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Jan 10 • 40 mins
Blockchain

What is NFT art?

Introduction

NFT

Since the introduction of the non-fungible token concept, the NFTs were touted as a new way for digital creators to express themselves while protecting their digital ownership, allowing artists and brands to share and protect their work as never before. 

NFTs became one of the most significant and resilient contemporary innovations in tech, finance, art, fashion, sports, and memes. Most crypto enthusiasts consider it the future of digital art, offering artists new ways of earning from their creations. 

Let’s dig deeper into the topic of NFTs to understand what it is, how to use it and how to benefit from it. 

What is NFT?

NFT stands for a non-fungible token, meaning it’s unique and irreplaceable. The main difference between an NFT and cryptocurrency is trading value. NFTs can’t be exchanged for equal value for each other because they possess a unique digital signature. 

Anything, including digital files, mp3s, or MP4 video files that are tokenized and stored on the digital ledger. Practically, any digital file can be an NFT, for example, a viral meme or even the first-ever posted tweet or street art work. 

NFTs are bought and sold on the NFT marketplaces like Open Sea, Rarible, Nifty Gateway, and others, which usually function as digital auction houses where bidders can suggest their price and pay with cryptocurrency, for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum or Dogecoin. As most of the marketplaces are built on Ethereum, Ether is the most common cryptocurrency used for purchasing non-fungible tokens. 

What is NFT Art?

nft art

Basically, NFT art is a digital representation of an item that can be traded, used, or stored on a blockchain. NFT only exists on blockchain, where the ownership of it is recorded. 

When NFTs are sold for money, this means there are new opportunities for artists and collectors to own the work they create. 

Almost anything can fall into the NFT art category, from the regular graphic art to GIFs, animations, music and emojis. With the power of smart contracts, anyone can create an NFT file, which gives any individual or organization unlimited control over what their artwork looks like and how it behaves in different situations. This type of artwork has never existed before, which makes it both intriguing and intriguing to know what it will become over time.

History of NFT art 

In 2012, digital collectibles were first introduced to the world in the “Coloured Coins” paper written by Meni Rosenfield. The idea of creating a digital collectible that could be traded like an asset on the blockchain was revolutionary. In 2014 digital artist Kevin McCoy created the first ever NFT on the Namecoin blockchain called Quantum.

By 2014, Counterparty was introduced to the world, which provided users with a way to create their own tradable assets. The idea gained traction in 2017, when Cryptopunks, Cryptokitties, and Decentraland contributed to the crypto art movement.

2021 is believed to be the year that NFTs became mainstream as prestigious centuries-old auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s began selling NFT art. The metaverse recognized the surge in demand for NFTs and other blockchains began exploring their own versions of NFTs.

The end of 2021 saw multiple video game companies developing their own blockchain games which enabled players to trade in-game items using ERC-721 tokens on platforms like Counterparty or Ethereum. In 2022, we saw several platforms emerge like CryptoKitties where users could purchase kitties with Ethereum or another cryptocurrency.

The market capitalization of NFT art

The market of NFTs started to emerge in 2022 and continues to grow. Even though it’s hard to precisely estimate it due to the structure of NFTs, each piece has its own market because of its uniqueness. According to the reports from Nonfungible.com, an online collection of digital collectibles, metaverses, utilities, arts, sports, games and DeFi was worth about $2 billion by the end of summer 2021, with NFT art worth over $650 million. 

By the beginning of 2023, the market capitalization of the NFTs reached $7.13 billion, though from January 2022 to September 2022 NFT trading volume collapsed by 97%, explained by the fact that the hype around digital collectibles started to go down, though there were still a lot of high-dollar sales. 

How does NFT art work

Essentially, NFTs are like physical collector’s items, only digital. So instead of getting an actual oil painting to hang on the wall, the buyer gets a digital file instead.

They also get exclusive ownership rights. That’s right: NFTs can have only one owner at a time. NFTs’ unique data makes it easy to verify their ownership and transfer tokens between owners. The owner or creator can also store specific information inside them. For instance, artists can sign their artwork by including their signature in an NFT’s metadata.

In the NFT art life cycle, there are four stages: creation, uploading to the blockchain, selling and distributing.

Stage 1 

The first stage is the creation of an NFT. This can be done by anyone with a computer or a smartphone. For example, an artist can create a unique piece of art that they want to share with others.

Stage 2 

Next comes uploading it to the blockchain. In order to do this, you have to register an account on one of these platforms like [platform name], which allows you to upload your work onto their platform. Once uploaded, you can set up a sale page so that people can buy your work directly from your account.

Stage 3

The artist then needs to sell your piece of art and distribute it across various platforms that offer NFTs such as OpenSea, Rarible, etc. where users can buy pieces of art from other creators/artists as well.

Examples of NFT Art 

NFT art is changing the way that visual art is created and consumed. No longer are buyers limited to physical works; now, digital works can be purchased and authenticated with the help of blockchain technology. Examples of NFT art are popping up everywhere, from the most expensive piece to date, Beeple’s EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS, to more commonplace digital items like memes and viral media.

NFT art has also challenged previously held notions of what art can be. Memes and other internet culture artifacts, previously intangible items, can now be bought and sold for thousands of dollars. This has created a new avenue for monetizing digital art, allowing artists to profit from their work in ways not previously possible. For example, ‘Disaster Girl’ and ‘Success Kid’ have both been sold for thousands of dollars, while ‘Charlie Bit My Finger’ was also sold as an NFT.

A great example of NFT art is the Mona Lisa, which was also created by Beeple and sold for the highest price to date for an NFT artwork. Beeple’s artwork consists of a Mona Lisa painting, with the background digitally replaced with a green landscape. This artwork was sold at auction for an astonishing $69,346,250.

When it comes to NFT art, there are some artists that stand out from the crowd. London-based digital artist and crypto enthusiast XCopy has sold 9,575 NFT pieces, often playing with death and dystopian worlds. His Super Rare piece, All Time High in the City, sold for an incredible $1,987,556.80, making it one of the highest priced NFT artworks to date.

Tyler Hobbs is another artist who has had great success with NFTs. He has sold 1,018 artworks and his highest-priced piece, “Incomplete Control,” sold for $81,227.67. His pieces look like exhibits from an art museum and are definitely one-of-a-kind.

Dmitri Cherniak has had his fair share of success in the NFT art world too. His highest sale was for Self Portrait #1 at an astonishing $2,682,000.00. Unlike a traditional self-portrait, his style is abstract, colorful and geometric, recalling much of the classic modern art.

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Celebrities launched NFTs too!

NFTs are the hot topic of the moment, with celebrities taking the plunge and making their own non-fungible tokens. 

Rapper Eminem has made US$1.78 million from his first collection of ‘Shady Con’ NFTs on Nifty Gateway. Iconic artist Damien Hirst has launched his latest project “The Currency”, which is a mix of physical art and digital NFTs. Each of the 10,000 unique hand-painted A4 sheets of the project comes with a unique NFT that is worth US$2,000.

Auction house Christie’s has also joined the NFT movement, teaming up with the Andy Warhol Foundation to mint 5 of the artist’s 1985 works, which were sold for a whopping US$3.4 million. Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai has also made his mark in the NFT space, turning never-before-seen footage from his film In The Mood For Love (2000) into an NFT.

The latest addition to this list of celebrities is none other than Paris Hilton, Queen of Pop Culture and Entrepreneur. She recently dropped her first NFT with Super Plastic, a vinyl toy, and digital collectibles company backed by notable investors such as Google Ventures and Justin Timberlake.

Rapper Snoop Dogg also jumped on the bandwagon and released his NFT collection called “A Journey with the Dogg”. This collection featured Snoop’s memories from his early years, NFT-inspired artwork, an original track called “NFT,” and “Snoop Dogge Coins.” The NFT drop lasted a limited 48 hours and made Snoop Dogg over $100,000 from one of the pieces sold.

Musician Grimes has proven to be one of the most successful NFT creators, making millions from her collections of digital art. Her WarNymph collection of 10 pieces earned her over $6 million, making her one of the bestselling NFT creators and leading to a high demand for her works.

The benefits of linking physical art to NFTs

By linking physical art with an NFT, artists are able to create unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that can be tracked and exchanged digitally.

The benefits of linking physical art to NFTs are numerous and can help artists reach a larger audience, create more value for their work, and secure the ownership of their art.

One of the primary benefits of linking physical art to NFTs is that it can help to increase the value of the artwork, as the digital token is a secure way to store and transfer ownership of the physical artwork. This can also help to create a secure market for the artwork, as the digital token is a reliable way to prove ownership of the artwork.

Another benefit of linking physical art to NFTs is that it can help to increase the visibility of the artwork. By creating an NFT for the artwork, it can be tracked and exchanged on a variety of platforms, such as Ethereum, and this can help to spread the word about the artwork and build a larger audience for it.

By creating an NFT for the artwork, the ownership of the artwork is recorded on the blockchain and is immutable, meaning that it cannot be changed or taken away. This provides the artist with a secure way to protect their artwork and ensure that they are the only one who holds the rights to the artwork.

There are many benefits to linking physical artwork to an NFT. It increases the artwork’s visibility, makes it easier to trade, provides security, and increases the value of the artwork. For artists looking to embrace the digital world, linking physical artwork to an NFT is a great way to do it.

What do NFTs mean for creators?

monetization

The art world is changing quickly, and Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) are leading the way. With NFTs, creators can tokenize digital art and receive royalties for the works they create.

With NFTs, creators can tokenize digital art, music, and even tweets and receive royalties for their work. This means the artist can benefit from the sale of their artwork multiple times, rather than just once. Additionally, because NFTs are built on the blockchain, it makes them easier to track, verify, and trade. This makes them a great tool for artists who want to monetize their work and gain more recognition.

Creators can also benefit from the transparency of the blockchain. As all transactions are securely recorded, it makes it easier to track any potential copyright infringement or theft. By tokenizing their works, creators can also make their artworks more secure and harder to replicate, thus protecting their work.

NFTs open up a world of possibilities for creators to monetize and protect their digital art. With the help of the blockchain, creators can now receive royalties for their work and ensure its authenticity and rarity. This could be a game-changer for artists and creators looking to make a living from their digital works.

NFT Art Characteristics

NFTs have a few unique characteristics that make them stand out from other digital art forms. 

Verifiable

NFTs are tokenized on secure blockchain networks, meaning that their authenticity and ownership can be verified. This is great news for art collectors, as it ensures that their piece of art is safe and secure. Since the ownership of the art is stored on the blockchain, it is impossible to counterfeit or duplicate the art, giving it an extra layer of protection.

Indestructible

Unlike physical artworks, which can be damaged or destroyed, NFTs are digital and exist on the blockchain. This means that no matter what happens to the physical artwork, the NFT will always exist and can be preserved for generations. 

Ownership

Once someone buys an NFT, they own the digital artwork, and no one else can claim or remove it from them. This is a huge benefit to digital art collectors, as it gives them complete control over their artwork and makes sure that it won’t be taken away from them.

NFT art is sold with a unique digital certificate that verifies its authenticity and ownership. This means that the artwork can be sold and transferred from one collector to another without any worries.

What tools are needed to create a digital art NFT?

NFTs are a new and exciting way to bring your digital artwork to life and make it available to buyers around the world. Before you can get started, though, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools in place.

First, you’ll need to have a cryptocurrency wallet to cover the cost of minting your digital artwork as an NFT. This involves purchasing and transferring cryptocurrency into the wallet, which you can then use to pay for the cost of minting. There are many different types of digital wallets available, and you’ll need to find the one that fits your needs best.

​​Next, you’ll need to find a web-based platform for creating digital art. There are lots of options out there, from simple drag-and-drop tools to sophisticated 3D modeling programs. Do some research to find out which one will work best for your specific project. 

If you’re looking to create a 3D NFT, you’ll need to use a 3D modeling program like Blender or Maya to create the artwork. You’ll also need to find an NFT marketplace that supports 3D NFTs, such as Makersplace or SuperRare.

Finally, you’ll need to select one of the popular blockchain networks that support NFTs. Ethereum is the most popular, but other networks such as Flow, Wax, and Hicetnunc are also popular. Each network has its own unique features, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with each one before making your selection.

Overall, creating a digital art NFT requires a combination of creativity, software, and technical knowledge. It’s important to understand that creating a digital art NFT is more than just drawing something and uploading it. It requires a lot of technical know-how and skill to successfully create and sell a digital art NFT. 

NFT blockchain platforms

With this trend, a range of NFT blockchain platforms are becoming available for artists and creators to create, trade, and store unique digital art pieces.

Ethereum is the most popular blockchain platform, and it has grown in popularity since its launch in 2015. The platform is popular due to its support for smart contracts and its ability to support decentralized applications (dApps). This makes it perfect for creating and trading digital art, as it allows for trustless transactions and asset tracking. Ethereum also makes use of ‘gas’, which is used to pay for transactions on the network.

Tezos is a newer blockchain platform that has quickly become a favorite amongst those looking to create and trade digital art. Tezos stands out due to its use of ‘Proof of Stake’ consensus, which allows for faster and cheaper transactions compared to other networks. It’s also known for its high levels of security and reliability.

Polkadot is another platform that is gaining in popularity due to its ability to support multiple blockchains. This means that digital art and other collectibles can be stored in a secure environment on the Polkadot blockchain. Polkadot is also known for its scalability and its ability to support smart contracts.

Cardano is a blockchain platform that is quickly becoming popular due to its use of proof-of-stake consensus. This makes it a great choice for those looking for secure and reliable transactions. Cardano also has a high level of scalability, which allows it to support multiple blockchains and expand as needed.

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Solana is another blockchain platform that is gaining in popularity due to its ability to support high transaction volumes. This makes it a great choice for those looking to trade digital art and other collectibles. It also has a high level of security and reliability, making it a safe choice for those looking to create or own NFTs.

Popular NFT marketplaces

nft marketplace

We’re here to provide an overview of some of the most popular NFT marketplaces. 

Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the most popular NFT marketplaces, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchange and it also offers NFTs. It has a wide range of NFTs, including art, collectibles, gaming items, and more. 

Nifty Gateway

Nifty Gateway is a relatively new NFT marketplace, but it has quickly become one of the most popular. It’s easy to use and offers a great selection of art and collectibles. It also has its own native currency, NIFTY, which can be used to purchase NFTs. 

SuperRare

SuperRare is another popular marketplace that focuses solely on art. It has a great selection of digital art from talented creators around the world. It’s also one of the few NFT marketplaces that offer a way for collectors to buy and sell art directly from each other. 

Async Art

Async Art is an innovative marketplace that focuses on interactive digital art. It uses blockchain technology to allow creators to create and sell interactive art pieces. It’s an exciting new way to experience art and has quickly become one of the most popular NFT marketplaces. 

MakersPlace

MakersPlace is a popular marketplace that focuses on digital collectibles. It’s designed to make buying and selling digital collectibles easy and secure. It also offers its own native currency, MAKER, which can be used to purchase NFTs. 

KnownOrigin

KnownOrigin is a popular marketplace that focuses on digital art. It has a wide range of art from talented creators around the world. It also has its own native currency, KNOWN, which can be used to purchase NFTs. 

Foundation

Foundation is an innovative NFT marketplace that focuses on tokenizing physical assets. It allows users to tokenize physical assets such as art, real estate, and collectibles. It’s an exciting way to own physical assets in a digital form. 

Zora

Zora is an NFT marketplace focused on digital art. It allows creators to showcase and sell their digital artworks to collectors. All artworks are verified on the Ethereum blockchain and sold in the form of ERC-721 tokens.

OpenSea

OpenSea is one of the largest NFT marketplaces. It allows creators to showcase and sell their digital artworks to collectors. All artworks are verified on the Ethereum blockchain and sold in the form of ERC-721 tokens.

MythMarket

MythMarket is a marketplace designed for creators of digital art and collectibles. It has a wide range of art and collectibles from talented creators around the world. It also has its own native currency, MYTH, which can be used to purchase NFTs. 

How to Make, & Sell NFT Art: A Step by Step Guide

Here we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make and sell NFT art.

1. Decide on the Concept:

Before you can make and sell an NFT art piece, you need to decide on the concept first. What sort of artwork do you want to create? What is the theme? What size and format will you use? These are all important questions you should consider when deciding on the concept. Once you have an idea, you can then move on to the next step.

2. Choose the Blockchain:

Choosing the right blockchain is essential when it comes to creating and selling an NFT art piece. There are a variety of blockchains to choose from such as Ethereum, EOS, and Tron. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research before deciding which one is best for you.

3. Set Up a Wallet:

Once you’ve chosen the blockchain, you’ll need to set up a wallet. This will allow you to securely store your digital assets and manage your transactions.

4. Choose the Right NFT Marketplace:

There are many different NFT marketplaces available, such as OpenSea, SuperRare, and Nifty Gateway. Each has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.

5. Upload and Mint the Digital Art Piece to the Platform:

Once you’ve chosen the marketplace, you can then upload and mint your digital art piece. This process will differ depending on the platform you’re using, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the process before you start.

6. Promote Your NFT:

Now that you’ve created and uploaded your NFT art piece, it’s time to promote it. You can do this by sharing it on social media, participating in online discussions, and engaging with the community.

7. Price the NFT and Put it For Sale:

It’s important to consider the value of your artwork and decide on a fair price. Once you’ve done this, you can then put your NFT up for sale on the marketplace.

How to Buy and sell NFT Art Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make and sell NFT art.

1. Decide on the Concept:

Before you can make and sell an NFT art piece, you need to decide on the concept first. What sort of artwork do you want to create? What is the theme? What size and format will you use? These are all important questions you should consider when deciding on the concept. Once you have an idea, you can then move on to the next step.

2. Choose the Blockchain:

Choosing the right blockchain is essential when it comes to creating and selling an NFT art piece. There are a variety of blockchains to choose from such as Ethereum, EOS, and Tron. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research before deciding which one is best for you.

3. Set Up a Wallet:

Once you’ve chosen the blockchain, you’ll need to set up a wallet. This will allow you to securely store your digital assets and manage your transactions.

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4. Choose the Right NFT Marketplace:

There are many different NFT marketplaces available, such as OpenSea, SuperRare, and Nifty Gateway. Each has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.

5. Upload and Mint the Digital Art Piece to the Platform:

Once you’ve chosen the marketplace, you can then upload and mint your digital art piece. This process will differ depending on the platform you’re using, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the process before you start.

6. Promote Your NFT:

Now that you’ve created and uploaded your NFT art piece, it’s time to promote it. You can do this by sharing it on social media, participating in online discussions, and engaging with the community.

7. Price the NFT and Put it For Sale:

It’s now time to price your NFT and put it up for sale. It’s important to consider the value of your artwork and decide on a fair price. Once you’ve done this, you can then put your NFT up for sale on the marketplace.

How to promote your NFT: a new path for art sales

Promoting NFT art can be an intimidating task, but with the right strategies, you can start getting your art in front of potential buyers and making sales quickly. Here’s how to promote your NFT art and make the most of this new and exciting art form.

1. Leverage Social Media – Social media is a great way to promote your NFT. You can use platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share your artwork and attract new buyers. Use hashtags and captions to draw attention to your work and make sure you’re engaging with your followers.

2. Utilize Marketplace Platforms – There are several platforms dedicated to NFT artwork, such as OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare. You can list your artwork on these marketplaces and attract buyers who are looking for specific types of artwork.

3. Create an Online Presence – Having an online presence is essential to any artist, but it’s especially important when you’re selling NFTs. Create a website or blog to showcase your artwork and make sure to include links to your marketplace listings.

4. Network and Collaborate – Networking and collaborating with other artists is a great way to promote your artwork. You can join art forums or artist communities to find potential buyers and collaborate with other artists on projects.

5. Offer Specials and Promotions – Offering discounts and promotions is another great way to promote your NFT art. You could offer a discount on your artwork for a limited time, or you could create a giveaway for your followers.

Is NFT Art a Good Investment?

NFT artworks have revolutionized the digital art market and are becoming the top investment opportunity in the crypto world. With 509,000 NFT artworks sold in March 2021 alone and total sales of $85 million, NFTs are a solid ROI on crypto investments.

As with any asset class, the value of NFT art is determined by the same principles of supply and demand. As the online community of collectors or buyers and investors grows, demand increases, and prices can rise. At the same time, as more artists see NFT art as a viable option for their creations, the supply increases.

In general, the rarer a piece is, the more likely it is to appreciate in value. This means that one-of-a-kind works by a popular artist can command higher sale prices than similar works with multiple copies available.

Another factor to consider is the potential for speculative investment. As more people become aware of NFTs, the value of certain works can rise due to investor demand. For this reason, it’s important to do your research before investing in any NFT artwork.

Overall, NFT art is an intriguing option for art collectors, as it offers the potential for both investment and appreciation. With the rise of blockchain technology and the digital-only art market, there’s no doubt that NFT art will continue to become more popular with investors. With the right research and understanding of the market, it can be a great addition to your portfolio.

Where do we go from here? The Future of NFT Art 

One example of the potential of NFT art is Alice, an NFT that exists on the Ethereum blockchain. Alice has the ability to self-learn and converse with her collectors. Meanwhile, other industries have already begun to adopt the technology and explore its capabilities. The Austrian postal service, Österreichische Post AG, has already implemented NFT postal stamps, and the Berlin-based Look Labs has created a digital fragrance using the molecular wavelengths of a real perfume. We can also expect to see other industries such as food recipes, stand-up comedy sets, and television streaming being influenced by NFTs in the months to come.

The future of NFT art is a promising one. As technology develops, we will see the emergence of new and innovative experiences. We’re already seeing this in the art world; artists have begun to leverage NFTs to create digital works of art, collectibles, videos, and music.

Conclusion

NFTs and NFT artworks have a unique application in everyday life. They are being used in markets, finance, gaming, and virtual reality worlds and are bringing significant utility across various genres. Creators of NFT artworks, such as artists, gamers, and big business brands, are reaping the rewards of the newfound popularity of NFTs, making large sums of money from their digital works. While it’s currently unknown how long NFTs will remain in the limelight, it’s clear that their digital works have a future in the 21st century. But before you go through all stages, it would be better to contact NFT developers and consultants to understand all things. 

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    About the author

    Dmitry K.

    CEO and Cofounder of ND Labs
    I’m a top professional with many-year experience in software development and IT. Founder and CEO of ND Labs specializing in FinTech industry, blockchain and smart contracts development for Defi and NFT.

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