How I Film Art Reels for Both Procreate and Watercolour
What Do You Need to Film Art Reels at Home?
To film art reels at home, you only need:
A phone with a working back camera
Good natural light
A simple phone stand
A basic editing app
You do not need a studio, multiple cameras, or professional lighting to create art content that performs well on social media.
The Two Stands I Use to Film Art Reels
I use two different stands depending on what I am filming.
Canvas Lamp for Overhead Filming
MOFT Phone Stand for Most Filming
Most of the time, I use my MOFT phone stand because it is:
Fast to set up
Very compact
Easy to move between angles
I use it for:
Close ups of drawing
Filming myself working at my desk
Filming art while creating on the go
It’s really handy for filming both traditional and iPad artwork creation, especially if you like to create at a cafe/in public. But just as good at home too!
Sometimes I film while sitting in the car waiting for my kids during lessons or working in a cafe. Having something small makes this possible. All examples below I have filmed using my MOFT stand.
Do You Need an Expensive Phone to Film Art Reels?
No. You do not need an expensive phone to film art reels.
I use an iPhone 11 and it still creates great video content, especially in good natural light.
Tips:
Always use the back camera
Film near natural light where possible
Use the 0.5 lens if you need a wider shot
If you are filming yourself, it takes a bit of practice. But when filming your art, you can usually see what is recording on the screen, which makes setup easier.
How I Film My Art Reels (Step by Step)
Most of the time I film in one continuous take.
If I am working on a longer art session, I usually film:
The start
The middle
The end
This is much easier than trying to film everything perfectly.
The goal is to capture movement and progress, not perfection.
How I Edit My Art Reels
I edit using:
Edits
InShot
I mainly:
Cut clips into shorter sections
Make sure there is movement
Show progress happening
I am not trying to create studio level production. I am showing real art process.
Do Art Reels Need to Look Professional?
No. Art reels do not need to look highly polished to perform well.
Most people want to see:
Real process
Real progress
Real behind the scenes
Consistency and clarity matter more than high production quality for most artists and surface designers.
These reels work really well for social media as well as on Pinterest!
If you want to learn more about how I use Pinterest to passively market my art and attract licensing enquiries you can check out my workshop!
The Most Important Thing to Remember When Filming Art Content
You do not need complicated gear to show your work.
You need something simple that lets you film while you are already creating. If filming is easy, you will do it more consistently, and consistency is what builds visibility over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Filming Art Reels
What is the best way to film art for Instagram Reels?
The best way to film art for Instagram Reels is using a phone with the back camera, natural light, and a simple phone stand. Focus on capturing progress and movement rather than trying to make the video look professionally filmed.
Can I film art reels with natural light only?
Yes. Natural light is often the best option for filming art reels. Filming near a window during the day usually gives better colour accuracy and softer lighting than many artificial lights.
How long should art reel clips be?
Most individual clips work best when they show movement or progress. You do not need long continuous clips. Short clips that show clear changes in the artwork usually perform better.
I found this amazing video which shows you what the MOFT stand can do much better than I can! It is super handy and best of all really portable.
