Kevin Hayler: Professional Wildlife artist, author, and traveler.
The art industry is finding its place in the online world and Instagram has become the showroom for the art community. But how do you promote your art on Instagram and reach a wider audience?
Promoting your art on Instagram requires you to post your best art, at the best time, and with the right hashtags. You need an appropriate username and an attention-grabbing bio. Target the right people in your audience and carry out giveaways.
Using the Instagram platform for your art business is not a walk in the park. You’ll need a good strategy and be prepared to post your best images consistently to maximize your social media presence. It’s hands-on but a great place to showcase your art.
Let’s take a further look.
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Set Up an Instagram Business Account
Your first step is to set up a business account, not a personal account. Keep your business account separate and make sure all of your Instagram posts are strictly relevant to your business. Your account must be public to gain followers and be found on search engines.
Your business insights tell you:
- When most of your followers are online
- Your fan’s demographics
- How often your post was viewed
- How most people found it.
Your next step is to think up a name for your profile.
Instagram Username Tips for Artists
Using your own name makes your work appear original and authentic. It’s a great way of putting a real person behind the artwork. It gets your name out there and boosts your brand image. Make sure the name is not long or hard to spell.
Using your name makes your work appear original and authentic by putting a person behind the piece and works to get your name out there, boosting your brand image. Make sure the name is not long.
Add a keyword such as ‘art’ or ‘artist’ as a prefix or a suffix, to make it easier for potential buyers to find and remember you. This is an easy way to find new customers without even trying!
How to Write a Good Instagram Bio
Be intentional with what you write in your bio section. Your Instagram profile should mention what you do, who you are, and the value new followers will get from following you. Make it short, precise, and attention-grabbing.
Link your Bio to your own website and drive potential customers to your online store. The whole point of using Instagram is to get people back to your site. Think about your skills and the knowledge you can pass on. Give your potential followers a reason to follow and engage with you.
Read this for tips: Write an Artist About Me Page: A Great Bio in 4 Easy Steps
Your name and username are searchable, your bio, however, is not, but it’s important nonetheless. Do not neglect your bio, it creates your first impression.
As a side note, according to Forbes, you have 7 seconds in real life to make a good impression. Imagine how short it must be online!
Add your contact information and use emojis to save characters. You have a very limited space to deliver the maximum amount of info.
You have only one clickable link in your bio so make the most of it. You can use it to direct your potential clients to your homepage, alternatively, you can link it to an Instagram link tool such as linktr.ee.
If you have your own website you can dedicate a landing page with multiple links and do the same thing for free.
The Importance of Good Quality Art Images
Low-quality blurry photos are out of the question. Invest in a good camera and/or use hi-res scans. Ensure that you use good lighting, crop your images nicely, and get the angles right in your pictures. Take advantage of filters, but use them sparingly.
Your photos need to capture the potential buyer’s imagination, excite them, and showcase your abilities as an artist. The aim is to arouse their curiosity enough to encourage them to seek out your website.
Make a brand presence. Your feed must stand out from the crowd. You do that by coordinating colors and images into a coherent theme. You must find your own style and look
There are templates you can purchase and you can use platforms like Canva to easily create your own. One simple idea is just to add a white border and separate the images pleasantly.
Canva has so many ready-made templates that using it is a no-brainer. It’s free to use unless you need a few extras. I subscribed to the Pro plan to get access to their stock photos, folders (for organizing my mess), and the background remover tool.
I use Canva for the graphics and templates, but if you need a Photo Editor to use online use Photopea. They have a paid plan with no ads for a nominal fee.
If you need instructions just ask an LLM for help.
Use Instagram Reels to Promote Your Art
Instagram Reels are now the most powerful way for artists to reach new people. Even if you prefer still images, Reels are essential because Instagram pushes them to users who don’t follow you yet.
Why Reels Matter for Artists
- Instagram prioritises short video over photos
- Reels appear in Explore, the Reels tab, and suggested posts
- You don’t need to talk, dance, or show your face
- Simple process videos outperform everything else
Easy Reel Ideas for Artists
- Timelapse of your drawing or painting
- Before → After (blank paper → finished piece)
- Close‑up detail shots with soft music
- Your tools and materials
- Studio aesthetic shots
- “Satisfying” moments (blending, shading, peeling tape)
Tips for Better Reels
- Keep them short (5–9 seconds works best)
- Use natural light
- Add on‑screen text describing what you’re doing
- Use trending audio
- Post consistently, even once a week
Reels don’t need to be perfect, your artwork does the heavy lifting.
Artists Should Use Relevant Hashtags
Instagram uses hashtags to categorise its content, and they remain one of the simplest ways for artists to reach new audiences.
When you use the right hashtags, Instagram understands what your artwork is about and can show it to people who are already interested in that subject.
As an artist, it’s worth researching the hashtags used by popular creators in your niche. Look at the tags they use consistently and the ones that appear on posts similar to your own.
Incorporate the hashtags that genuinely match your style, subject matter, and medium. This helps Instagram place your work in the right communities.
Don’t aim too high. Broad hashtags like #art, #drawing, or #painting have millions of posts, and your work will disappear instantly. The big accounts dominate those tags, and new artists rarely get seen.
Instead, narrow it down and target hashtags with less competition. Tags with around 100,000+ posts are a good starting point because you have a much better chance of being discovered.
Use a balanced mix of hashtags to help Instagram understand your niche:
- Niche hashtags (e.g. #wildlifeartist, #birdart, #bigcatart)
- Medium‑specific hashtags (e.g. #colouredpencilart, #oilpainting)
- Audience hashtags (e.g. #artcollectors, #artforsale)
- Location hashtags (e.g. #ukartist, #brightonartist)
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, and when your account is brand new, using more can help you get those first few impressions. However, Instagram no longer rewards huge lists the way it used to.
The sweet spot today is 5–8 highly relevant hashtags. More than 10 can look spammy and doesn’t improve reach.
Avoid hashtags with 10M+ posts and overly broad tags. They’re too competitive, and your work won’t stay visible long enough to make an impact.
Smaller, more targeted hashtags give you a far better chance of being found by people who actually care about your subject matter.
If you want to keep your caption tidy, add a few line breaks before your hashtags so they sit below your main text. Instagram collapses long captions automatically, so your post will still look clean.
Avoid placing hashtags in the comments. Instagram now indexes caption hashtags more reliably, and comment hashtags don’t always register.
Compile a list of your favourite hashtags and save them so you can reuse them quickly. Over time, you’ll refine this list as you discover which tags consistently bring in the right audience.
Why Artists Must Post Consistently on Instagram
As weird as it may sound, posting on Instagram can be challenging. Your work of art may be beautiful, but no one wants to see it all the time. On the other hand, you need to be consistent to stay to keep your loyal followers happy.
Vary your content, show behind the scenes, art materials, projects, tutorials, promos, giveaways, mock-ups, announcements, and video content. You don’t have to post your art all of the time.
Before posting, ask yourself, would I engage with this content? If you don’t think so, then don’t post it.
Ensure that whatever you post, you’re comfortable with. Don’t overburden yourself trying to post every day. Try posting every other day. The goal is to be consistent, not bombarding your audience with content.
Before posting, ask yourself, would I engage with this content? If you don’t think so, then don’t post it. Ensure that whatever you post, you’re comfortable with. Don’t overburden yourself trying to post every day.
Try posting every other day. The goal is to be consistent, not to bombard your audience with content.
Yes — the Carousel section should be a standalone section, just like your other major sections (e.g., “Artists Should Use Relevant Hashtags”, “Why Artists Must Post Consistently”, etc.).
It should not be merged into the hashtag section or buried inside another topic.
It deserves its own heading and its own block of text.
And since you want it to match the style, pacing, and paragraph structure of your article, here is the full, ready‑to‑paste standalone Carousel section, written to fit seamlessly into your post.
You could try posting art on Monday, a behind-the-scenes on Tues, and a short video on Wednesday.
You can also use Instagram insights to see when your audience is most active, or use Meta’s built‑in scheduler to plan posts in advance. This makes it far less overwhelming for you.
Use Carousel Posts to Increase Engagement
Carousel posts are one of the most effective ways for artists to increase engagement on Instagram.
A carousel allows you to upload multiple images in a single post, and every time someone swipes, Instagram counts that as engagement. More engagement means more reach.
Carousels also keep people on your post for longer. Instead of scrolling past a single image, viewers spend more time looking through your process, close‑ups, or different angles of your artwork.
This extra interaction signals to Instagram that your content is valuable.
Carousels are perfect for showing the story behind your artwork. You can include step‑by‑step progress shots, detail images, or different stages of your drawing or painting.
This gives your audience a deeper look into your creative process and helps them connect with your work.
Here are a few ideas for carousel posts:
- Step‑by‑step progress (sketch → block‑in → details → final)
- Multiple angles of the same artwork
- Close‑ups of texture, fur, skin, eyes etc
- Reference photo → sketch → finished piece
- Mini tutorials or tips
When creating a carousel, start with your strongest image. This is the one that will appear first in the feed and determine whether someone stops to look.
Follow it with close‑ups or process shots, and end with the final artwork or a call to action, such as “Prints available” or “See more in my shop.”
Carousels are simple to create and incredibly effective. If you’re not using them already, they’re an easy way to boost engagement without posting more often.
How Artists Gain More Instagram Followers
Having many followers is good, but if they don’t interact with your posts or click a link, it’s not worth much. Go after your target audience by identifying competitor accounts that have a similar fan base.
Follow your competitors’ followers and engage with them, like their posts, and leave comments. The more you engage with other people, the more they will engage with you in return and follow you. It’s simple.
This strategy is effective because you will be assured of an interactive audience, and gain followers who have the same interests as you.
And don’t be afraid to ask for followers. Drop some teasers in your Instagram captions and announce what’s coming soon.
Read this related post: Is Domestika Worth It? The Pros and Cons for Artists and Designers
Promote Your Art With Giveaways
Giveaways increase traffic to your Instagram account, resulting in more engagement and more followers.
A giveaway post should be eye-catching and desirable to your target audience. You can pitch the offer as a time-limited contest.
Indicate the giveaway’s duration, what will be won, and the procedure to select the winner. Most giveaway instructions ask you to follow, like, and tag a friend. All these actions are geared towards increasing the visibility of your work and boosting your post in the Instagram algorithm.
After announcing the winners, remember to appreciate those who participated.
Another giveaway strategy is to offer a free digital download. It can be printable wall art, or preferably a mini PDF guide that would help your audience. Ask them to like, follow, and tag people, and direct them to the link in your bio which takes them to a landing page.
Have a download button with an option to sign up for your email list. Either way, provide your freebie containing affiliate links to other related products that might be of interest.
Communicate With Your Instagram Followers
Communicating with your followers is paramount. Create time to respond to their comments, questions, and messages. It is only fair to reciprocate and reply, even if it’s only an emoji.
Try to look for the positive side of any negative comment and respond from that perspective. Don’t automatically ignore them. You’ll come across as genuine.
This also helps build a relationship between you and your audience. Be kind and generous, and ensure you offer top-notch customer service.
By asking questions or posting a poll, you’ll get engagement. Your followers may not respond at first, but be patient, and don’t stop asking questions. Find a voice that speaks to your followers and stick to it.
Check this out: Social Media For Artists: The Best 13 Platforms for Creatives
Use Instagram SEO to Help People Find Your Art
Instagram now works much more like a search engine. People don’t just scroll anymore, they actively search for things like “wildlife artist,” “oil painting tutorials,” or “bird art”
If your profile and posts aren’t optimised for search, you’re missing out on a huge source of organic discovery.
Instagram uses keywords in your profile, captions, alt text, and even on‑screen text in your Reels to understand what your content is about. The clearer you are, the easier it is for Instagram to show your work to the right people.
Start by optimizing your profile.
Add your niche to your name field, such as “Kevin – Wildlife Artist,” so you appear when someone searches for wildlife art. Use relevant keywords in your bio too. Describe your medium, subjects, and style in simple terms that people might actually type into the search bar.
Your posts should also include keywords.
Write captions that describe what you’re drawing or painting in natural language. For example: “Colored pencil drawing of a Persian cat” or “Oil painting of a red fox in winter light.” Instagram reads this text and uses it to categorize your content.
Reels benefit from SEO as well. Adding short, descriptive text on the screen, such as “Drawing a tiger in colored pencil” helps Instagram understand the topic of your video. This increases your chances of appearing in search results and suggested content.
Don’t forget alt text. Instagram allows you to add a description of your image for accessibility, and the algorithm uses this information too.
Write a simple, accurate description of your artwork, such as “Realistic colored pencil drawing of a tiger with detailed fur texture.”
The more clearly you describe your art, the easier it is for Instagram to match your content with people who are already interested in your subject matter.
Promote Your Services on Instagram
I use Instagram, but I must confess that I don’t post anymore. Why? Because like all platforms that seem to be the answer to your prayers, it takes too much time. I have other things to do, write blogs for example.
I am a user, however, and I’ve seen how some artists use Instagram to promote their businesses successfully.
I follow Stephen Bauman. He uses Instagram to showcase his talent and run short tutorials. He leads them back to his Patreon channel. I know that because I signed up!
As you can see he is a portrait artist. I signed up to find out what tools he uses and to see if I can use his drawing techniques with my wildlife art.
For more advanced tuition consider Stephen Bauman. He is classically trained and has a very academic approach to his art. This guy knows his stuff and is a very good tutor
I’m also amazed by Jennifer Gennari and her fantastic pet portraits. I love her wonderful expressive painting technique.
Jennifer promotes her workshops, courses, and commissions. Her gallery seems to be sold out!
I also follow John Fennerov who directs his followers to his Patreon channel. You can see how he uses the new buttons feature to promote his art. What a great idea. Instagram just got a whole lot better.
I love John’s wonderful ability to draw in the most painterly way. I’m envious of his abilities with charcoal and intrigued by some of his digital sketches.
As you can see there is plenty of scope to promote your art on Instagram, as these guys prove.
AI‑Generated Content: What Artists Need to Know
AI art has become extremely common on Instagram, and it has changed the way people view and share artwork online.
Whether you use AI tools or not, it’s important to understand how they affect visibility, trust, and the way your audience perceives your work.
If you use AI in any part of your creative process, be transparent about it. Many artists now use AI to generate references, test compositions, or explore colour ideas before creating the final piece traditionally.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but your audience will appreciate honesty. A simple note such as “AI‑assisted reference” or “Composition generated with AI, artwork drawn traditionally” helps set clear expectations.
If you don’t use AI at all, say so. With so much AI‑generated content flooding Instagram, many collectors and art lovers actively seek out hand‑drawn, hand‑painted, or fully traditional work.
Adding a short line like “Hand‑drawn wildlife art — no AI” can help you stand out and reassure your audience that your work is created by you.
Instagram’s algorithm can detect AI‑generated images, and it may categorise them differently from traditional artwork.
This doesn’t mean AI art is penalised, but it does mean that clearly defining your process helps Instagram understand your content and show it to the right people.
Whether you embrace AI or avoid it entirely, being open about your process builds trust and helps your audience connect with your work.
Tools for Artists on Instagram
Instagram has introduced several new tools that make it easier for artists to post consistently, analyse performance, and connect with their audience. These features can save you time and help you grow your account more effectively.
One of the most useful additions is Meta’s built‑in scheduler. You can now schedule posts, Reels, and carousels directly inside Instagram or through Facebook’s Creator Studio.
This allows you to plan your content in advance, post at the best times, and stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
The Professional Dashboard has also improved. It gives you clear insights into your account growth, your top‑performing posts, and the times your audience is most active.
These analytics help you understand what’s working so you can create more of the content your followers enjoy.
Instagram has also added collaboration posts. This feature lets you co‑post with another artist, brand, or account. When you collaborate, the post appears on both profiles and reaches both audiences, which can dramatically increase your visibility.
Broadcast Channels are another useful tool. They allow you to send updates directly to your followers, such as print releases, behind‑the‑scenes content, or special announcements. It’s a simple way to keep your most engaged followers in the loop.
Finally, Instagram now supports paid subscriptions. Artists can offer exclusive tutorials, behind‑the‑scenes videos, or monthly lessons to subscribers. This gives you another way to earn income from your art while building a closer connection with your audience.
These tools make Instagram far more powerful for artists than it was a few years ago, and using them can help you grow your presence with less effort.
How to Promote Your Art on Instagram: Final Thoughts
Instagram remains one of the best platforms for visual artists to showcase their work and reach new audiences. To get the most out of it, you need a business account, a clear niche, and a commitment to posting high‑quality content consistently.
Growing on Instagram still takes time, but it’s absolutely achievable. Focus on creating valuable posts, engaging with your followers, and using the platform’s tools to your advantage.
Share your work across Meta’s ecosystem, experiment with Reels and carousels, and use insights to understand what your audience responds to.
If the process feels overwhelming, take it step by step. You don’t need to be everywhere at once.
Choose one or two platforms you enjoy, Instagram plus one other, and build a routine you can stick to. With patience, consistency, and a clear strategy, you can grow your audience and promote your art effectively.
Good luck, and keep creating.
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy