Home studio artist taking commissions

Private buyers, gift buyers, local people wanting portraits or wall art, and small businesses wanting pieces for their space.

Sales of originals, limited edition prints and cards, plus fixed-price or quoted commissions. Many artists ask for a deposit before starting a commission.

• A developed art skill and recognisable style
• Photographing your work well
• Talking to buyers and managing commissions
• Pricing your time and materials fairly

• Register as a sole trader with HMRC once you start selling regularly and check what counts as trading income
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to working from home
• Keep copyright in your work and agree in writing what a commission buyer can do with it
• Consider public liability insurance if you sell at fairs and events
• Income can be uneven, so keep records and set money aside for tax

Estimated startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your materials, equipment and how you present your work. Treat it as an estimate and price your own supplies before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £150 to £1,500, depending on how much you sell and how many commissions you take. Income can be uneven, so keep records and set money aside for tax.

Check whether to register as a sole trader with HMRC once you sell regularly, and what counts as trading income. Also check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council must agree to home working, and consider public liability insurance for fairs.