Article written by Valeria Lasso.
Sometimes when we create art, we’re not sure what to do with it. Art is something we make because we love doing it; we love the process and being able to look at the finished result. But once that part is done, what can we do with it?
You can easily hang up your art on your wall, or gift it to your friends and family. You can even try to sell it. Although, I’m pretty sure we can all agree that selling your art can be difficult, as we live in a world where your art is either worth thousands or nothing at all – and if you read one of my earlier articles about the price of art, you’ll know how I feel about overpriced art.
You can also share your art online. There are numerous art communities on the internet that are constantly showcasing their art and gaining exposure from them, and these art communities are great if you’re a shy artist. Sometimes the thought of showing your friends and family the art you made can make you feel a little nervous or even nauseous. With these art communities, you don’t have to worry about it.
Another good reason to share your art online – the feedback. Sure, you can get feedback from your friends and family, but let’s be honest, it’s going to be biased because they care about you and your feelings. If what you did is sh*t, none of your friends are going to tell you. But, when you put up your art on those platforms, you will receive honest and unbiased feedback from fellow artists like yourself. You can also give others feedback on their work, and can take inspiration from what other artists have created and work on perfecting your own techniques.
These online art communities are also a great way to get exposure, especially if your goal is to make art for a living. Some of those platforms allow you to create a portfolio that is easy to be viewed by hiring studios, so you don’t have to waste time and energy creating your own blog. Even though it does mean you have to share the space with others, it’s better in the long-run, especially if what you’re looking for is exposure.
This is the part where I tell you that I got your back, in case you don’t know of any good places to share your art. I took the time to find all the cool places you can use to share your art so that you won’t have to!
ArtStation
Art Station is the perfect place to share your art if you’re looking to make art professionally as a way of earning money. When you go on this platform, you’ll see some of the best works in the field. This one might be a little intimidating because of the clear and professional talent the artists on this website display, but if you can measure up to them, then this is a website that I would really recommend. Many studios use this platform to find artists to hire because this site allows you to create a portfolio that is easy to find and view.
Website: https://www.artstation.com/
DeviantArt
If you’re looking for a friendlier site to share your art, DeviantArt is definitely a community worth checking out. It is one of the largest online social networks for artists and art enthusiasts. The Deviants (members of the site) share tens of thousands of original pieces of art every single day – everything from painting and sculpture to digital art, pixel art, films and anime. They are an inclusive and supportive community that helps artists find their identity through self-expression.
Website: https://www.deviantart.com/
CGSociety
This one is not as friendly-looking as DeviantArt, but it sure looks sleek and professional. The art you’ll find on this site is truly amazing to look at. The Art Society aims to inspire, empower and engage artists from all over the world. They are also great for finding out about the latest happenings in the global art community.
Website: http://www.cgsociety.org/
Dribbble & Behance
Photos from Dribbble and Behance
I’ve put both of these together because if you go onto either of them, you might confuse them to be the same thing. They both look very similar. Behance definitely looks a bit more on the artsy side, but besides that, they’re practically identical.
They are both communities for web designers, graphic designers, illustrators, icon artists, typographers, logo designers, and other creative artists where they can share small screenshots (shots) that show their work, process, and current projects. These are both very friendly and easy to work with. They might not seem as sleek as some of the previous websites, but they are great in terms of getting exposure in the work field, as well as feedback.
Website: https://dribbble.com/
Website: https://www.behance.net/
Saatchi Art
This one is a bit of a bonus. This site works mostly for selling your art, and it makes it so very easy to do it. You can exhibit and sell your art – and if you want to buy art, you can find anything from paintings, drawings, sculptures to photography in a range of prices. This site isn’t the best if you’re looking for feedback; although, if your pieces get bought or not, it's a pretty clear indication of how good your work is.
Website: https://www.saatchiart.com/
There are a ton of other online art communities that you can check out, but these are the ones that I found were the best and most used ones. I resisted mentioning Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and other general social media networks because those are not dedicated to just art. Although they are also a very good way to share your art, you’ll find way too many things on those websites that might not be art-related. So, if what you’re looking for is an art-centered site, the ones I just told you about are a pretty good start.
Sharing your art is an important part of the creative process, and it’s a good way of knowing where you stand as an artist and what you can do to improve your art. I know that it might seem intimidating at first, and you might feel too lazy to make a profile and put a whole portfolio together, but remember that no one is making you do this. If you love art, and want to be involved with more people that do, too, then joining an online art community should be something worth considering.
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