Getting Started on the Blockchain for Digital Artists

GETTING STARTED ON THE BLOCKCHAIN FOR DIGITAL ARTISTS

RESOURCE GUIDE

ABOUT ONE/OFF ONE / OFF exists to liberate the Black imagination through digital art and technology so that the distinctiveness of Black creative expression is embraced and valued for its transformative cultural contributions.

We provide a platform for discovering Black crypto artists. With a dedicated team focused on the advancement of Black creatives and digital art, ONE / OFF is the premier destination for content surrounding Black artists on the blockchain.

By increasing the discoverability of such artists and their artwork we hope to encourage even more Black artists to participate in this emerging art movement.

Our vision is to empower the global Black community to imagine their culture and ideas in the future supported by technology that enables them to retain ownership and creative control of their own culture.

FEATURED WORK:

BLACKSNEAKERS

“AN INTROSPECTIVE OF SOUL”

TABLE OF CONTENTS ART NATIVE TO THE BLOCKCHAIN.......................................................................... 1 CREATING A METAMASK ACCOUNT....................................................................... 3 BUYING ETHEREUM ON COINBASE........................................................................ 4 APPLYING TO MARKETPLACES............................................................................... 5 WHERE TO BUY CRYPTO ART.................................................................................. 6

ART NATIVE TO THE BLOCKCHAIN What is a Blockchain?

Blockchain is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. Blockchains have 7 key properties. Programmable: a blockchain is a programmable (create apps with smart contracts). Secure: all records are individually encrypted. Anonymous: the identity of participants is either anonymous or pseudonymous. Unanimous: all network participants agree to the validity of each of the records. TimeStamped: a transaction timestamp is recorded on a block. Immutable: Any validated records are irreversible and cannot be changed. Distributed: all network participants have a copy of the ledger for complete transparency.

The largest and most popular public blockchains are Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Non-Fungible Tokens on Blockchains A non-fungible token (NFT) is a type of cryptographic token that represents a unique asset. NFTs are tokenized versions of digital or real-world assets.

They function as verifiable proofs of authenticity and ownership within a blockchain network. NFTs are not interchangeable with each other and introduce scarcity to the digital world.

Why NFTs are Important NFTs can be used for the creation and ownership of unique digital items and collectibles. While NFTs can be traded in open marketplaces that connect buyers with sellers, it is worth noting that the value of each item is unique.

NFTs have the potential to be one of the key components of a new blockchainpowered digital economy. They could be used in many different fields, such

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as video games, digital identity, licensing, certificates, or fine art - and even allow fractional ownership of items. Storing ownership and identification data on the blockchain would increase data integrity and privacy, while easy, trustless transfers and management of these assets could reduce friction in trade and the global economy.

The Significance of Digital Art on the Blockchain With pieces in the fine arts market selling for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, it’s important that you validate what you’re buying is the real thing. Artist with digital works are utilizing the blockchain to maintain their art’s integrity. Companies like Super Rare, Know Origin, Nifty Gateway and others have streamlined the process of allowing artist to mint digital artwork onto the blockchain as an NFT. Now when that artwork is brought and sold the transactions are stored publicly on the blockchain so that a prospective buyer, can easily track the entire history of ownership back to the artist. If the token doesn’t originate from the artist’s wallet, the artwork is a fake.

NFT MARKET STATISTICS TOTAL TRANSACTION VOLUME

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About MetaMask MetaMask is an Ethereum wallet and gateway to Ethereum based blockchain apps.

MetaMask is available as a browser extension and as a mobile app. MetaMask allows you to connect to blockchain-based applications on the web, think Facebook login but for Ethereum based blockchain apps. MetaMask also generates passwords and keys on your device, so only you have access to your accounts and data. MetaMask is what’s used to connect to Crypto Art marketplaces.

Creating a MetaMask Account 1. Go to https://metamask.io/download.html and download the browser extension and mobile app if you’d like.

2. After installing the browser extension click on the application, create a password and new wallet.

3. Make sure to write down the mutli-word recovery phrase and store it in a safe location not on your device as this will service your means to recover your account. If your multi-word phrase gets compromised someone can access your account and steal your assets.

4. Once complete congrats you now have a MetaMask account and an Ethereum wallet.

5. If you click on the 3 dots in the top right corner, click account details and it will display your Ethereum wallet address and QR code with your wallet address.

6. If you want to receive Ethereum or other digital assets this is the address you will provide.

7. Metamask will serve as your primary login and account for all the art marketplaces and to other blockchain based Applications.

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COINBASE About Coinbase Founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong, Coinbase is a secure platform that makes it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more.

Buying Ethereum on Coinbase Using a Web Browser 1. Go to coinbase.com and navigate to the Buy/Sell page.

2. Set the currency to Ethereum.

3. Enter the amount in ETH or your local currency that you wish to buy.

4. Select your desired payment method.

5. Confirm the order is correct and click Buy Ethereum.

Buying Ethereum on Coinbase Using the iOS & Android Apps 1. Tap the menu icon near the top left of the screen to open the Navbar.

2. Select Buy from the Navbar.

3. Set the currency to Ethereum.

4. Enter the amount in ETH or your local currency that you wish to buy.

5. Select your desired payment method.

6. After reviewing your order, tap Buy Ethereum.

7. After buying some Ethereum send it to your MetaMask wallet address.

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APPLY TO THE MARKETPLACES Key Considerations Regarding Marketplaces 1. Depth of market, marketplaces that use a different blockchain than Ethereum tend to have much smaller consumer bases and thus yield lower sales prices.

2. The top 5 marketplaces are SuperRare, Niftygateway, KnownOrigin, Async, and Makersplace, but these can be more difficult to be admitted to.

3. OpenSea and Rarible allow for more flexibility and are easier to get on boarded on to but require more effort marketing yourself in order to be discovered.

4. It’s a volume game and we would recommend applying to as many marketplaces as possible, so you have multiple options to choose from to sell your work.

5. If at first you don’t succeed try, try again. Most artists get turned down from the more established marketplaces on their first try, but we would encourage artists to continue to apply as they make and sell more art.

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NFT MARKETPLACE OVERVIEW

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NFT MARKETPLACE OVERVIEW

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SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT You will need to use Google Chrome or Brave browsers for this if using a desktop. If you are on a phone, you should be good to go.

1. Make a Metamask (MM) account. Its the easy and most widely used inbetween for the regular web and the block chain. All the instructions on setting up a MetaMask account are on page 3.

2. Your MM account is set and live on your Comp or Mobile device head to Rarible.com. Once on Rarible, click “wallet connect” then select “MetaMask” 3. You will be prompted to use the QR code scanner within the MetaMask Account.

To activate the QR Scanner, go to your MetaMask app on your phone.

Once in your account, there should be a square surrounded by brackets in the upper right hand corner, press that. Your scanner will activate, line the square frame on your phone screen up with the QR code until it scans 4. You will be prompted to allow Rarible access to your account. Say yes, obviously. Agree to Rarible’s terms without reading like a real one, then you be transported into the app..

5. Once in the app. Set up your user name, profile pic, link your portfolio site and click update profile.

6. Upon clicking update profile, you will have to verify the action in Metamask.

Pro-tip: If it takes a long time, do a section t a time.

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MINTING YOUR WORK Before you start the process pull up rarible.com on your metamask browser.

It will make the process smother when accepting and signing the contract.

1. Click create in the upper right hand corner 2. Select multiple or single 3. Select your file type for upload 4. Set price 5. Fill in the Name, and description of the piece 6. Specify your percentage when/if resold 7. Click “Create Item” then follow the steps that appear next: • Approve the transaction in your wallet, it cost ETH (be prepared) • Upload the file • Mint the token (takes a bit)* • Sign the sell order 8. You are now minted and ready to go!

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