Social Media for Artists - Youtube

Discover how YouTube can help you grow as an artist, avoid the learning trap, and turn inspiration into real artistic progress.

YouTube for Artists: The World's Biggest Free Art School

When most people think about YouTube, they think about funny videos, music, or entertainment.

As artists, I think we should see it a little differently.

To me, YouTube is like having the world's biggest art school sitting on your computer, tablet or phone. Never before have we had access to so many talented artists, willing to generously share their knowledge with us—for free.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been creating for years, YouTube can become one of the most valuable tools in your artistic journey.

But like any tool, it's all about how you use it.

Learn From Artists Around the World

One of the greatest things about YouTube is that it removes distance.

You can learn from a pastel artist in the UK in the morning, watch a wildlife artist in America over lunch, and finish the day with a drawing demonstration from Europe or Australia.

Every artist has a slightly different way of explaining things. One might teach values in a way that finally clicks for you, while another might show a blending technique you've never considered before.

I've always encouraged my students to learn from many different artists. Every teacher brings something unique to the table, and even after all these years, I still enjoy discovering new ideas.

Solve Small Problems

You don't always need to watch a full tutorial.

Sometimes you simply need an answer to one small question.

Try searching for things like:

How to draw white fur
How to sharpen pastel pencils
Photographing pastel artwork
Framing pastel paintings
Drawing realistic feathers
Mixing natural greens

Chances are someone has already made a video explaining exactly what you're looking for.

Watch Before You Buy

Thinking about buying a new set of pencils? A different paper? A new easel?

Before spending your money, search YouTube.

You'll often find honest reviews, comparisons and demonstrations that help you decide whether something is right for you.

I've certainly avoided a few purchases over the years after watching someone else test a product first!

Build Your Own Art Library

One feature I don't think enough people use is Playlists.

Whenever you find a video you love, save it.

You might have playlists for:

Animal Eyes
Colour Theory
Composition
Pastel Techniques
Reference Photography
Framing Artwork

Over time, you'll build your own personalised art library that's always there whenever you need it.

Learn About Your Subject

One of my favourite ways to use YouTube has very little to do with drawing.

If I'm painting an animal, I love watching documentaries or wildlife footage first.

Watching a dingo walk, a horse run or a bird feeding its chicks helps you understand movement, behaviour and personality in a way that a single photograph never can.

Your artwork becomes more believable because you begin to understand the subject, not just copy the reference.

Fill Your Creative Tank

Not every visit to YouTube has to be educational.

Sometimes it's simply about inspiration.

Watching beautiful wildlife footage, visiting galleries around the world, seeing artists' studios or listening to creative conversations can refill your creative tank when you're feeling a little flat.

Sometimes ten minutes of inspiration is all it takes to make you want to pick up your pencils again.

But Here's the Trap...

There is one danger with YouTube.

It's incredibly easy to spend hours watching videos without ever picking up a pencil.

We've all done it.

You watch one tutorial.

Then another.

Then a product review.

Then another artist's studio tour.

Before you know it, two hours have disappeared—and you haven't drawn a single line.

Watching art isn't the same as making art.

The Three Levels of Learning

I like to think of learning as having three stages.

1. Inspiration

This is where YouTube shines.

It introduces us to new artists, new ideas and new techniques.

It gets us excited to create.

2. Education

This is where structured learning becomes valuable.

Whether it's a workshop, an online course or an art membership, this is where someone slows down and explains not only what they're doing, but why.

You have the opportunity to follow along, ask questions and build your understanding step by step.

3. Practice

This is where improvement actually happens.

Not while watching.

Not while taking notes.

Not while saving another tutorial for later.

Improvement happens when you sit down, pick up your pencils and start drawing.

You make mistakes.

You solve problems.

You finish the artwork.

That's where confidence is built.

Why Community Matters

One thing you'll notice is that many artists on YouTube share speed drawings, short demonstrations or quick tips.

They're wonderful for inspiration and learning new ideas.

But if you've ever watched one and thought, "I wish I could see the whole process," that's usually where their membership, online school or community comes in.

That's where artists have the time to slow everything down, explain each decision and support students as they learn.

That's exactly why I created The Creative Barn Membership

I love sharing free tutorials and ideas, but inside the membership we can spend hours working through a drawing together. We can stop, rewind, ask questions and take the time to understand why each decision is being made.

It's a very different learning experience.

Keep Learning… But Keep Creating

We are incredibly fortunate to be artists today.

We have access to more learning than any generation before us.

Enjoy it.

Stay curious.

Watch artists from all over the world.

Learn from many different teachers.

But remember this:

Watching someone else create won't improve your art.

Creating your own artwork will.

So the next time you find yourself watching tutorial after tutorial, choose one that inspires you, watch it, then close YouTube and spend twice as long with your pencils in your hand.

Because every drawing you finish teaches you something that no video ever can.

And that's where real growth begins.

Kerri xx