CRYPTOART 101:
A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Ownership & NFTs
Prepared by: Mohini Ochangco
Prepared for: Alitaptap Artists Community Pista Ng Sining
Date: February 27, 2025
Location: Alitaptap Art Cafe
Prepare to embark on a journey into the captivating realm of digital ownership, NFTs, and the magic of blockchain technology. Whether you are a traditional artist or a digital creator, grasping these concepts will bestow upon you newfound power. Together, let us delve into how CryptoArt is transforming the very fabric of the art world!
CryptoArt refers to digital artworks that are authenticated and secured using blockchain technology. Unlike standard digital images, CryptoArt pieces are unique, traceable, and ownable through NFTs.
Why is CryptoArt Important?
✅ Verifiable authenticity & lineage
✅ Global exposure & accessibility
✅ Artist royalties on secondary sales
✅ Secure, decentralized storage
Web3 is the next evolution of the internet, where users can own their data, assets, and digital identity, rather than relying on big corporations to control online spaces.
🎨 Old Way (Web2): You post art on Instagram → Instagram owns the data → You earn nothing if it goes viral.
🎨 New Way (Web3): You mint your art as an NFT → You own it → You can sell, trade, or earn royalties.
Now that we understand Web3, let’s explore blockchain, which makes this all possible.
A blockchain is a decentralized ledger that records transactions transparently. Every action—minting an NFT, buying, or selling—is recorded permanently.
Blockchain: a shared database that is public, distributed and secure.
A smart contract is an automated program on the blockchain that defines the rules of an NFT (e.g., ownership transfers, royalties). Think of it as a self-executing agreement between the artist and the collector.
💡 Example: When an NFT is resold, the smart contract ensures that the original artist gets a percentage of the resale amount—this happens automatically!
Provenance refers to the history and record of ownership of an artwork. With blockchain, this record is public and unchangeable, making it impossible to forge or manipulate ownership claims.
NFTs solve digital forgery issues by proving who minted the artwork and ensuring that copies are distinguishable from the original.
Every transaction is stored on the blockchain, allowing collectors to see who previously owned the artwork, adding value to NFTs with a strong historical trail.
Choosing the Right Blockchain for CryptoArt
Not all blockchains are the same! Some are more expensive, while others are more community-driven. Here’s a quick comparison:
Blockchain | Cost | Best For |
Ethereum | High fees | Established collectors & premium NFTs |
Tezos | Low fees | Artist-friendly, strong community |
Bitcoin | Complex, high cost | Rare digital collectibles |
Polygon (L2) | Low fees | Gaming & mainstream adoption |
💡 For beginners, Tezos is the best choice due to its low costs and artist-friendly environment!
How to Get Started in CryptoArt
A crypto wallet allows you to store your NFTs and transact on blockchain networks.
Before minting your NFT, set up a profile on an NFT marketplace.
💡 Many NFT marketplaces act like social media profiles—artists need to curate their page like they do on Instagram, Facebook or ArtStation. Most collectors research your bio, body of works and or links.
Minting an NFT means registering your digital artwork on the blockchain.
💡 Think of it like signing a painting—except your signature is permanently recorded on the blockchain!
Gas fees are the transaction costs required to use the blockchain. They ensure the network runs smoothly by rewarding validators. Every action on the blockchain (minting, transferring, listing for sale) requires a small fee.The fees go to network validators (the ones keeping the blockchain running). In Web3, you “pay for a space” on a blockchain by paying fees.
💡 Think of it as paying for gallery/storage space—except it’s digital! Think of it as an investment in your digital art presence.
Since you need some cryptocurrency to cover gas fees, here’s how you can get started:
🔹 Alternative: If you don’t want to buy crypto directly, some artists sell PaperMint Wallets preloaded with tokens to help beginners get started.
NFTs aren’t just for sales—they can be digital archives for historical preservation or showcased in virtual galleries.
💡 Imagine a permanent digital museum showcasing your work to a global audience!
1. Do I need cryptocurrency to start?
2. What happens if an NFT platform shuts down?
3. How do I know my NFT is authentic?
4. How do I price my NFTs?
Building Your Own Market & Community
Entering the NFT space can feel overwhelming—there are already established artists, collectors, and marketplaces. Instead of waiting to be “discovered,” artists should actively shape their own market by building a support network.
💡 Think of it like forming an artist collective, but in Web3—supporting and curating each other is key!
Staying Safe in the CryptoArt Space
The NFT world offers new opportunities, but it also comes with risks. Scammers, phishing attacks, and social engineering tactics are common.
Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers – If someone DMs you claiming they want to buy your art but asks you to “connect your wallet” to an unknown site, it’s likely a scam.
Never Share Your Seed Phrase – No legitimate platform or collector will ever ask for it.
💡 Web3 is like the Wild West—stay alert, double-check links, and never rush into transactions without verifying sources!
Mohini Ochangco (OoakosiMo) – New Media Artist, Post Production Specialist, CryptoArt Movement Pioneer, TrashArt, SpamArt, and Web3 Educator
Mohini Ochangco, known in the digital art space as OoakosiMo, is a veteran digital artist and one of the early pioneers in the CryptoArt movement. With a background in both analogue and digital arts, she has embraced blockchain technology to explore new ways of creating, authenticating, and distributing art globally.
Through her work, Mohini continues to empower artists by providing them with the tools and knowledge to navigate Web3, while also fostering a more decentralized and inclusive digital art landscape.
📩 Contact & Links