

Picarto is geared almost exclusively toward digital artists rather than traditional artists. It allows artists to create their own livestreams and follow and subscribe to other artists, although artists must sign up for paid accounts on the site if they wish to receive even half of the profits of subscriptions to their channels.

This site holds a lot of promise for art streamers, and the competition on the platform is not yet as steep as it is on mainstays like YouTube and Facebook. These include tips, cheers, and subscriptions. Twitch audiences are accustomed to lengthy streams - as long as 3+ hours - and the site offers multiple ways to monetize your streams with support from viewers. Twitch: Though best known as a platform for gamers, Twitch has a quickly growing creative community, with popular categories for both art and makers and crafting.Though it does have a livestreaming feature, you can’t integrate any third-party software for your lives, which means you’re limited to Instagram’s built-in streaming features. Instagram: Instagram is a visually driven platform that’s great for showing off your artwork, building a fan base, and communicating directly with followers through DMs.YouTube: Competition for eyeballs is steep on YouTube, but it’s an ideal platform for longer content - an hour or more - and you’ll find that fans who subscribe on YouTube are some of the most dedicated around.If you want your streams to be part of a larger presence on one platform, however, it’s hard to beat Facebook.

People typically expect shorter videos on Facebook - think half an hour or less - so in some ways it’s not quite as well-suited for lengthy art streams.

And one effective way to build such a community is through regular art livestreaming. The stereotype of the starving artist need not apply to those who’ve found or built online communities for their artwork. You can take (or offer!) affordable online art workshops, share and sell your work in virtual galleries, and monetize your work through online sales and fan subscriptions. You no longer need expensive classes to hone your skills, a brick and mortar gallery to sell your pieces, or a generous benefactor to support your craft. The internet has changed the game for aspiring and established artists alike.
