Art-only non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have the potential to fetch insanely high price tags. Of course, the price tag depends on the quality of the art itself. For example, a piece known as “The First 5000 Days” consisted of 5,000 pictures taken over a span of more than 13 years. The artwork sold for a whopping $69.3 million. 

Of course, fetching such a tremendous price tag is rare – but not impossible. 

So, what tools do you need to create an art-only NFT?

Tool #1: A Quality Camera

Beeple’s “The First 5000 Days” NFT was a collage of 5,000 different images, all taken with – you guessed it – a camera. After all, photography is one of the purest forms of art. However, photography isn’t the only form of art you might need a camera for. 

If you’re a painter, or you draw, or even a musician, chances are, you’ll need a decent camera to turn your art into an NFT. You’ll need to take a picture of your painting, your drawing, or even record a short video for your music to attach these forms of art to your NFT. 

The good news is that you may not have to buy a camera. 

Most smartphones come with high-quality cameras built in. So, if you have a smartphone like an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or another brand with a high-quality camera, you won’t have to pay a penny for this bit of equipment. 

Tool #2: Photoshop (or Similar Program)

Photoshop isn’t just for photographers. If you’re an artist taking pictures of your work to convert them to NFTs, the program, or something similar, is a must. You can use the platform to edit images you’ve taken, whether the image itself is the art or it’s an image of art you created using other mediums. 

You can also use Photoshop to create digital artworks, some of which have proven to be some of the most expensive NFTs ever sold. 

For example, “Not Forgotten, But Done” by Whisbe raked in a cool million dollars. The piece is a gold digital piece of art on a black background featuring the skeleton of a gummy bear in a golden box with glass panels. 

Tool #3: An NFT Marketplace

Finally, you’ll need an NFT marketplace that allows you to mint your art. Keep in mind that not all marketplaces are equal. The fees and party that pays the fees often vary wildly from one option to the next. So, do your research before choosing a marketplace. In particular look for:

  • Minting Fees. At some point, someone will pay for the energy used to mint an NFT. Look into what those minting fees are and when they’re paid. 
  • Gasless Minting. Some marketplaces offer gasless minting, meaning you don’t pay to mint your NFT until you sell it. However, in many cases, there’s a tradeoff. Fees for immediate minting are often quite a bit lower than fees for gasless minting. 
  • Audience. You’re an audience. Not only do you want to get your art in front of the largest audience possible, but you also want to make sure the audience is targeted to you. Look into the NFTs on the platform and the types of collectibles that sell the most. The platform with the largest audience of collectors interested in the type of art you produce will give you the best chances of success. 

That’s All for Today

Come back next week to learn the tools you need to create NFTs with utility. 

Pro Tip. The tools on this list are tools that are an absolute must to create art-only NFTs. There are several other tools available, some free, others with a price tag. Nonetheless, there’s no shame in trying out new tools with compelling features to help bring your art to the next level and captivate your audience.