In my last blog I talked about the value of sketchbooks to an artists practice and also mentioned a 30 day sketchbook challenge that I was co-hosting. The challenge was created by Insight Creative, so Julia and I were very happy to host this on behalf of the Artist mentoring and coaching company.
Hosting was a new experience for me. It involved us encouraging artists to take part, reminding people of the daily prompt, sharing our own work but also that of other participants and generally just trying to keep people motivated as they completed the challenge.
As a first I have to say it was great fun – brilliant to see everyone’s work. Given that we were all working from the same daily prompts it absolutely amazes me how differently everyone interpretated these and how different the work was. If you ever needed evidence of how unique we all are this was perfect!
If you’d like to see some of the creations just search the hashtag #insightcreative30daychallenge2025 on Instagram.
It did require a bit more time on social media which was a challenge at times. Searching through the posts tagged to find what was new got more difficult as the challenge progressed. Just because of the sheer number of posts. Usually, my social media time is restricted to 10-15 minutes in the morning and then again late afternoon so I found it disrupted my day quite a bit to keep checking in. Strange to think that this is the norm for many people, but I’m pleased to say not me. It got me reflecting on the pro’s and con’s of social media so thought I’d share my thoughts on the subject and a few of my sketches from the challenge.
The Pros of Social Media for Artists
It’s difficult to ignore how social media has revolutionized the way artists connect with audiences, promote their work, and find opportunities. While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have made it easier than ever to share art with the world, they also come with challenges. For me there are 3 main pro’s…..
1. Growing Your Audience
One of the biggest advantages of social media is its ability to reach a audiences, although on Instagram this is getting more and more difficult as the algorithm is changing to favour video content and paid for content. But it’s true that artists are no longer limited to local galleries or exhibitions to share their work with people and I have quite a few paintings to people who have found me on Instagram.
2. Connecting with People
My favourite pro with social media is the ability to connect directly with people. Over the years I have followed, commented on and chatted with a group of amazing artists who I would not have known if I had stumbled across them on Instagram. Art can be a very solitary practice so the ability to receive feedback, and build a community is incredibly important.
3. Inspiration
This can be both a pro and con but just a few minutes of scrolling through my Instagram feed can be a great source of inspiration. Seeing the amazing and varied work of other artists is often the motivation I need to pull on my painting clothes and get myself into the studio. However, if I am in a creative dip this can also be disastrous! Comparison is a dangerous rabbit hole to fall down, one that can leave you feeling serious self-doubt.
The Cons of Social Media for Artists
1. Algorithm Challenges and Visibility Issues
I mentioned it earlier but the algorithms can be unpredictable, and changes over the past 18 months have made it difficult for artists to consistently reach their audience. This is even more frustrating because the changes have an air of secrecy around them so you can never fully understand how they work.
2. Time-Consuming
Maintaining an active social media presence requires time and effort. You have to create content, post regularly, interact with followers, and stay updated with trends—all of which can take time away from actually creating art. And can leave you feeling under pressure.
3. Scams and Copyright Concerns
Posting art online comes with the risk of theft. I know several artists who have had work used without permission or had their accounts hacked. And I have lost count of the number of scammers who have messaged me about NFTs.
4. Mental Health Struggles
The pressure to gain likes, followers, and engagement can take a toll on your mental health. We see a lot of coverage in the media about the impact of social media on children and young adults but we shouldn’t overlook the negatives it can pose to those of us who are older as well. Constant comparison with other artists, negative comments, or the fear of not being “good enough” can lead to self-doubt and creative block.
5. Focus on What Look Good Over Authenticity
If we fall into the trap of building our confidence through external validation, such as likes. We can feel pressured to create work that align with trends or continue to churn out similar things rather than staying true to our personal style or pushing for development. This stifles our creativity and artistic expression.
Finding a Balance
The key thing for me is all about finding the right balance.
- I do post regularly. But to avoid having to spend too much time online I schedule my posts. This also helps me avoid feeling stressed about creating content. Some weeks I’ll do a lot of sketchbook work and have 3-4 things I’m happy to share. Other times I won’t have anything. Scheduling means I usually have a couple of posts in the bag for leaner weeks.
- A balance that’s often overlooked is not just relying on social media. Creating your own blog, website, newsletter database all provide different ways for you to connect with others. And it avoids reliance on the ever-changing algorithms.
- Engagement over metrics – I do track numbers, it’s a hard habit to break. Having been a marketing director for years I can’t just let this one go. But I prioritise engaging with my audience over counting likes.
- And my final one – I take breaks when needed. Once this challenge is finished I’ll be switching off to have a bit of refresh and reset!
Final Thoughts
Social media is a powerful tool for artists. It offers opportunities for exposure, connection, and growth. But you need to be clear about its purpose and not over rely on it. Especially when it comes to building your own self of sense and your artistic confidence.