How did ancient painters and painters make a living?

Ancient painters and calligraphers had various ways of making a living. After all, the materials for painting and calligraphy were still quite expensive at that time, and you had to eat enough to draw. The first is to be an official. The cultural level of these people with high attainments in calligraphy and painting is not too low. Many of them are DPRK officials, and calligraphy and painting are only their sideline. Being an official not only provided support for their calligraphy and painting creation, but also increased their popularity.

Secondly, it is to make a living by selling paintings. If you are not famous, you may only sell enough paintings to make a living and continue to create. A fan or a piece of paper is only a few pence, and a better one is only a few taels of silver. However, if you are famous for a painting, you can make a fortune, but there are few such paintings, and most of them are famous after death, so the money will not go to your own pocket.

Finally, some painters became royal painters, specializing in serving the royal family. This kind of painter only needs to concentrate on his creation, and the state will pay you on time. Although this kind of painter is not very famous, some of them are still experts in painting porcelain, but their life is guaranteed and they don't have to set up stalls to sell paintings on the streets.