How To Make Art Videos

We’ve all seen those videos on TikTok or Instagram of an artist showing their process of completing an artwork. Sometimes this video is a full tutorial, but often it is a time-lapse video. You may have thought that you would like to do something like that with your art. If so, you are in the right place. In this article and video above, I will discuss what I use to record my videos and what I have seen some other artists use.

I want to start by saying that this is by no means the only way to do things, it might not be the best for your situation but it should give you some ideas. If you have any questions after you are done reading, please send me a message or leave a comment!

Equipment:

Let’s start with an equipment list. Here is what I use:

-Camera/Phone

-Microphone

-Lighting

-Tripod

-Boom Arm For Camera

-Boom Arm For Microphone

-Phone Holder

Let’s take a look at each of these more in-depth

Camera:

The type of camera you use to record your creative process will really depend on what you are willing to spend but also just personal preference. Thankfully, high-quality cameras are becoming less and less expensive. Some of you may have a different opinion, but I think that cameras that are thousands of dollars are no longer needed unless you are a professional photographer.

I started my YouTube Channel with a Samsung Galaxy S6. I actually used that phone for a few years before upgrading to a Galaxy S9 in 2020. From 2020 to the beginning of 2022 I filmed with the S9. I now have an iPhone 11. You may be asking yourself why I never bought a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or some type of stand-alone camera. Don’t get me wrong, I have done a lot of research on them and have almost bought one about a dozen times, however, I have always stopped at the last second for a few reasons:

1. They are expensive. 
   1. An entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera starts at around $500. 
2. It would only have one use. 
   1. I would only be using the camera for videos, nothing else. I am someone who likes efficiency and spending that much money on a product to be used for just one reason doesn’t seem justifiable to me. On that same note, however, I will say that if you are planning on taking high-quality photographs of your artwork to make prints with, then this is definitely a great use of a DSLR or mirrorless camera. I am fortunate enough that my dad has a great camera that I can use to take those types of photos. I live close enough to him that I can easily borrow it whenever I need it.
3. Less versatile. 
   1. It is much easier to move a phone around than a camera with a bunch of lenses.
4. Limits On Specs.
   1. There can be many limits on DSLR or mirrorless cameras. Some can’t be recorded for over a certain number of minutes. This can really hurt artists who, like me, can be recording for up to a few hours at a time. Also, the battery life on some phones seems to be way better. I know you can get adapters for cameras so that they are just plugged in, but my phone can just use the regular cord and be plugged in while I’m working.

Okay, this isn’t an article about why I prefer using a cellphone over a DSLR but I wanted to give some context to my choice. I’m sure there will be many people who disagree with me and say that some of my points don’t make sense, however, this is just my opinion and experience. If you have any experience you would like to share, please do so in the comments! We all would benefit from each other’s ideas!

My overall point is that even with just a cell phone, which it seems most people have nowadays, you can record fantastic videos of your art!

Microphone:

If you are only doing time-lapse videos, then you don’t really need a microphone. But if you are doing tutorials or other videos, then you may want to invest in a decent microphone.

For a couple of years, I just used a $30 lapel microphone that I bought off Amazon. It did the trick for a while, however, I found that the sound quality was only mediocre. For about the past two years I have been using the Yeti X USB microphone, the quality is awesome and I find it really improves the overall quality of my videos. Just imagine how you feel when you turn on a video to watch and the sound quality is only okay versus when their voice is crisp and clear. 

There are many types of microphones out there. Which one you choose may depend on what type of camera you have, your budget, etc. I plug mine into my computer and just have an audio file recording while filming from my camera. You can get adapters so you could plug it directly into your phone or DLSR camera as well.

This is the lapel mic that I used for a while: https://amzn.to/3LcvD4U

This is the Blue Yeti X Mic that I use: https://amzn.to/3v9xwts

Lighting:

Another important piece of equipment to make your videos look professional is lighting. If you have a work area that has ample natural light, that will be the best and I am envious of you. At this time, I work in my basement which evidently does not have a lot of natural light. This means I use a lot of artificial light.

I currently use a set of NEEWER LED Panel Lights, an Ottlite, and two LED light panels that screw into the lightbulb sockets in the ceiling.

I find it best to have lighting from multiple directions as this will eliminate most of the shadows that your hand or tools can create.

The NEEWER Lights I use have stands so I can move them around to the desired position.

The Ottlite is what I have been using the longest and just has a clip on the end that I clip to my desk or easel. It is quite a bit smaller but great for extra light while working on a specific area if needed.

The LED Light Panels screwed into the lightbulb sockets in the ceiling provide great overall light to the room.

Depending on your workspace will determine what kind of light is best. I have sometimes just worked outside when possible to get all-natural lighting.

Here is a link to the NEEWER Lights: https://amzn.to/3K3EOmM

And here is a link to the Ottlite that I use: https://amzn.to/3v7aYts

Here is a link to LED panels similar to the ones I use: https://amzn.to/3KblGU2

Tripod:

This will depend on the point of view you are doing but often I use a tripod to hold my phone while recording. You can find many kinds of tripods online or in stores. Mine extends to about 60 inches in height and works well for my needs. You can find others that go higher as well. 

Tripods can be as cheap as $26 for a 50-inch one to hundreds of dollars for more complex ones. Here is a basic one from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rMgXSt

Boom Arm For Camera:

If you are wanting to do an overhead shot of your work, then you will need something to hold your camera directly above your work. A tripod doesn’t really work for this but a boom arm is perfect.

I have used a variety of things but currently use a boom arm that has a large screw tightened clamp on one end. My studio area is in our unfinished basement so I am able to clamp the arm to the ceiling and have it directly above my work area. It could easily be clamped to my desk, a side table, or a shelf above my desk.

Here is a link to the arm that I use: https://amzn.to/3k8imP0

Boom Arm For Microphone:

If you are doing a video that requires a microphone, you will definitely want the microphone in a place that makes it easy to talk into and that is also not in the way of your work. I use a boom arm for my microphone that just clamps onto the side of my work desk or easel. It allows me to move it around depending on what I am working on and place it so that it picks up my voice the best.

If you have a lapel microphone, then you obviously won’t need a boom arm.

Here is a link to the one that I use: https://amzn.to/3MpLDR5

Phone Holder For Tripod/Boom Arm:

If you are using your phone to record videos, then you will need to have an adapter so that it can be placed onto a tripod or boom arm. These are very cheap and can be bought in many places. I got mine on Amazon for less than $10 and it works great.

Here is a link to the one I use if you want to see it: https://amzn.to/3xOMxm3

How To Set Up Your Equipment

There are two main views that I have seen artists use for their art:

1. The Table Top View
2. The Easel View

I’ll go through each of them here.

The Table Top View

I think I see this view more than any other for art videos. As mentioned before, this is when the camera is above your work area, looking down usually at a desk or table.

Here is a photo of my setup when achieving this view as well as the view of my workspace from the camera.

I have my camera boom arm attached above holding the camera above my work area. You can find boom arms that would attach to the side of the desk or a long one that could attach to a stand. I don’t like having to attach it to the desk because I find that when painting, I bump the desk and it will move the camera around as you record which can be very annoying for your viewers. If you can’t attach it to the ceiling as I do, just have another table or a shelf behind your work area that you can attach it to instead.

I have light coming from all directions so that I get as even lighting as possible.

My microphone is attached to another boom arm so it can be placed right in front of me but out of the camera view. Having this attached to the desk or table isn’t as big of a deal as the camera.

Then you are good to go!

The Easel View

This view is used mainly because you are working on an easel and/or your artwork is too big to be working on it from above.

Here is a photo of my workspace and the view from the camera on the tripod.

I have my phone on top of my tripod at an angle to my work. I find this allows for a little better view of the canvas instead of being directly behind where I can more easily block it. Depending on the size of the canvas will usually determine where I place the camera in my workspace. Since I am right-handed, I like to place the camera on the left as I find that I don’t block the view as much. However, sometimes it just doesn’t happen and I end up filming from the right. 

My lighting is backed up a bit further to accommodate for the camera, but again, using multiple lights allows for the best lighting possible.

If I use the microphone when working on a big canvas, I have it attached to the boom arm either on the top of the easel or on my small table beside me. This allows me to be able to easily adjust the arm to reach where I can work and talk at the same time. It will be in the camera view at this angle unless I am doing a close-up shot.

I hope this has helped you figure out how to best film your creation process. If you have anything you would like to add or ask, just leave a comment below!

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