Software Tools for Artists for Creating, Editing and Managing your Art Business and a few recommended Books for Making a Living as an Artist

There are many basic software packages on the market that could be used for all types of businesses when it comes to creating and sending newsletters, or managing inventory, and keeping track of client's contact information such as Microsoft Office, and some artist use programs like Quicken to manage their accounting of sales, and expenses,  however, there are actual software program packages, that are designed specifically for the Artist and their art business.  

Here are four Artist Business Tools that you may be interested in.

Artist's Butler has a built in feature for creating labels for slides, preparing a price list, customer invoices, consignment sheets, your mailing list and customer invoicing and features to help maintain your resume.
It can import to and export from an FileMaker database.  It can pull images from your camera, allowing you to create records instantly.

Working Artist  includes a calendar for managing events, appointments, and course studies and has a reminder feature.  It has features to allow you to track an art registry and limited editions of giclees and other prints.  It also includes a feature to track your supply inventory that way you always know when you need to re-order art supplies. One big feature, I think is worth mentioning, is the ability to create a price grid based on the painting size, it's medium, and the subject of your painting.    It does create invoices and track sales, although, Working Artist recommends using this software along with another accounting software tool.

Studio includes almost all of the functions of the two mentioned above but it also offers the ability to be fully integrated with Microsoft Office Software. For example, instead of manually transferring all of your art contacts, such as suppliers, clients, galleries, etc... it can import all of your contacts from Microsoft outlook, and it can also work with Microsoft Word and other programs in Microsoft office.  This program was designed initially for professional galleries, so you can be rest assured that the areas of presentation and sales are completely covered capabilities in this software package.

Archer Artist also known as Masterpiece Artist is highly recommended, especially If you have a studio gallery This software is perfect for handling sales. It is easily integrated with point-of-sale hardware such as a scanner that reads bar codes and also linking to cash drawers.  This software package is used by many professional art galleries. It  also enables you to use the software to upload to http://www.masterpieceonline.com./ The pricing has also been changed to FREE if you sign up for a website. Small monthly fee only will apply. http://www.masterpiecesolutions.com/

The following is a list of Software packages for Artists that are generally for creating and editing art. 
 Of course this is not all of them, but it will get you started in understanding how each one could possibly benefit you as an Artist.


Poser Figure Artist  intermediate users
Corel Painter X  Expert recommended
Adobe Photo Shop Elements great for beginners
Adobe Photoshop intermediate users
Artworks Basic  great for beginners
3D Virtual Figure Drawing Studio great for beginners
Gimp intermediate users and this program is FREE

Many programs such as these will offer a trial version so you can try them out before you buy them.  The majority of programs today are Windows compatible but do not despair because if you are operating with Macintosh software then you can always utilize emulation software, in order for Windows based programs to work with your Macintosh software.

Here are some recommended Artist Books for Making a living as an Artist