Why Artists Create How To Art Videos

I totally understand what artists are trying to accomplish when creating a how to art video. The goal in the end is to obtain more viewers.

You are giving a little to get something back. Yet this becomes a very big problem for artists. Allow me to explain through a story of a friend.

Where An Art Video Went Wrong

A friend of mine has been in the art business for more than 40 years. She has spent a great deal of her lifetime attempting to help artists navigate the path to becoming a successful artist.

One day we were sharing stories from the past and she mentioned to me how she hated social media and how it has ruined so many artists. She stated that social media causes more problems than it solves.

Through the years she has seen too many publish videos detailing their process in how they create art. No matter how many warnings were given, ultimately too many lived to regret their choices.

Competitors would watch the video to only find a way to replicate the process. There have been many times where machinery has been used to mass produce the “product” when it was once an original work of art.

Imagine this has happened to you. How devastating would it be? For some it could be so damaging that they feel like giving up.

All artists want to grow an audience. There are far better ways to achieve this than giving away your skill freely.

How Do Copycats Get Away With Stealing Your Art?

The fact is once you put an art process online of how your work is accomplished, it really cannot be undone. There can also be fine lines to what is public domain and what is copyright at that point.

Despite these legal issues too many have found their art process duplicated by someone and it can be difficult to stop them. Often due to costs of courts and legal processes the artist cannot afford to pursue the matter.

The story gets worse for some people. If you have something that you have created which becomes popular on Amazon or Etsy, beware.

The greatest asset to copycats in these locations that would steal your art is a national border. Many of them live in either third world nations or behind borders where Western influence cannot reach them.

They then recreate your art and import them into Western nations. I have personally met a few people where their art or product was taken from them in this manner.

In this situation there is very little that you can do even if you could afford to pursue the matter.

How Should An Art Tutorial Video Be Produced?

If you are an artist, these should never be produced. Your process should be kept a secret to you. If you are an educator that is not creating a process of your own then there is nothing to lose.

The problem behind this concept for artists is that you give away far to much in order to get so little back in return. Nevertheless the world has gone social media crazy.

I was once called out for not having these kinds of videos. I have also been told that I have far too followers in my social media to have any influence.

Due to these “vain metrics” the artist snubbed me. I laughed… on the inside… in order to not insult them. Google is far more powerful than they can imagine, that is… if they knew how to use it.

An art tutorial is specifically designed to teach someone a process by which to achieve an outcome. So.. lets change this tune a little.

Creating An Art Video Highlight Is A Good Thing!

If you were to create a short art video merely showcasing your artwork, this is perfectly fine. In fact if you are good at video production it can do wonders for your showcase.

The key is that you are showcasing your art, not explaining how its created. There is a clear difference.

So how can this kind of art video be used?

It can be pushed on social media and it can become a great tool for gaining followers if you so wish. It can also be displayed on your website or online art gallery if you have this.

The video becomes a promotional tool. It can have branding and serve to connect you to real doors of opportunity, this includes prospective art buyers.

In contrast, a video focused as a tutorial serves only to teach someone your tradecraft and art style. Stop doing this please.

Nevertheless… if you insist on showing parts of your process there are ways to keep your trade secrets safe.

How To Properly Edit An Art Tutorial Video

The artist should always take care to properly edit the art tutorial video. The key to achieving this is to leave your trade secrets out of the video.

You can show how something is done from step 1 to step 3. Then skip steps 4 and 5 if they are unique or special to creating your art. After this, continue.

Personally I would never do this, yet many artists out there persist in continuing with the idea. For me, allowing anyone to see the process still opens doors for others to discover the parts left out on their own.

Despite any differences of opinion it is obvious that leaving out the most critical aspects aid in protecting your intellectual rights.

Stop And Think Before You Create And Publish

In the old world artist would learn from teachers, not educators. In other words an accomplished artist would choose their students.

Guilds of this nature were born for many reason ranging from a specific style of art to even making a statement against the politics of the time. Remember the Salon de Refuses.

These schools of art were not open to just anyone. Many secrets were kept through the years.

Today our world has lost its mind with social media. There are no secrets left any longer. Do not give away the most sacred parts of your artwork for cheap follows, likes, or shares.

If you are not “up to the standard” in your art profile, so what. Rather focus on your art portfolio and public relations.

If you do not have tens of thousands of followers, so what. More focus should be spent on creating a broader art platform to serve you.

That matters much more.

How An Art Promotional Video Can Help You Shine

An art promotional video can work to help accentuate your art portfolio. How? If you can catch someones attention for 15 seconds then you can likely get them to want more.

Choose your best art to highlight the opening. Catch their eye and make them say wow. Then introduce yourself at the end.

It really is that simple. Think elevator pitch, but you are only riding up one floor. You have to be quick and to the point.

Be creative in how the video is produced. Play with lighting, setting, or even special effects within the video itself.

Allow for the environment to impact the art so that it can be seen in a way to create an impact. This sells you, and this is really what you are after.

Remember that following the crowd doing as others do typically will lead you to the same destination everyone else arrives at. If you want to break free and arrive where everyone wants to be, then you will need a different path.