There’s no denying that the digital age has forever transformed how we, as artists, share, market, and create our work. Social media has become one of the ultimate states for showcasing hard work and talent. Staying ahead of art trends is one of the essential tools for growth within the art industry.
However, trying to be an artist and your own social media and studio manager simultaneously can begin to feel like a lot on your palette all at once.
From bold textures to interactive digital fusion, the landscape of social media artwork is rapidly shifting, and we’re sharing how artists can ensure they’re not only keeping up but leading the way.
Biggest Art Trend Right Now? Texture And Digital Fusion
One of the most dominant social trends in art across multiple platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, X (Twitter), Cara, Tumblr, and others is the rise of sculptural painting. Artists are embracing impasto techniques, thick applications of acrylics, and textured canvases to create striking, tactile pieces that demand attention—both in person and online.
At the same time, the integration of digital aesthetics with traditional media is exploding. Glitch effects, bokeh lights, pixelation, and even augmented reality elements merge with physical paintings, blurring the lines between traditional and digital art. This fusion reflects the growing influence of technology and 3D rendering programs on artistic expression and how our audience engages with our art today.
Is Social Media Changing Art?
Social media has absolutely changed the way art is created, viewed, and sold. Traditional gallery spaces are no longer the only way for artists to gain recognition. An Instagram reel, a TikTok video, a Pinterest pin, or a photo shared could launch your career overnight if it goes viral.
Social media can also fuel inspiration and innovation. With the ever-increasing speed of social media trending art, there is encouragement for artists everywhere. Social media exposes artists to new ideas, styles, materials, and formats they may have never considered.
For just a small example, time-lapse videos of acrylic paint pouring, behind-the-scenes process reels, and interactive live painting sessions allow followers to engage directly with an artist’s journey, turning passive viewers into active supporters.
However, it’s essential to also keep a realistic mindset that sharing art on social media is not always a positive experience. There are a few significant things to consider:
- Potential theft
- Pressure to cater to trends
- The risk of burnout
- Potential negative mental health impact
- Loss of ownership or control due to social media platform terms of service
How can you protect yourself from the negative aspects of social media?
While every potential and actual situation and artist is different, there are a few things you can try to ensure your social media experience is the best possible for you:
Protecting your Art:
- Register your work, if possible, with a copyright office to strengthen any legal claims.
- Use Generative AI protection programs such as Glaze and Nightshade.
- Use watermarks.
- Consider sacrificing a bit of resolution, as lower-resolution images discourage theft and high-quality printing or copying.
Protecting Your Well-Being:
- It is very easy to get caught up in pleasing others and likes. Don’t create your art for likes; remember to create art for you.
- Allow yourself to take risks, accept failures, and explore new ideas without fearing negative feedback.
- Don’t feel obligated to post constantly or reply to every comment: set healthy boundaries for yourself.
- Always take breaks and step away from social media.
- Focus on your journey and never compare yourself to another artist. Your progress, your art, your expression—they are all unique to you.
What’s Trending on Instagram Art?
As Instagram remains one of the most influential platforms for artists, many trending art styles are continually making waves. But recently, we’ve seen a rise of:
- Acrylic pouring and fluid art. Mesmerizing, free-flowing designs continue to captivate us and audiences worldwide, with #acrylicpouring accumulating hundreds of thousands of posts.
- Textured and 3D art. Bold, raised patterns, thick impasto paintings, or paintings with additions such as polymer clay for 3D effects command much attention in the feed.
- Miniature art. Tiny, hyper-detailed acrylic paintings are gaining popularity for their intricacy and undeniable charm.
- Mixed-media creations. Acrylics, blending with many other elements, such as dazzling gold leaf, inks, and even collage techniques, create visually stunning pieces that take on fresh and unique aspects.
- Sustainable art practices. With a growing focus on eco-conscious creativity, more artists are highlighting sustainable materials and ethical art-making in their pieces.
How to Get Ahead: Leveraging Social Media Trends in Your Art
How do we, as artists, work with what’s trending, and how can we stay ahead? Here are some key strategies you may want to follow to get your art and your pieces to stand out:
1. Engage with Trends Early
You can keep an eye on emerging trends by regularly exploring hashtags like #arttrends and #trendingart or hashtags specific to your medium, like #acrylicpainting. By identifying what’s trending early, you can tailor your artwork and content to align with what’s gaining traction—and perhaps push yourself to explore a new technique.
2. Create Shareable Content
Social media viewers and their algorithms lean toward engaging and visually striking posts. A few examples of these content ideas are:
- Step-by-step creation of an artwork piece through time-lapses or reels.
- Close-up texture and detail shots with macro photography, especially if you paint with traditional mediums or thick, textured acrylics.
- Show your work-in-progress sketch and transform it into your fully developed painting with compelling before-and-after comparisons.
- Engage with your audience (and your inspiration) by asking them for input on color choices, themes, etc., through polls or Q&As.
3. Optimize Your Hashtags
Choose hashtags that represent you best, but utilizing a few of the top-performing hashtags can significantly boost your engagement. A few examples of the top hashtags in acrylic painting right now are:
- #acrylicpainting
- #acrylicart
- #acrylicpour
- #abstrart
- #impasto
- #fluidart
- #minatureart
- #mixedmedia
- #sustainableart
4. Embrace Video Content
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok strongly favor video content over static posts or images. Experiment with creating reels that showcase your process, artist insights, brush strokes, favorite canvas prep—or even tutorials to engage your audience.
Stay Consistent and Authentic
And possibly the most important and most difficult challenge to social media art trends is staying consistent while remaining authentic. Sharing your experiments, failures, successes, behind-the-scenes, and creative struggles with personal insights can help you build a genuine connection with your audience and fellow artists.
Lead The Next Trend with Nova Color
Social media and trending art are dynamic spaces that offer endless opportunities for artists who are willing to adapt and innovate. Whether through textured acrylic paint masterpieces, digital integrations, eco-friendly practices, or sharing tips or tutorials, staying ahead means embracing new ideas, engaging with your community, and balancing self-protection and art protection.
At Nova Color, we believe that high-quality acrylic paint and exceptional artistic materials are the foundation for artistic excellence. If you’re ready to experiment with the latest art trends online, explore our wide selection of acrylic paint colors today and bring your creative vision to life on your social media.