Art Blog #140: How to Explain Your Artwork On Youtube

The Art of Telling Your Story

Artists, let’s face it: the internet isn’t just a place to show your art. It’s where your story becomes part of the masterpiece. It is the narrated background story that gives the art fan the chance to start looking at your art the right way. It doesn´t really matter which style or type of storytelling you choose, important is to start. In the age of reels and live streams, videos aren’t just content—they’re not just your gallery, they are your studio tour, and your public marketing channel all rolled into one. We have few inspiring tips and here’s how to make them work for you.

Get Real: Authenticity Sells

Gone are the days of stiff, overly polished videos. Today’s audience craves authenticity and "reels"! Show not just your applying your brush strokes, show your art studio, the half-finished sketches, the failed attempts that led to your masterpiece. People are super curious about all tids and bits that led to your finished work. These raw moments make your craft more accessible and allow to build a deeper connection with your followers. Don´t worry if your first attempts feel clunky, your style will definitely evolve over time so most important is to get started.

Pro Tip: Narrate your process in your natural voice. A relatable, slightly chancy explanation will resonate way more than a rehearsed script. You can simple start by recording your first "art reveal" video.

Difference between a video and a reel

Reel is simply an elementary recorded sequence. In the context of the online content creation the word reel is being used ambiguously though and means a finished edit as well. In the movie industry a reel refers rahther to a single recorded shot. In the world of social media a "reel" is associated with basicly any video posted, edited, single or multi-shot. Most application today allow to record several shots to compile a reel, add music or an effect.

Craft a Narrative

Your art has a backstory—make sure your video does too. Whether it’s the inspiration behind your latest piece or the struggles you faced during creation, a compelling narrative gives your viewers something to emotionally relato to.

Think of your video like a short film:

• Hook: Open with an intriguing question or a curioisity invoking shot.

• Middle: Share the journey or meaning behind your work.

• End: Wrap up with a takeaway or an invitation (e.g., “DM me your thoughts!” or “See the full piece on my website”).

Make sure your individual shots are not too long. First shot is very important. People will not give you longer than one or two second to grab their attentions. If you do not manage to make this happen within these few moments most people will slide your video away. Right lenght is important for all the shots. It´s always better to cut earlier than keep the shots longer and loose the attentions of the viewer. Try to keep that in mind when editing your reels.

Keep It Short but Impactful

Attention spans are short. A punchy 15 to 25-second video can do wonders for engagement. Focus on one main idea per video, whether it’s your inspiration, technique, or a behind-the-scenes moment. If you’ve got more to say, create a series instead of cramming it all into one video. Do not try to turn your reels into catalogues of your entire artistic work.

Trend Alert: Caption your videos! Majority of users on many social media platforms like often autoplay videos on mute. This means you need to keep certain grade of sound redundancy in your videos. Integrating nice music is good but do not rely on making a point by saying something, it simply might not be heard and video might come across as pointless. Eye-catching text can make all the difference.

Make Your Studio a Character

Your space is an extension of your art. Whether it’s your paint-splattered table, the tools you use, or even your favorite coffee mug, let your studio play a role in your videos. These small details create a visual story that’s as memorable as your art itself. Treat showing some of your privacy as an invitation to show your art in your own private online art gallery. Most video creators and artists underestimate this and only want to show their creative work in their videos. This migh often lead to intimidation of the beginning artists and to art fans it might give an impression of an overly polished art world they have no acces to to. This migh have negative impact on your art sales. Make yourself accesible, present your everyday life and show your audience you are as well "just a human".

Engage Like You’re Talking to a Friend

Social media is a two-way street. Use your video captions to ask questions, spark conversations, or invite your audience to share their own creative stories. Respond to comments with genuine interest—building community is just as important as showcasing your work. Sometimes to entertaint has more impact than trying to impress at all costs.

Example Caption: “This piece took 6 hours and 4 cups of coffee. What’s your go-to fuel for creativity?”

Stay on Trend (But Stay You)

Trends can give your videos an instant boost, but always filter them through your own style. Pair your work with a trending audio clip or participate in creative challenges, but make sure it feels authentic to your brand as an artist. There are of course evergreen trends like "art reveal". You don´t need to have second thought on doing those over again. It is simply such an authentic way of showing your work it can´t be wrong any time.

Hot Tip: Hashtags like #ArtProcess, #StudioVibes, or #MadeWithLove can amplify your reach without feeling spammy.

Gear Up Wisely

You don’t need a Hollywood setup to create stunning videos. A decent smartphone, natural lighting, and a tripod can work wonders. You don´t even have to invest in video editing apps. Most social media platforms offer their native online tools for video creation, editing and music integration.

End With a Call to Action (CTA)

What do you want your audience to do after watching? Whether it’s checking out your latest collection, subscribing to your newsletter, or simply hitting “Like,” don’t be afraid to ask.

Example CTA: “Want to see more behind-the-scenes magic? Hit that follow button and join me on my art journey.”

Conclusion

Your art is already incredible—now it’s time to let your videos do it justice. By combining storytelling, authenticity, and a sprinkle of social media savvy, you can captivate an audience that not only admires your work but feels connected to it. So, hit record, and let your art speak for itself—one frame at a time.

Peter von Hauerland