How Social Media Shaped My Artistic Journey
How Social Media Shaped My Artistic Journey
Introduction
The best art teachers I’ve ever had were strangers on the internet.
From a 2-hour long Youtube video to a simple photo of a puppy doodle, social media has been an important role in my artistic growth. Social Media as a Personalized Learning Network (PLN) provides an extraordinary way learn; it’s accessible, diverse, and full of creators sharing many types of educational content and techniques.
As a young aspiring artist, I started exploring my passion in middle school through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram. Over the years, these platforms have shaped how I learn, create, and share my work.
How Social Media Supported My Learning
Social media provides artists with limitless opportunities for personalized learning. I use different platforms differently to suit my needs:
TikTok – A source of quick inspiration. Short, 15-second clips of artist’s process kept me motivated to and inspired to attempt new techniques.
Youtube – Used for in-depth long-form content such as tutorials on drawing the human anatomy or mastering colour theory. Youtube helped me learn the fundamental skills and the long detailed lessons felt like a professional art class.
Pinterest – My digital mood board. I curated boards for references and inspiration. I save pins such as people, faces, still life and landscape references. Other artists also follow me for quick access to organized content for their own creative searches.
Instagram – The combo of all three social platforms, where everything comes together, and the social platform I engage with the most. I post process videos and sketch pictures. I gained many followers, received comments, and connected with other artists online.
Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and together they form a well-rounded sanctuary for learning and sharing art.
Challenges of Learning Online
Learning online comes with challenges, with the endless amounts of perspectives and techniques its easy to feel overwhelmed.
When I first started learning online, I was constantly switching between techniques and styles, unsure which one to follow. Online, everyone has an opinion and some could be persuasive. Unlike a traditional classroom where the teacher provides you step-by-step instructions, online learning exposes the user to endless approaches which can be inspiring and chaotic.
It took me years to develop a consistent art style that I like and continue to feel inspired from.
Conclusion
Social Media has been one of the most valuable learning tools in my artistic journey. Although I have struggled to stick to a consistent technique when I first started the artistic journey, the diversity helped me develop my own unique style.
These platforms connect me to a global community where I can learn anywhere at anytime. My artistic journey wouldn’t be the same without them and I am excited to continue learning, creating, and sharing online.
© 2025 Aria Dalla Pasqua. All rights reserved.
