DeviantArt is one of the oldest online art communities, home to illustrators, digital painters, photographers and fan artists. Beyond sharing work, it lets artists sell premium downloads, gated galleries, subscriptions, exclusive pieces and commissions to fans. Selling tools need a paid Core membership, and fees fall as you move up the plans.
At a glance
| What it is | An online art community with built-in selling tools |
| How you earn | Downloads, galleries, subscriptions, exclusives and commissions |
| Requirement | A paid Core membership to sell |
| Platform fees | From 12% down to 2.5% depending on plan and product |
| Payouts | PayPal, Stripe or BitPay, or DeviantArt Points |
| Where it works | Worldwide |
What you can sell
Premium Downloads let fans buy high-resolution files. Premium Galleries give one-time access to a collection. Subscriptions offer tiers of exclusive content each month. Exclusives sell one-of-a-kind pieces, such as character adoptables, to a single buyer. Commissions let fans order custom work. DeviantArt has also added physical arts and crafts listings.
Core plans and fees
You need a Core membership to sell. Fees depend on your plan and what you sell. On downloads, galleries and subscriptions, fees run from 12% on the entry Core plans to 5% on Core Pro and 2.5% on Core Pro+. Exclusives carry higher fees, and commissions have no platform fee for Core members. Card, PayPal or BitPay processing applies on top. If your Core membership lapses, fees rise to 20% and you can’t list new items. DeviantArt often runs discounts on annual Core plans.
Building sales
Sales follow audience. Post regularly, join groups in your niche, take part in challenges and engage with commenters. Fan art and character designs, adoptables, and tutorials or brushes often sell well. Offering a free sample before a paid gallery helps convert followers.
Recent changes
DeviantArt has been through a rocky patch, with criticism over AI-generated art, the end of its mobile app in 2026 and limits on free downloads. It still has a large audience, but check whether your followers are active before relying on it.
Getting started
Create an account and post your best work to build a following. Once you have engaged fans, choose a Core plan that fits how much you expect to sell and set up your first products. Track sales in Shop Analytics.
Commissions and adoptables
Commissions are one of the most reliable ways to earn on DeviantArt. You can open a commission widget on your profile, set prices for sketches, colour pieces or full illustrations, and manage orders through the site. Core members pay no platform fee on commissions. Adoptables, which are original character designs sold to a single buyer, are popular in some communities and sell as Exclusives.
Pricing your work
Research what artists with a similar style and following charge. Start with a small, clear menu of options, and raise prices as demand grows. For subscriptions, offer a low entry tier so fans can support you cheaply, with higher tiers for extras like sketches or process videos.
Protecting your art
Post watermarked or lower-resolution previews publicly and keep full-resolution files for paying buyers. DeviantArt also lets you opt your work out of third-party AI datasets in your settings, which many artists choose to do.
Owen’s take
DeviantArt can turn an existing art following into extra income, and fees are low on the higher plans. The Core requirement is a cost before you earn, so I’d only upgrade once you have fans asking to buy. Spread your art across other channels too.
Who it suits
It suits digital artists with an active DeviantArt following, especially in fan art and character design. It suits less well new artists without an audience, who pay for Core before earning.
Similar options
- Patreon is built for memberships and fan support.
- INPRNT sells high-quality art prints.
- Etsy suits physical and digital art products.
- Gumroad sells digital downloads without a membership fee.
More options are in Ecommerce and Designing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large, established art community
- Many ways to sell
- Fees as low as 2.5%
Cons
- Paid Core plan needed to sell
- Platform controversies in recent years
- Mobile app discontinued
FAQ
Do I need Core to sell on DeviantArt?
Yes. Selling tools require a Core membership.
What are DeviantArt’s selling fees?
From 12% down to 2.5% depending on your Core plan and product, plus payment processing. Exclusives cost more; commissions have no platform fee for Core members.
How do I get paid on DeviantArt?
Through PayPal, Stripe or BitPay, or by converting earnings to Points.
What happens if my Core plan lapses?
Fees rise to 20% on sales and you can’t list new items.
What sells best on DeviantArt?
Fan art, character designs, adoptables and art collections for engaged followers.
