By: Meredith Wilshire
Publication Date: December 18, 2023
Introduction
As an artist, your focus is likely on the artistic medium you choose – whether it’s photography, painting, video, or a mixed media approach. However, every artist also needs to understand web design. Why? Because you need to create a standout website.
A website is a great way to showcase your artistic style and direction. You can connect with your audience and show them where your upcoming works will be. You can also sell your art, promote your story, and create a digital portfolio to attract commissions.
Naturally, artist websites are some of the most creative sites we’ve seen. We’ve gathered a list of 21 of our favorite sites that caught our attention. These examples will inspire you to develop your digital presence. Let’s get started.
Best Examples of Artist Websites
1. Leah Gardner
The artist’s bright paintings stand out on the homepage and welcome viewers to the site. Here, you can click on the digital images of her works and get a better understanding of her style.
Gardner also includes a section for visitors to subscribe to her newsletter. The bright yellow call-to-action button stands out, grabbing the viewer’s attention.
What we love: Recently, Gardner collaborated with JIGGY to turn one of her paintings into a puzzle. How did I know? A pop-up appeared on the site upon loading, allowing me to shop through the link outside the platform. This was a great way to inform me of this new collaboration.
2. John Digan
Manila-based artist John Digan uses modern web design to showcase his drawings. The header on each page features a parallax scrolling effect, where the section background remains static while the foreground changes. My eyes continue to be drawn to the lively background even after finishing reading the text.
Digan then uses a full-page grid layout to display his works. Each part of the grid is one of his drawings. If you hover over an image, a pink layer appears, along with the reason for creating the work. With one click, you can learn more about the collection and see other works included in it.
What we love: The header is simple yet contains all the essential information. Digan strikes the perfect balance between text and lively images.
3. Jennifer Cartwright
Jennifer Cartwright knows how to use colors and fonts to enhance her site. Let’s take a look at the homepage to start. The background image is captivating, both literally and figuratively. Bright yellow is expertly used for her name and art symbol, creating a highlight for the current page you’re browsing. Only the site title appears in bold font.
The photo gallery section also exhibits simple design brilliance. When you click on an image, a lightbox effect occurs. You can see the image in a large size and learn more about it.
What we love: The site features limited buttons, enhancing navigation. There’s no distraction, and you know exactly what the artist wishes for you to do next.
4. Zaria Foreman
I love the opening image on Zaria Foreman’s site. You see her holding a picture of a frozen landscape while she paints the scene on a large canvas. Her bright blue shirt complements the painting, while its vibrant color draws your attention. As you scroll, the title disappears, allowing you to see the image in all its glory.
This image is a powerful introduction to Foreman’s passion for documenting climate change using pastel colors. If you want to connect with your subject, take a cue from Foreman’s sketchbook.
What we love: The site’s title includes different tabs that can be easily navigated. The printing section automatically redirects to an external store where visitors can shop.
5. Andrea Lohl Manning
When I think of galleries, I envision white walls that allow artwork to stand out. Andrea Lohl Manning’s site captures this aesthetic. The design is light and soothing, with works spaced out on the homepage.
It defines
The sidebar allows for easy navigation for the viewer. You can imagine yourself enjoying the works in a personal exhibition.
What we like: The Manning site also uses the lightbox effect. If you click on an image, it will appear on your screen at full size.
6. Andrew L. Shea
When visiting Andrew L. Shea’s website, you have two ways to view the homepage. The first is a digital gallery showcasing all of his recent paintings. You can scroll by clicking the arrow between works. The second option is a grid displaying all of his recent paintings at once.
I love how this simple feature focuses the user on the experience. You can choose the way you prefer to view the works on Shea’s site. The same effect carries over across every page on the platform.
What we like: Shea’s site is another excellent example of a website that highlights the work to engage the audience. The text is clean and consistent, and the images draw attention to the artist’s style.
7. Alonsa Guevara
The Alonsa Guevara website immerses you in the artist’s work immediately. The homepage features a single vibrant green painting. The only text? The artist’s name. You are invited to contemplate this initial work and assess its meaning.
The time spent looking becomes more rewarding. You can see an image of two birds exchanging kisses, an owl peeking from the background, and tree branches. You can see that Guevara’s style draws from optical illusion paintings and exploits visual tricks.
What we like: Once you click on her name, Guevara’s site transforms. There is more information about the work and the artist. You are already prepared and excited to learn more.
8. Stephen Kozar
Ignore the bold title. Am I looking at a painting or a photograph? At first, I thought it was a photograph. However, upon reading the title of the site, I learned that the image is a hyper-realistic painting. Your jaw drops when you see every detail so surprisingly.
The main site for Kozar makes his paintings look like photographs. The truth is only discovered after another look. The text is simple and does not overcrowd the work, allowing it to speak for itself.
What we like: Kozar wants to visit his studios, which he clearly outlines on his site. Here, you can find his address, a map to his shop, and an inviting message to say hello to his dog Lucy.
9. Livia Falcão
This site showcases some recent campaigns that Livia Falcão has worked on. If you are interested in commissioning her work, you will be smitten with all the big brands she has collaborated with. This includes Vogue magazine, a digital publication like Apartment Therapy, and the soda brand Fanta.
What we like: Falcão’s site utilizes animations. If multiple images are used in a post, the animations transition between them. If the images are used in animations, the picture moves.
10. Alex Wehr
Are you looking to purchase a piece of artwork? Can you imagine it in your home or workplace? Showing the works in the real world allows the viewer to visualize how the pieces will look in their personal space. Wehr knows this, as he displays images of his artwork in a gallery setting.
Seeing many works at once allows us to understand the artist’s pieces. The images are enjoyable to browse, as a rotating style has been incorporated on the homepage.
What we like: In the works section, you can find out what types of projects he has undertaken. This includes painting, printing, and decoration.
11. Charlie Palmer
Instead of static images or galleries, Charlie Palmer’s site opens with an introductory video. Here, we see the artist at work. We watch as he uses different mediums to create his pieces. The titles also include all the necessary information about the portfolio and shop.
What we like: Palmer’s site features a unique font that resembles graffiti. This reflects the inspiration from street art that influences his work.
12. Robert Wilson
Navigation typically appears at the top of the page. Robert Wilson’s site reflects this expectation. The links for navigating the site are placed where the footer is traditionally found. This allows his works to be the first thing you see.
He uses
Wilson has a black background for his site. This allows his works and the chosen font to stand out. The images move as you manage to stay, so you can see more and more of the artist’s work.
What we like: The site also indicates when the artist will next be exhibiting. You can see all upcoming exhibitions in a calendar display for convenience.
13. Marc Maggiori
Marc Maggiori’s website is another site that showcases both the artist and the artwork. Moreover, the site has a truly simple navigation. There are only three sections you can explore.
What we like: Maggiori doesn’t always have works available for purchase, so his site tells you when you can expect his next release. This creates a sense of excitement. Additionally, there’s a need to rush to buy when pieces are available.
14. Nathalie Lété
Nathalie Lété’s website showcases her work in an innovative way. When you load the homepage, a grid of icons appears in Lété’s style. The font on the site looks like handwriting, and the background is inspired by a sketchbook page. The linked background uses a parallax scrolling effect to add extra depth.
What we like: Lété immerses you in her style immediately, making the website exploration interactive and fun.
15. Owen Gent
As an artist, you likely have several sources of income. You can create custom works for publications, paint book covers, or sell your works directly. Owen Gent showcases all his offerings in the header of the site. This makes it easy for potential clients to explore the works he does.
In his header, Gent also has a link to the courses he has created. These links direct you to an external platform where you can learn more.
What we like: Gent’s work stands out immediately on the site. You can easily identify the style he specializes in.
16. Nedavious
If you are reading this article, you have definitely used a desktop computer at least once. You know how to click on folders to find what you are looking for. Nedavious uses this familiar format as a unique way to showcase his works. He utilizes desktop-like folders, allowing viewers to click and interact with the platform.
What we like: Nedavious creates creative projects by building a visual world. This is reflected in a 3D DJ on the homepage, an animated logo, and an alien lying across his site.
17. Timothy Goodman
I could stare at Timothy Goodman’s homepage all day. The top image has a coloring book quality, where the white space enhances the yellow that makes the design pop. Moreover, the longer you look, the more the image moves. The mouth opens, the letters light up, and the hand moves up and down. This captivates me and makes me spend more time on the site.
What we like: The homepage has only two navigation options on the left side, which are the most prominent. You are drawn to learn more about the works he does or about his biography. The calls to action are clear.
18. Jessie Maxwell Burden
This website opens with an engaging video welcoming viewers. The image itself changes over time. The eyes blink, and the text slides. The playful and whimsical design makes the site stand out. Colors play a bigger role in the playful nature of the page.
What we like: Burden clearly presents her clientele on her site. Here, you can see well-known brands like Grubhub, Nickelodeon, Marvel, and ESPN. If you’re interested in working with her, you already know that Burden has collaborated with well-known brands.
19. Shira Bar
As with many artist websites we’ve seen, the art is presented in front of you on the homepage. The viewer’s eye is drawn directly to the work. The artist also includes key tabs at the top of the page, allowing the viewer to click and learn more.
What we like:
We like: You can tell from the first image of the Bar site that it is photographed. The image is clear but has distinctive film grains. It allows you to infer the medium of the art.
20. Wim Delvoye
If you have ever played The Sims, you are familiar with the pixelated view of the city you created. Wim Delvoye celebrates this popular game in WimCity, the first image you see on his site. Here, you can click on different plots of land and discover his works through other pages.
What we like: Delvoye uses a popular video game as a unique subject for his site. Navigation is easy and interactive. I enjoyed exploring his artworks.
How to Design an Artist Website
1. Plan what to showcase.
Your website should display two things: your art and your business. You will need to choose the works you want to showcase on your site. These works should be the most representative of your personality and style. If you choose to showcase all your works, select your best pieces for the homepage.
Next, you should list the types of offerings you provide for sale. Do you take commissions? Do you work for magazines? Do you have a shop? Your website should be clear on this point.
When considering how your website will look, create a list of elements and designs you want to see in your work or yourself. The examples above are a great starting point.
2. Understand your software needs.
Once you know what you want to showcase, it’s time to be honest about your technical skills. If you are an artist who can code, you may be able to realize your vision yourself. If not, you might consider hiring a web designer or using a customizable template.
You will have a content management system or website builder that offers a range of templates or themes. Here, you can look for options that relate to your artistic vision. Always ensure that the template you choose is mobile-friendly, as many people browse the internet on their smartphones.
Looking for a content management system to get started? HubSpot offers a free, no-code content management system.
3. Update and customize the design.
The fun starts after you choose where to build your site. To capture your unique brand identity and make the design your own, you will want to include the following on your site:
- Your logo.
- A color palette and typography that match your artistic style.
- New text to describe your works.
- Social media icons.
- Custom forms.
Once you take this step, you can see your design come to life.
4. Add a store.
If you want to sell your artworks, add an online store. You can add various plugins to sell prints, merchandise, and greeting cards if you have them. If you already have an online store, you can link it externally in the navigation menu on your site.
Best Website Designs for Inspiration
Although the styles of art vary among artists, all their websites use the basic principles of good design. Take tips from the examples you like, then combine them into something that is truly your own. We know you want the work to speak for itself, but this process can help you reach new eyes and customers.
Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/website/artist-website-examples
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