How to Stream Art on Twitch and Beyond

Have you ever wanted to share your artistic talents with the world? Well, now there is a way for anyone and everyone who has a knack for art to share it — live on Twitch!

This article will cover how to get started streaming on Twitch, what equipment you need, and how to be a better streaming artist.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a live streaming video platform designed primarily for video game streaming, in addition to music broadcasts, creative content, just chatting and much more.

Launched in 2011, it has risen to one of the most popular social media platforms out there. People watched 5.79 billion hours in Q3 2021, a 22% increase year-over-year.

Tap into that audience with your own Twitch channel!

How to Start Streaming on Twitch

The first step to streaming on Twitch is signing up for an account and customizing your channel.

Next, you’ll need the proper streaming setup. Keep reading for tips on how to stream digital art on Twitch and which streaming software and equipment you’ll need.

Finally, if you’d like to make money with your stream, work on qualifying for either the Twitch Affiliate or Partner programs.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details.

Streaming Software for Artists

Streaming art from any device is possible on Twitch with the right software. We of course, think Streamlabs Desktop is the best! 

Streamlabs Desktop is built on top of OBS with additional functionality and features. It’s incredibly easy to set up and the onboarding process takes care of most questions new streamers would have about getting set up.

Streamlabs Desktop integrates seamlessly with over a dozen widgets that are designed to increase engagement with your audience and improve monetization.

There are a ton of free features that come with Streamlabs Desktop including a game overlay for single monitors, a layout editor so you can adjust your UI, Replay Buffer to effortlessly save replays, and even a Selective Recording feature to toggle of certain sources in a recorded video.

Equipment for Streaming Art on Twitch

Computer or Mobile Phone: For digital artists, it’s easy to stream your screen directly to Twitch once you’ve installed the streaming software of your choice. You can use Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, depending on the software.

 

iPad: An easy way for digital artists to stream art on Twitch is with an iPad and an Apple Pencil. Wondering how to stream art on an iPad? All that’s required is streaming software for iPad. Photoshop offers a built-in option to stream on Behance, but for Twitch, you’ll need third-party software such as Streamlabs Mobile App.

 

Microphone: You should also consider a headset or clip-on mic so you can communicate with those watching. High-quality audio is vital when giving tips and presenting tutorials.

 

Camera or Webcam: In terms of equipment, the essential thing for streaming art on Twitch is a quality webcam or camera so viewers can clearly see your art process. Viewing details are especially important for the art streaming niche. Shoot for a camera or webcam that’s capable of streaming in HD quality.

 

Tripod: If using a camera or mobile phone to stream, get a tripod that’s capable of holding it in place securely overhead. This is most important for traditional artists.

 

Fast and Stable Internet Connection: The last thing you’ll need is a fast and reliable connection with an upload speed of at least 5 Mbps. Use a wired connection, if possible, because it’s more stable than Wi-Fi.

Not sure what your internet speed is? You can find out by running a quick speed test.

Tips and Tricks for Becoming a Better Twitch Streaming Artist

 

Keep these insider tips and tricks in mind as you get started. They’ll make your Twitch art stream more successful.

 

Tip One: Lighting: Lighting is a huge part of broadcasting your artwork. Aim for ample light from the side without creating too much glare. Find a way to diffuse the light with white sheets or a light diffuser.

 

Tip Two: Experiment with Settings: After some experimenting, you’ll figure out which resolutions and fps work best for your computer and streaming service. Keep a record of the changes you make.

 

Tip Three: Practice Makes Perfect: Streaming live art is sometimes nerve-wracking for new streamers. If something goes wrong during a broadcast, simply apologize and continue. No one is perfect, and you’ll get better with experience.

 

Tip Four: Make Sure Your Mic is On Point: Make sure that your mic is on! It can be very frustrating for viewers if it’s muted on accident. Always do a test run before streaming.

 

Tip Five: Make Money on Twitch: Twitch has built-in methods of making money from your art streams. As a Twitch Partner, you gain access to the partner perks such as monthly revenue sharing and ad-free viewing. You can also sell your art through Streamlabs merch store or link any Patreon memberships that you offer. Check out Streamlabs University to learn more about how to make money live streaming.  

 

Tip Six: How to Stream Drawing on Twitch: If you’re a traditional artist, you can still stream online. Simply set up an overhead camera to record your activities. You don’t have to show your face to be successful. But including your commentary will keep viewers engaged longer.

Popular Art Streamers: How it’s Done

Seeing how other successful streamers operate their channels can serve as a great source of inspiration for new artists. Here are a few popular art streamers on Twitch.

 

Somethingprettie is a Twitch artist focusing on oil painting fantasy art. She has 9.4k followers.

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. Remember to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Streamlabs

Founded on the belief that we want to help creators make a living do what they love, Streamlabs provides a robust suite of features to help creators better engage with their fans, grow audiences, and improve monetization. Building on this mission, Streamlabs is expanding its product with 1) Talk Studio, our browser-based streaming studio, 2) Link Space, an all-in-one bio link tool, 3) Video Editor, a video review and collaboration tool. And 4) Cross Clip, the easiest way to convert Twitch clips to videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.