ldakers
Photography is a powerful tool for painters aiming to share their artwork, reveal behind-the-scenes glimpses of their studios, or engage their audience on social media platforms.
A particularly effective photography technique for achieving these goals is the FLATLAY.
This artistic approach involves capturing close-up images on a horizontal plane by positioning the camera above the scene.
Are You Interested In The Flatlay Method?
In this article, we will explore what Flatlay is and how artists can use it to enhance their online presence.
To all beginner artists or entrepreneurial artists, I am certain these resources will inspire your upcoming Instagram or Facebook posts.
Aerial photo for successful flatlays – Photo by Amylee
About Flatlay
In photography, a flatlay involves arranging objects, such as an assortment of brushes near a sketchpad, sculpting tools alongside clay, a colour range on a flat surface and then capturing the photo from an elevated position.
Flatlay is a photography technique that visual artists can use to:
- Diversify their posts.
- Share their creative process.
- Enhance their presence on social media.
Flatlay created with a sheet of paper and pencils – Photo by Amylee
Flatlay can be applied to a variety of subjects:
- l or pastel sticks.
- sketchbook surrounded by coloured pencils.
- paint splatters.
- painting palette.
- A bunch of brushes with old cloth
GOOD TO KNOW
Art supplies available at Great Art, a store in Shoreditch, London, and online shop.
Flatlay commonly used with art journals – Photo by Amylee
Why Should Artists Use Flatlay?
Visual and graphic artists can use flatlay in their Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest posts to captivate their audience with a distinctive aesthetic.
It’s a great alternative that enhances their online presence while showcasing their works in the studio in a different way.
7 Key Points With Flatlay
• 1/ Visual Variety
Flatlay allows for a diverse presentation of your artworks, capturing textures, close-ups, and intricate details that might be challenging to showcase otherwise.
• 2/ Visual Creativity
Flatlays are aesthetically pleasing and immersive, drawing viewers’ attention to the artwork in a subtle, original, and engaging way.
Flatlay with Etival paper pad and Derwent pencils – Photo by Amylee
• 3/ Artistic Storytelling
Flatlays enable storytelling around the creative process. You can include tools, brushes, sketches, colours, or anything that inspires you in the studio, providing an insight into the genesis of a piece of art.
• 4/ Behind-the-Scenes of the Studio
Flatlays are perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the artist studio. You can showcase how you organise your place, the environment in which you create (even if it’s just a corner of a table), share the materials you use, or even the books that inspire you.
Inspiring and easy Flatlay – Photo Amylee
• 5/ Audience Engagement
Flatlay images are often more engaging on social media as they stand out from the ordinary. People enjoy sharing and commenting on creative images, which can enhance your online presence.
• 6/ Focus on Fine Arts
Brands Used methodically, flatlay presents a unique opportunity to increase visibility for your art, especially when highlighting a specific artwork or range of colours.
When an image featuring a brand such as Liquitex, Sennelier, or Pébéo is shared on social media by an artist or content creator, it may catch the attention of the brand. If a single brand is featured in the photo, the brand may then reshare the image in its posts, creating a valuable word-of-mouth effect.
Flatlay created with Gerstaecker paper and palette – Photo by Amylee
Sennelier equipment in Flatlay – Photo by Amylee
• 7/ Potential Collaborations Fine art
Artists, content creators, and fine art material brands can collaborate to create flatlays that artistically showcase art supplies. These collaborations can be mutually beneficial, enhancing the visibility of the artist.
How to Create a Successful Flatlay?
There aren’t necessarily “good” or “bad” flatlays per se, as creativity and aesthetic appreciation are often subjective. However, some flatlays are more effective than others based on the intended purpose.
A successful flatlay generally remains balanced, caters to the targeted audience, and can serve a specific purpose.
• 1/ Choose an Appropriate Background
Use an artistic background like a light wooden table, part of your artwork, or coloured paper. Ensure that the background complements the materials.
• 2/ Balanced Arrangement
Arrange your items in a balanced and harmonious manner. Avoid visual overload by selecting a few key elements to uniquely highlight.
Studio supplies for a successful flatlay – Photo by Amylee
• 3/ Natural Lighting
Natural light is the best companion for a flatlay. Position your table near a window for soft and uniform brightness.
• 4/ Play with Perspectives
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shooting angles. Tilt your camera to achieve interesting perspectives.
This watercoloured Flatlay is mooooo-velous! – Photo Amylee
• 5/ Light Editing
After taking the photo, you can lightly edit the image to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation.
• 6/ Use Relevant Hashtags
Use hashtags related to the artwork or content photographed to increase the visibility of your posts.
Palettes and splatters for a studio ambiance flatlay – Photo by Amylee
• 7/ Close Framing
In an effective flatlay, it’s crucial that objects are clearly visible and their arrangement is accentuated. Too wide a frame can dilute the visual impact of the flatlay, reducing its aesthetic appeal and its ability to effectively convey the intention behind the photo.
Generally, a close-up framing with precise focus on the highlighted objects contributes to creating a visually stronger composition. The intended effect should be immersive, as if the viewer had their head directly above the table.
• 8/ Have Fun!
Feel free to experiment and create flatlays that showcase your paintings or sculptures from a new angle.
You can find great inspirations on Pinterest or Instagram using #flatlay.
Your followers will surely appreciate this touch of novelty!
I hope this guide has helped shed light on flatlays.
By the way, don’t hesitate to tag me on Instagram using @amylee.fr in your post of your very first flatlay after reading this article. Can’t wait to see it all your stuff!
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AMYLEE PARIS
About the artist:
From abstract blooms to floral portraits, Amylee Paris’s passion is to make her colours shine among her art galleries (Switzerland, Austria, England), her collectors, and her community. In 2009, Amylee founded amylee.fr: a Consulting Studio for Artists that has evolved into a certified training organization. She shares her artist job through blog articles, ebooks guides, coaching, and courses to assist people in professionalizing their careers in the art world.
Website: www.amylee.paris – Instagram @amyleeparis
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