Up your game with color 12-27-2016

Color - is the best way for you to up your game.  

Have you memorized the color wheel?

Have you memorized the color opposites?

Have you memorized the color triads?

Can you tell the difference between yellow orange and red orange?

What color is a tree, a leaf?  How many colors can you use to paint a tree?  Have you really looked at leaves up close?

I have seen trees painted in every possible color and often the more absurd the color - the more beautiful the end result of the painting.

While it might seem ridiculous, you will learn more about color by using the wrong colors and finding out how stunning your art will become.

One way is to use color triads for color schemes, such as red orange or purple for tree trunks.

The practice of painting trees, in a variety of shapes and colors, is one the best ways to develop your creativity and original style.

Trees are a universal symbol of long life, maturity and stability - a reliable subject for art.

The colors you like will greatly affect your use of color in your art.  And the colors will be a deciding factor in who likes your art.

The colors in a painting can be the single greatest eliminating factor in who buys or not buys your art, especially if all other variables are equal.

If you only use the colors you like, you are limiting the audience that will enjoy and buy your art.

Learn the colors on the artist's color wheel.

Memorize the color wheel.

Until you memorize the colors, it's hard to tell orange from red orange unless you hold them up against red and/or yellow.

Learn the emotional meaning of colors.

People who love blue, green and violet generally don't buy things that are bright red, bright orange or bright yellow.

Color preference cannot be predicted or even understood, but people seem to maintain their high preferences on one side of the color wheel or the other over their lifetime.

Of course there are people who have an overall appreciation for the majority of colors, which may be gained over time.

Colors can be uplifting - or not.

Lighter shades of color are emotionally uplifting.  Regardless of which colors you use, an overall light and medium shade painting has a much more pleasant, uplifting impact than a dark, moody painting.

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel can blend to produce neutrals which become varying shades of light, medium and dark.

Neutrals such as brown, sand and gray add "realism" to a painting.

Light, medium and dark are often referred to as "value."

In photography you usually have a white point and a black point in a photograph - with unlimited medium shades (values) in between.  Your painting should have a white point and a black point, even if they are not completely white or complely black, and they can be very small in size.

Bright yellow-orange sunflowers in a meadow convey a different message from dark pine green evergreen trees on a dark blue mountain side under gray cloudy skies.

A person who does not like the color of yellow-orange, would probably never buy a sunflower painting.  But that person most likely would find the shades of pink roses very appealing.

There probably are very few people who might buy a moody dark painting of evergreen trees in a dark forest under moonlight.

Many more people would probably prefer a light blue sky, green grass and assorted pine and deciduos trees next to a creek reflecting a blue sky.

A blue and green painting can take many forms, in various shades of light and dark.

The more you research and study the work of other artists, the more natural and intuitive your art will become.

Research will enable you to paint with more confidence, because it will be more obvious to you when the composition, elements and colors are balanced in a pleasing way.

Composition needs a center of interest, not usually centered in the painting, plus a balance of a light source, and shadows.   The center of interest can have a few supporting shapes or colors as accents.

The area of highest contrast will become the center of interest whether you plan it or not.

Research will give you a close-up look at how other artists use color in many unexpected ways.

Pinterest, Youtube and Facebook are among the best sources of instruction on technique.

Each brush shape produces very different marks on the paper or canvas.  A brush that is too large for details will create a much more loose or abstract stroke.  A small brush makes small marks, forcing you to paint with more care and precision.  Paint is very different in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil, watercolor pencil, pastel, etc.

Do you know the color songs?

Color is exciting - high saturation, yellow, orange and red or yellow green and turquoise

Color can be garish and loud - large areas of highly saturated red and/or orange with lime green

Color is peaceful - colors adjoining each other on the color wheel, pastels, green, blue, violet

Color is romantic - pink, peach, sky blue, lavender

Color can be dull - low saturation, neutrals, dark pine green, dark burgundy, brown, gray

The color intensity in saturation, lights and darks create the message. 

Color can be dramatic - high contrast of light and darks, opposite color wheel colors

1. Red is warm, exuberant, angry, shouts.
2. Yellow is warm, cheerful and sunny.
3. Orange is warm, jumps up and down.
4. Lime green is energetic and electric.
5. Blue is cool, tranquil, dignified, soothing, peaceful, stable.
6. Green is cool, harmonious and unifying.
7. Soft orange - peach - warm, is welcoming.
8. Brown is warm, dependable, traditional.
9. Burgundy is cool, adds life to dark colors.
10. Grey is serious, conservative, professional, sophisticated.
11. Black is permanent, alone it is depressing.

The dominant color - usually the louder colors - such as yellow or red - occupy the most visual space.  Even if they don't occupy the most actual coverage on the paper, they will convey the first impression and response to it.  You will see the red first.

Art can lower your blood pressure.

A more peaceful subject and colors will appeal to a more mature and older group who will value having their blood pressure lowered.  The right colors and subject can bring down blood pressure in such a way that a viewer may even notice a sense of peace.  Since they are more likely to have discretionary funds, it is good business to research subjects and colors likely to lower blood pressure - which are not lions and tigers, but would be water scenes, landscapes, gardens, plants, flowers, still lifes, etc.

That is one of the foundations of the business of art - what is the point of the story?

The Audience.

If you are painting for the market place, you are painting for someone else's enjoyment, not yours. Colors next to each other - on the color wheel - are visually appealing and harmonious.

1. Choose three colors next to each other on the color wheel for your dominant colors with an add (up to a 70/30 ratio) of the opposite color of one of them.
2. Choose five colors, or more. next to each other on the color wheel. The important thing is that you use all five (or more) of them.
3. Expand your color selection to include at least all the cool colors or all the warm colors.
4. Choose one color and paint in the various tints and shades of that color.
5. Color triads are another option for color selection, but they take a lot more skill, work and usually some additional colors to create a harmonious color scheme.  They can look forced if there isn't sufficient light and shadow to create variety.
6. Triads are equal distance from each other on the color wheel. 
7. Triads can keep your focus on creativity.

Triads - Primaries - Secondary - Tertiary

1. Red, yellow and blue are the Primary Triad - quite popular - and used to some degree by most artists.

Secondary Triads

Orange, green and violet are the Secondary Triad.  They are the colors created by mixing the primary colors with each other.  They should be stretched to include various tints and shades of each them, rather than just one shade seen on a color wheel.  It shouldn't be ovious that your painting is a triad exercise of orange, green and violet.


Tertiary Triads

1. The Tertiary Triads are the remaining colors on the color wheel created by mixing the primary and secondary colors.  
2. Tertiary - Red-violet, Yellow-orange, Blue-green
3. Tertiary - Red-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-violet

The Secondary and Tertiary Triads sometimes seemed "forced" when used as blobs of each color, since they are not colors usually seen in nature in those configurations.

Subtle additions of a few other colors are generally beneficial, such as tints and shades of colors on the color wheel that are adjoining the dominant color.

Color Wheels and Triads are on my "What's New" page.
http://falling-star.com/whatsnew.html

The most peaceful colors.

Nature has a preference for green and blue in combination with water, trees, rolling hills adorned with colorful flowers to lower your blood pressure.

The sky, ocean and seas consists of thousands of shades of blue and green. People who have spent time around the water are likely to want paintings that depict the relaxing properties of water.

Brown and gray add a contrast that strengthens other colors, and lends realism to a painting.

A drive in country can bring your blood pressure down.

You can bring that peace to your art.

Color should not be used in blobs of just one color, but in dabs, strokes, spots, flecks, splatters, glazes, shades, mixes, marks, scratches, and variations of the dominant color.  You can add accents from adjoining color wheel colors.

You can add one accent color from a triad.

You can add an opposite on the color wheel as an accent color will bring the colors to life that you can't get any other way.

Falling-Star.com  beautitul nature art

Color Wheels and Triads
http://falling-star.com/whatsnew.html

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 12-27-2016

Best Color for Great Art - 12-8-2016

The Best Color for Great Art

Great artists from every century have amazed us with their use of color.

They have created light and shadow using bright and dark colors other than white, gray and black.

They have created highlights using colors that are opposites on the color wheel.

The mastery of color in art to convey a message is the signature of a successful artist.

Color is affected by the colors around it. They often appear to be different than what is in the tube. That means it can be surprising to find out what colors an artist actually used. It is very informative to view youtube videos to watch brush strokes, brush shape, paper selection, and color choices.

Color can say many different things. Color can sing.

Color is exciting.

Color is dramatic.

Color is peaceful.

Color is romantic.

Color can be dull.

Color can be garish.

There is a color for everything.

The color is the message.

Sometimes the smallest changes make a dramatic difference.

Color will make the difference between annoying, boring, dynamic, sophisticated or peaceful.

Art can lower your blood pressure.

The best color for your art depends on your audience. You need to find out who likes your subjects and style. Are they male or female, young or more mature? The young don't tend to have $300 to pay for the art that took you 100 hours to paint. So they feel you are unreasonable and you are miserable because you are not making minimum wage. Be mindful of the financial resources available to the group who are attracted to your art. More mature individuals who can afford to buy art may not care for the subjects you like.

If you want to sell art, you will have to do some research and learn something about the marketplace and price points. You have to learn the business of art and the multiple ways you can work to actually make money.

Getting into a gallery or becoming "high priced" is the least likely way to sell art for most people because

your art is not "unique" enough

I'm not "feeling it"

You can do research on art houses and see what sells. There is an "art machine" that fast tracks art that is "different," has a "unique selling proposition," and multiple "art experts" who are willing to stake their professional standing on the art pieces going up in value. The "sales pitch" is more important than the "art." If you can convince me that I can see the "creation of the universe," the "soul having an epiphany" or the "rage of the persecuted" - you can probably sell a 12 x12 ft painting to someone who connects to it and will pay a fortune to hang it in their 1,500 sq ft foyer in their five million dollar house. And yes, it would be really nice if you show up in a very expensive car and clothes, so I won't feel stupid giving an unemployed individual a whole lot of money.

Gallery art and/or high priced art has to connect with the buyer's emotions or meet investment criteria

deep meaning or extremes of life

touch the emotions of love, rage, persecution

epiphany

the creation of the universe

judged by the "experts" to be a sure thing to increase in value - as this is the true meaning of the value of art and the basis for its price.

investment buyers usually are not art lovers.

it's not the artists who get the big checks, it's the resellers.

I covered some suggestions for selling your art in an earlier blog post. Some subjects do sell to art lovers and prices do increase as your art matures. Don't expect to get $1,000.00 for a painting just because it took you 100 hours to paint it - there is no hourly rate on art. As your art matures you will become more efficient and accomplish more in less time.

An artist who gets a lot of sales usually has a formula for creating multiple pieces at one sitting so that he/she can make them similar but different. Each one is an original but in the same style - the red flower appears in six (twelve or twenty or thirty) different locations in six different paintings and each is positioned/shaped somewhat differently. The pink flower also moves to six different locations. The yellow flower is not the same distance from the white flower in any of the six paintings. The vase is different - shape - color - location. The light and shadows are at a different angle. Good sketches can simplify the process even more. They are all originals.

There are several websites that can help you get started selling your art on products like coffee mugs and tote bags, etc. There are currently problems with image theft on many of these sites. Keep in mind your art could end up supporting multiple thieves and their extended families in many different countries - and they also may compete against you online. Don't use your best and most precious art for sale on coffee mugs. Keep it simple.

Selling 1,000 coffee mugs at $15 each, with a profit of $5 each, is much more likely and easier than selling one painting for $5,000.00. 

Color Speaks.

If you are painting for yourself, any color will be fine. If you are painting for the market place, you will have to consider the power of color to reach the emotions of the buyer.

Blue is cool, tranquil, dignified, soothing, peaceful, stable.

Red is warm, exuberant, angry, shouts.

Yellow is warm, cheerful and sunny.

Green is cool, harmonious and unifying.

Orange is warm, jumps up and down.

Soft orange - peach - warm, is welcoming.

Brown is warm, dependable, traditional.

Burgundy is cool, adds life to dark colors.

Grey is serious, conservative, professional, sophisticated.

Black is permanent, alone it is depressing.

White is refined and sophisticated.


Color sings.

Choose three colors next to each other on the color wheel for your dominant colors with an add (up to a 70/30 ratio) of the opposite color of one of them.

You can also expand to five colors, or more. next to each other on the color wheel. The important thing is that you use all five (or more) of them.

If you like, you can expand your color selection to include at least all the cool colors or all the warm colors.

There are other options as well - such as using red, yellow and blue as the dominant colors with minimal influence of other colors and/or blending.

Colors next to each other on the color wheel are visually appealing. This can help you coordinate your color scheme.

Color Wheels are on my "What's New" page.
http://falling-star.com/color1.html

The most pleasing color schemes.

The ones you will see most often in magazines and in furniture show rooms - are based on different shades of one dominant color (monochromatic), usually in the walls, fabrics and accessories, often with one accent color.

As mentioned above, groups of three adjoining color wheel colors are often used also.


The most peaceful colors.

If you take a drive in the country during the summer, you will see thousands of shades of green everywhere you look.

The sky consists of thousands of shades of blue.

The ocean and the seas consist of thousands of shades of blue and green.

Nature adds a little brown and grey for contrast in the trees and rocks.

And while they are not flashy, they are extremely pleasing and soothing.

A drive in country can bring your blood pressure down.

You can bring that peace to your art.

Color should not be used in blobs of just one color, but in dabs, strokes, spots, flecks, splatters and glazes of shades, mixes and variations of the dominant color and at least one accent color.

Accent colors based on a color in the opposite position on the color wheel, will bring the colors to life.

Color wheel opposites are cool, peaceful vs warm, energetic.

Color wheel opposites:

Green - Red

Blue - Orange

Violet - Yellow 

The dominant color.

Art is very pleasing to look at when one color, any color, dominates the image in varying shades, tints, etc.

The dominant color is best used in various shades, by diluting its saturation or "color mixing" with other colors, such as "blue and yellow making green".

Any color can be the dominant color - with different effects, being mindful of the voice of the color.

Multiple shades of green, can be created by "color mixing" with yellow or blue or red.

They are an excellent foundation for a painting when desaturated.

Green is probably the most used color in art.

Just like in nature, it is soothing and unobtrusive in desaturated shades.

Green in various desaturated shades lowers blood pressure.

Green "color mixed" with yellow - in various amounts produces a light yellow green which is cheerful. Dark yellow green is calming.

Green "color mixed" with blue - in various amounts produces a blue green which is calming in darker shades, but very cheerful in the lighter shades.

Green - "color mixed" with red - which is its opposite color, becomes less saturated as it gradually becomes gray or brown.

Gray is a neutral, subdued and sedate.

Brown is a subdued, gentlemanly color.


The most dynamic color.

Red is the most dynamic color, which can be emphasized or diluted.

Red is more appealing to a general audience when it is a little diluted.

Hot red and bright green are opposite and exciting colors, most often seen at Christmas at full saturation emphasizing the power of red.

Red appears the most dynamic in shades with a yellow, warm base.

Red can be used more freely in shades with a cool, blue base.

Red and green are seen frequently in nature, with red being the less dominant accent color.

Red is the most attractive and appealing when used

sparingly

diluted by mixing with green - graying down - old rose

adding white to make a pastel pink

adding black to make burgundy, maroon.


Feminine Colors.

Pastel colors are not masculine enough to decorate the male home.

Pink, pale yellow, pale blue, and lilac are traditionally feminine colors and should be used sparingly and with darker colors when decorating for a male household member or in an office.

Beige and grey, on the other hand, are gender neutral and can usually be used freely.


Neutrals are muted and subdued colors.

The saturated primary colors (red, yellow and blue) are diluted to produce neutrals. by "color mixing" with beige, grey, silver, black and the opposite color on the color wheel.

Neutrals are generally appreciated by the mature, sophisticated audience, rather than a younger age group (who prefer more saturation).

The desaturated blues are more like silver than blue. The whites are more beige/sand than white, which is a diluted yellow.

This use of silver-blue and/or beige-sand-yellow, which are both primary colors creates a sophisticated presentation, most likely to appeal to a more mature audience. 

Falling-Star.com  beautitul nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 12-3-2016

Irresistible Subjects for Paintings - 11-17-2016

Irresistible Subjects and Colors

What subjects should I paint?  Paint something with an emotional connection to human beings.

What colors should I paint?  Color families - warm colors or cool colors plus an opposite color on the artist's color wheel.

People usually have a preference for either warm or cool colors.  People who love blue will almost never buy something that is predominately orange and vice versa.

This bluebird painting is mostly cool colors: soft shades of blue, lavender, violet and green plus muted warm peach and soft orange accents (warm peach/orange are the opposite of cool blue.)  A person who loves red and orange would most likely find this painting to be either boring or just plain irritating.

This color combination is basically "cool" and harmonious.

Warm colors include most shades of yellow, orange and some shades of red.

Warm colors also include some shades of blue green and some shades of green.

These are simple color combinations that are difficult to mess up.  Many other color combinations can be stunning, such as primaries (red, blue, yellow), pastels (pale) or darker shades.

Colors are usually the most attractive if not used at full saturation.

Flaming reds and oranges are jarring to most people.

Additional color discussion coming soon.

Pictures speak more than a thousand words.

Willingness to buy a painting is based on a positive emotional (love) connection to the image, which can result in a purchase even if the price seems high.  Lacking love for the painting, they experience disinterest or revulsion.   Disinterest and revulsion make price irrelevant.

Even if they love your art, people can only pay what they can afford.  High prices discourage the average buyer who can purchase a calendar of twelve images for $15.00 and frames for a dollar each at the dollar store.

Art and photographs are admired on calendars, coffee mugs, fabrics and most commercial products, often at affordable prices.  Much more art is purchased as decorations on coffee mugs than on canvas.

Some subjects are popular art on canvas, watercolor, etc.

What if I want to just paint dinosaurs, rusty cars and fantasy images?  No emotional connection equals no sales.  These subjects have limited appeal.

Emotional connections and symbolism are attached to many subjects and are more likely to result in sales of original paintings or prints.

• Family Portraits  (Photos and Paintings)
• Tradition
• Roots
• Affection
• Eternal
• Togetherness
• Values
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Nurturing
• Peace
• Purity
• Safety
• Sharing
• Teamwork
• Teaching
• Togetherness
• Tenderness
• Trust
• Wisdom
• Forgiveness  

• Country Scenics
• Farms
• Fields
• Crops
• Flowers
• Barns
• Roads
• Creeks
• Rivers
• Oceans
• Cows
• Roosters
• Chickens
• Abundance
• Environment
• Good Life
• Hard Work
• Honesty
• Independence
• Safety
• Sharing
• Simplicity
• Success
• Wealth
• Wisdom
• God's provision - planting seeds and harvests

• Wild Birds
• Confidence
• Cooperation
• Ecology
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom
• God's provision
• Independence
• Leadership
• Optimism
• Peace
• Safety
• Success
• Victory
• Winning
• Wisdom
• Domestic birds don't have as much appeal 

• Geese
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Communication
• Success
• Victory
• God's provision

• Eagles (with or without the USA flag)
• Achievement
• Action
• American Dream
• Confidence
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom 
• God's provision 
• Independence
• Leadership 
• Liberty
• Power
• Pride
• Safety 
• Strength
• Success
• Winning
• Wisdom
• America, land of the free, home of the brave

• Wildlife  
• Adaptability 
• Cleverness 
• Cooperation 
• Ecology 
• Eternal 
• Faith 
• God's provision 
• Freedom 
• Good Life 
• Independence
• Mother/father's love
• Family
• Nurturing 
• Peace 
• Power 
• Safety 
• Strength
• Teaching 
• Simplicity
• Antlers - extreme masculinity
• Large cats - agility, raw strength, hunters
• Elephants - brute strength, long memory  

• Wildflowers, Garden Flowers, Botanicals, Fruit
• Growing in a field or along a natural wood fence
• Elegance
• Feminine
• Purity
• Seeds
• Circle of life
• Abundance
• Comfortable Life
• God's Grace
• Simplicity   

• Cats, Dogs, Horses
• A life experience of immeasurable value

• Whimsy
• Entertaining

Recommendations:

Study pictures from magazines, calendars, and the internet to achieve your artistic style.

Purchase a standard artist's color wheel from an art supply dealer.

Additional color studies coming soon.

Falling-Star double color wheel of opposite colors (copyrighted).

Falling-Star.com
beautiful nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 11-17-2016

Irresistible Subjects for Paintings - 11-17-2016

Irresistible Subjects and Colors

What subjects should I paint?  Paint something with an emotional connection to human beings.

What colors should I paint?  Color families - warm colors or cool colors plus an opposite color on the artist's color wheel.

People usually have a preference for either warm or cool colors.  People who love blue will almost never buy something that is predominately orange and vice versa.

This bluebird painting is mostly cool colors: soft shades of blue, lavender, violet and green plus muted warm peach and soft orange accents (warm peach/orange are the opposite of cool blue.)  A person who loves red and orange would most likely find this painting to be either boring or just plain irritating.

This color combination is basically "cool" and harmonious.

Warm colors include most shades of yellow, orange and some shades of red.

Warm colors also include some shades of blue green and some shades of green.

These are simple color combinations that are difficult to mess up.  Many other color combinations can be stunning, such as primaries (red, blue, yellow), pastels (pale) or darker shades.

Colors are usually the most attractive if not used at full saturation.

Flaming reds and oranges are jarring to most people.

Additional color discussion coming soon.

Pictures speak more than a thousand words.

Willingness to buy a painting is based on a positive emotional (love) connection to the image, which can result in a purchase even if the price seems high.  Lacking love for the painting, they experience disinterest or revulsion.   Disinterest and revulsion make price irrelevant.

Even if they love your art, people can only pay what they can afford.  High prices discourage the average buyer who can purchase a calendar of twelve images for $15.00 and frames for a dollar each at the dollar store.

Art and photographs are admired on calendars, coffee mugs, fabrics and most commercial products, often at affordable prices.  Much more art is purchased as decorations on coffee mugs than on canvas.

Some subjects are popular art on canvas, watercolor, etc.

What if I want to just paint dinosaurs, rusty cars and fantasy images?  No emotional connection equals no sales.  These subjects have limited appeal.

Emotional connections and symbolism are attached to many subjects and are more likely to result in sales of original paintings or prints.

• Family Portraits  (Photos and Paintings)
• Tradition
• Roots
• Affection
• Eternal
• Togetherness
• Values
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Nurturing
• Peace
• Purity
• Safety
• Sharing
• Teamwork
• Teaching
• Togetherness
• Tenderness
• Trust
• Wisdom
• Forgiveness  

• Country Scenics
• Farms
• Fields
• Crops
• Flowers
• Barns
• Roads
• Creeks
• Rivers
• Oceans
• Cows
• Roosters
• Chickens
• Abundance
• Environment
• Good Life
• Hard Work
• Honesty
• Independence
• Safety
• Sharing
• Simplicity
• Success
• Wealth
• Wisdom
• God's provision - planting seeds and harvests

• Wild Birds
• Confidence
• Cooperation
• Ecology
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom
• God's provision
• Independence
• Leadership
• Optimism
• Peace
• Safety
• Success
• Victory
• Winning
• Wisdom
• Domestic birds don't have as much appeal 

• Geese
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Communication
• Success
• Victory
• God's provision

• Eagles (with or without the USA flag)
• Achievement
• Action
• American Dream
• Confidence
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom 
• God's provision 
• Independence
• Leadership 
• Liberty
• Power
• Pride
• Safety 
• Strength
• Success
• Winning
• Wisdom
• America, land of the free, home of the brave

• Wildlife  
• Adaptability 
• Cleverness 
• Cooperation 
• Ecology 
• Eternal 
• Faith 
• God's provision 
• Freedom 
• Good Life 
• Independence
• Mother/father's love
• Family
• Nurturing 
• Peace 
• Power 
• Safety 
• Strength
• Teaching 
• Simplicity
• Antlers - extreme masculinity
• Large cats - agility, raw strength, hunters
• Elephants - brute strength, long memory  

• Wildflowers, Garden Flowers, Botanicals
• Growing in a field or along a natural wood fence
• Elegance
• Feminine
• Purity
• Seeds
• Circle of life
• Abundance
• Comfortable Life
• God's Grace
• Simplicity   

• Cats, Dogs, Horses
• A life experience of immeasurable value

Recommendations:

Study pictures from magazines, calendars, and the internet to achieve your artistic style.

Purchase a standard artist's color wheel from an art supply dealer.

Additional color studies coming soon.

Falling-Star double color wheel of opposite colors (copyrighted).

Falling-Star.com
beautiful nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 11-17-2016

Irresistible Subjects for Paintings - 11-17-2016

Irresistible Subjects and Colors

What subjects should I paint?  Paint something with an emotional connection to human beings.

What colors should I paint?  Color families - warm colors or cool colors plus an opposite color on the artist's color wheel.

People usually have a preference for either warm or cool colors.  People who love blue will almost never buy something that is predominately orange and vice versa.

This bluebird painting is mostly cool colors: soft shades of blue, lavender, violet and green plus muted warm peach and soft orange accents (warm peach/orange are the opposite of cool blue.)  A person who loves red and orange would most likely find this painting to be either boring or just plain irritating.

This color combination is basically "cool" and harmonious.

Warm colors include most shades of yellow, orange and some shades of red.

Warm colors also include some shades of blue green and some shades of green.

These are simple color combinations that are difficult to mess up.  Many other color combinations can be stunning, such as primaries (red, blue, yellow), pastels (pale) or darker shades.

Colors are usually the most attractive if not used at full saturation.

Flaming reds and oranges are jarring to most people.

Additional color discussion coming soon.

Pictures speak more than a thousand words.

Willingness to buy a painting is based on a positive emotional (love) connection to the image, which can result in a purchase even if the price seems high.  Lacking love for the painting, they experience disinterest or revulsion.   Disinterest and revulsion make price irrelevant.

Even if they love your art, people can only pay what they can afford.  High prices discourage the average buyer who can purchase a calendar of twelve images for $15.00 and frames for a dollar each at the dollar store.

Art and photographs are admired on calendars, coffee mugs, fabrics and most commercial products, often at affordable prices.  Much more art is purchased as decorations on coffee mugs than on canvas.

Some subjects are popular art on canvas, watercolor, etc.

What if I want to just paint dinosaurs, rusty cars and fantasy images?  No emotional connection equals no sales.  These subjects have limited appeal.

Emotional connections and symbolism are attached to many subjects and are more likely to result in sales of original paintings or prints.

• Family Portraits  (Photos and Paintings)
• Tradition
• Roots
• Affection
• Eternal
• Togetherness
• Values
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Nurturing
• Peace
• Purity
• Safety
• Sharing
• Teamwork
• Teaching
• Togetherness
• Tenderness
• Trust
• Wisdom
• Forgiveness  

• Country Scenics
• Farms
• Fields
• Crops
• Flowers
• Barns
• Roads
• Creeks
• Rivers
• Oceans
• Cows
• Roosters
• Chickens
• Abundance
• Environment
• Good Life
• Hard Work
• Honesty
• Independence
• Safety
• Sharing
• Simplicity
• Success
• Wealth
• Wisdom
• God's provision - planting seeds and harvests

• Wild Birds
• Confidence
• Cooperation
• Ecology
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom
• God's provision
• Independence
• Leadership
• Optimism
• Peace
• Safety
• Success
• Victory
• Winning
• Wisdom
• Domestic birds don't have as much appeal 

• Geese
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Communication
• Success
• Victory
• God's provision

• Eagles (with or without the USA flag)
• Achievement
• Action
• American Dream
• Confidence
• Eternal
• Faith
• Freedom 
• God's provision 
• Independence
• Leadership 
• Liberty
• Power
• Pride
• Safety 
• Strength
• Success
• Winning
• Wisdom
• America, land of the free, home of the brave

• Wildlife  
• Adaptability 
• Cleverness 
• Cooperation 
• Ecology 
• Eternal 
• Faith 
• God's provision 
• Freedom 
• Good Life 
• Independence
• Mother/father's love
• Family
• Nurturing 
• Peace 
• Power 
• Safety 
• Strength
• Teaching 
• Simplicity
• Antlers - extreme masculinity
• Large cats - agility, raw strength, hunters
• Elephants - brute strength, long memory  

• Wildflowers, Garden Flowers, Botanicals
• Growing in a field or along a natural wood fence.
• Abundance
• Comfortable Life
• God's Grace
• Simplicity   

• Cats, Dogs, Horses
• A life experience of immeasurable value

Recommendations:

Study pictures from magazines, calendars, and the internet to achieve your artistic style.

Purchase a standard artist's color wheel from an art supply dealer.

Additional color studies coming soon.

Falling-Star double color wheel of opposite colors (copyrighted).

Falling-Star.com
beautiful nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 11-17-2016

Irresistible Art - Star Power - 11-6-2016

Star Power  11-6-2016

Star power - people notice you - people notice your irresistible art.

Star power - study, practice, presentation, packaging.

Star power - art business - it is about connecting with someone who "gets it" - they like the message, they like how it feels to them.  Which is not necessarily the message you tried to convey.

Star power - your product with your art on it can become a best seller at stores near your home. There are many products you can print on your home computer/printer and enclose in attractive specialty plastic bags, stapled shut with your logo/sticker design or specially designed  business card on it. You can also have novelty items made up decorated with your art and offer them for sale as a coordinated set with an attractive price.  Packaging and presentation, with a stunning design, maybe in a basket, can raise your prices substantially.  The subject matter and the prices should be compatible with the lifestyle of the area.

You can have your art on 

• Gifts
• Collectibles
• Decor
• Design
• Greeting Cards
• Stationery
• Journals
• Book Covers
• Fabric
• Housewares
• Plates
• Mugs
• Paper Products
• Bath Towels
• Shower Curtains
• Bed Comforters
• Garden Flags
• Watering Cans
• Flower Pots
• Birdhouses
• Feeders
• Mailboxes
• Door Mats

There are logistics that have to be worked out:

• Publishing
• Production
• Packaging
• Distribution

The people who know what resonates with the local retail businesses are the people who are involved in local sales of products.  You can ask store managers what they would like to see from you based on what has been selling for them.

In a company, you want to talk to the art, marketing and sales people.  You can learn the most from them by working in their company.  You can earn a good income and increase your business skills. Talk to people who have been there the longest, they will be more seasoned to the nuances of successful sales for their region.

How do you see people?  You have to be willing to learn, ask questions, take advice, and watch successful people who have learned how to make other people feel at home, valued, respected and important.  The more successful they are, the more skill they have at keeping their opinions to themselves and just listening.

While you are perfecting your art style, developing your technique and finding your niche - it is usually true that you will not be earning much money from your art.  Almost nobody starts an art career being able to support themselves.  They may never support themselves on just their art but still be a successful artist and a successful business person.  It takes a lot of time and hard work to sell a lot of art and that may be prohibitive, especially if creating art is more important than selling art.

You have to be honest with yourself.  Do you actually want to do the work required to sell your art?  Or do you just want to create your art?  

There just isn't enough demand in the marketplace for framed paintings compared to the number of people creating art. You have to consider creating your own products with your art on them, either licensing your art or by managing the manufacturing of your products with an independent company.  Every product with some type of pattern or drawing on it was created using someone's art.  That includes clothes, furniture, curtains, decor, etc.

Our economy runs on design.  Every product had a designer.  And most successful products go through a series of design changes and consumer testing before they become viable in the marketplace. 

You can do consumer testing using your time, your money, your legwork, your advertising and marketing - and your own products sitting unsold in your parents' garage.

Or you can learn from watching the process being perfected on someone else's money.  But people don't share "trade secrets."  You have to go to work and watch them.  The best training in the world is simply watching an old pro.

You can take advantage of the need all employers have to train their employees to become part of the profit making machine of the company.  You can learn the art business the easy way - sales, art, design, decor, office politics, bookkeeping, taxes, etc. by having someone teach you about "business." There is a shortcut called on-the-job training, and there is a hard way called the school of hard knocks.

Not everything sells well in all communities.  Paintings of polar bears, cute baby seals and frozen tundra are not sold in Hawaii.

You need to connect with your niche.  Even if you don't know the people around you, the neighborhood you live in has a culture that values its symbols.  Some symbols are local: Times Square and the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Golden Gate Bridge in California and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Some symbols are admired, but less obvious.  Some communities have traditions, like hunting dogs and horses for people who may not actually even hunt themselves.  They may have childhood memories and love anything to do with hunting dogs and horses.

Local newspapers favor the news that revolves around family life, local tourist attractions and the values of the local community.

People who live or grew up in rural areas with a country setting, with long winding roads, few houses, some working farms and/or open fields and woodlands will appreciate art products that depict those settings.  These themes are often popular with the general population as well.

People who live near the ocean or a river often like art that highlights the coast, the sand, the waves, sailboats, seashells, underwater seascapes with porpoises, turtles, local fish, fancy fish, marine life, etc.  These are popular in the general population.

Horses in both wild and domestic settings, with or without people, and/or dogs and cats, hunting dogs, foals, barns, pastures, are popular in the general population.

Roosters, with hens and chicks, barns, and rural roads are popular in farm areas.

Cityscapes of local landmarks and tourist attractions, both natural and man made are popular.

Star power - is not all things to all people.

Your design should appeal to a fairly specific group or niche in the population.

Job experience relating to that niche will facilitate your connecting to them.

Automobiles are even more perfectly designed to sell themselves.  Even on the lower price points, the automobile calls to the human heart.  "You will look more beautiful here in this shiny, perfectly proportioned, perfect color and the right price that fits your budget, the credit is approved... take it home with you.  And if you don't buy it you will look ugly in that old thing you are currently driving."  Sold.

The artist's job is to pre-sell the product.  Your portfolio has to have "selling power," or you will be crushed by the competition.

If you don't get a job in the arts (or any specialty), more often than not, God has intervened to keep you from going over a cliff.  Later you will learn how God was working for your good.

Art is one of the most sought after careers.

There are more artists than there are people who want to buy art.  And even fewer people who can afford to buy more than a paper print.

There are more people who want to learn to paint art, than who want to buy a framed painting, and this is a group you can reach.

It is harder to be successful selling paintings than it is becoming an award winning country music star or making movies.  People buy new records and watch movies.   People don't usually buy art unless they are moving into a new home. The odds are against you making a living wage, big money or a lucrative career selling your framed art paintings.  

However, there are other options. There are many art related job opportunities that actually will provide a good income, a retirement, and income from your maturing art style.

If you think about the big picture - art and photography are everywhere and every business needs them to sell products.

Supply of interested persons for art/photography related jobs exceeds demand and reduces prices/income.  The inexperienced are usually eliminated first.

Because inexperience shows.  The more you paint, the better your work will be.  If you paint 20 paintings of a tree, by the time you get to the last two or three, you will see a shocking difference, even more if you actually spend time studying how to paint trees.

You owe it to yourself to do research, study and practice.

Supply and demand, experience versus inexperience equals low wages.

Every company and every job gives some kind of training.  Some training occurs just by being in a business environment, by exposure to other people and situations.  Career twists and turns will create opportunities and experience in business practices, off seasons, taxes, decorating, computer arts, software and design - things you would not expect.

Time, study and practice brings maturity to art.  Study art and business.  It shows.

Used books can be bought for pennies on the dollar. And there is much to learn on the internet.

Create more art.  Repetition will almost always result in the exquisite beauty of "accidents" - and the gold of serendipity.

Many people make money in art because they "learned the art business," not because they create the best art.   There is no way to explain some "art" that sells, other than the artist shook a lot of hands and someone was attracted to that art style, most likely because it was original.

An alliance with a gallery owner has made some artists and gallery owners quite wealthy. However, both the gallery and the artist may have short careers. It's difficult to create similar, but different pieces in quantity.  And "trends" can wipe out all financial gains.

Do the work, paint, design, and innovate.  Look for connections and opportunities.

Artistically inclined individuals are needed everywhere.

Become a business person.  Go further.  Earn more.

Being employed, even if only part-time, provides an income that allows you the liberty to make art you love rather than just trying to make something that will sell and pray for a sale.

Employment can get you out of the house and can open all kinds of doors. Experience is highly valued and very useful when it includes actual business skills.

Business skills:

• You will have to figure out how to solve problems that are unsolvable.
• You will have to work with or for people who are totally unreasonable.
• You will have to learn to not tell people exactly what you really think.
• You will have to learn not to curse when the pressure is on.
• You will have to learn to negotiate big and small issues every day.
• You will have to learn to be silent when people disrespect you.
• And then you will have to make everyone feel respected and valued.
• You will have to learn to do your job even when you want to quit.
• You will have to learn to let go of the negatives and focus on the positives.
• And the things that give you peace will become your consolation and joy.

Whatever gives you peace will become your art.

And people will want what gives them peace.

Star power - people will notice you.  Look for things you can do that will help solve a problem. Choose a project. Everyone notices you when you solve a really annoying problem.

Star power - many churches would appreciate a donation of religious art to hang on their walls,  And the work of God has great rewards.  A lot of people do attend church, even if only at Christmas. Many of them are small business owners in need of services you could provide either full time or for special projects.  It can be good for networking.

Star power - many restaurants need some beautiful art for their walls and would love for you to match and compliment their decor so that their business setting is upgraded.  Many of their customers may be small business owners who would have an interest in your art.  They may want to show your art for a percentage of any sales you make. Keep in mind, your art has to be a "fit" for the decor, locale and price points of the store.  Your prices should be within a comfortable reach of their clientele.

You can offer your art prints plus greeting cards made from your art prints attractively packaged as a set, but probably not as just a framed print. Many stores will buy them up front from you and sell them.  Leaving things on consignment is risky, it ties up your money and should be covered by a contract.  You can approach any and all places of business to inquire about a collaboration for sales. The subject matter is the deciding factor in making sales.  You may have to test several subjects to find what works.  Most businesses will not buy anything vulgar. Call ahead for an appointment and take some items that you can sell and leave at the store. Offer additional small add-on like stickers, a coffee cup, etc, for upselling.  A $10 product can be upgraded to a $20 or $30  product by upselling.

You can't sell identical greeting cards in two businesses who are closely located, but you can sell them in any business that wants them.

Very often the best art and/or greeting cards for local shops is represented by the interests of the nearby community

• national parks
• geographical landmarks
• oceans
• rivers
• bridges
• skylines
• shopping centers
• street scene (day and night)
• tourist spot
• sidewalk cafe
• boats
• sports
• horses
• hunting

Most communities have adult education programs and local clubs who would consider having you teach specific art projects that result in a finished product.  You know more about art than most people. You could also make great contacts.  Many people will buy from you if they are unhappy with their own painting.

Start a coupon club and bring your art to the meetings = offer art classes to the club members.

Offer free art prints, greeting cards, stickers and/or a coffee mug to people who have a painting night at their home with their friends who want to attend a painting workshop and paint their own painting.

Samples that you leave behind may disappear, so don't invest heavily in time, materials and frames that you leave on consignment or as decor items.  Losses are common in the business environment.  You should not expect the store to compensate you unless you have a contract stating reimbursement.

Your contact information should be on the back of all of your products.

There is a learning curve in all skills and all careers.  At best, it will probably be many years before you become established and make a good living from your art.  You cannot assume that you are going to be one of the few artists who really become financially stable from their art.

It is true in every business, the higher your price point - the fewer items you will sell because there are fewer people willing and/or able to pay more.

The higher your price point, the more unique the design has to be.  Look for ways to sell in the medium price market without investing in large quantities of inventory.  Create work inventory slowly based on paid orders.

It is wise to always be looking for opportunities to broaden your experience and bring in an income. But nothing is better than volunteer work, because it will bring you into contact with people you could never meet otherwise.

Co-workers, teachers, neighbors, friends and family will often be a good source of information regarding possible employment - which could be of value in assisting you with your career goals.

Positions can open up where you didn't even know there was an "artistic" opportunity and your art could be recognized and rewarded.

You don't have to try to sell your work.  You can talk about being an artist and people will ask to see it.

The more people you meet, the more likely you will meet people who love your work.

 More to come..


Falling-Star.com
beautiful nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 11-6-2016

Irresistible Art - Design, Successful Business - 10-22-2016

Irresistible Art - Design, for Successful Business

Art can be a wonderful hobby.

Art can be a business - maybe even a successful business.

Business requires a plan and a strategy.

Do you really want to be in business or do you just like to paint what you like?

Painting on canvas or paper is not the only way to sell art.

Do you know what it takes to be a freelance designer, an artist earning a living?

Aspiring to show your art in an art gallery is a worthy goal, and it is the goal of thousands of other artists who are still standing in line.

Many artists use a sketchbook for doodling, improving drawing skills, painting inspiration, practicing brush, pen, pencil, and mixed media techniques.

Up your game, increase your skills, try something new.

Serendipity is where the gold is, as explained by the dictionary:

• "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way"
• "finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for"
• "making desirable discoveries by accident"

Learning new skills is part of the job of  being a successful artist.

It is also highly recommended that you learn to use simple computer software programs to expand your capabilities.   It will allow you to use your art across more platforms.

With the right products, you can approach every retail store, many small/large businesses and sell online.  You can partner with someone else in the manufacturing industry by licensing your art.  You can put your art and/or message on coffee mugs, large cups, T-shirts, greeting cards and much more.

Designers create a need (want) or fill a need.

Steve Jobs taught us something about design.  The more original it is, the better, especially if it is something nobody else ever imagined.  If your art or product is "delightful," people will buy it when they don't need it and/or when it is the most expensive version in its field.

It's not just about creating art that you enjoy.

Business principles - people won't buy a design, a product, or your art unless it adds one of these to their lives:

• speaks to them in an understandable way
• illustrates a message
• improves their life
• reduces fear
• safety
• security
• combines functions, condenses, reduces size
• works faster
• simpler, easier to use
• organizes 
• solves a problem
• fills an emotional need
• connects, touches an emotion
• improves their mood
• gives them a voice
• decorative element
• matches decor colors
• appealing color
• sets a stage
• builds and represents the customer's self image
• aesthetically satisfying
• sheer beauty
• stylish
• whimsical
• incredibly cute
• relieves a private pain
• maintains health
• necessary to live

Who is the audience?  What is your vision?  What is your message?

Is something missing... wrong color... not enough contrast... uncertain message... just not delightful?

Components and stages of design:

• strategy
• empathy
• insight
• analysis of most important message
• define the goal
• theory
• rules
• concept
• research
• curiosity
• creativity
• multiple solutions
• innovation
• strategy
• prototype
• implementation
• competition
• desire
• functionality
• usefulness
• mood
• delightful
• value
• image
• shape
• brand
• communicate with the user
• engagement
• beliefs
• values
• behavior patterns
• culture
• flexibility
• what feeling is conveyed
• feedback
• evolution
• trend

Creating something for a business that fills a need or creates a need:

• get all the facts about the project - problem - goal - illustration
• investigate, ask questions, work from a list
• size of the location of use
• message
• goal (subject to change), test model, emotion, influence, money, traffic,  new customers 
• size of finished project 
• identify the colors that are currently in use 
• identify the colors that will convey the message 
• identify materials to be used 
• articulate the benefits and rewards of the project 
• articulate color vocabulary (yellow is happy, etc) 
• write out the known parameters plus new proposals including date of delivery
•  explain revision policy
•  explain early termination policy (both sides)
•  write out the details of the final project to be delivered and method
•  cost with 2 drafts 
•  write out the cost with additional revisions
•  write out deposit amount, payment schedule
•  obtain signatures of decision makers

• test the waters
• give away free samples
• drafts, produce multiple art drafts quickly, repeat 
• pivot, regroup as needed (as new insights are provided by the client about what they don't like) 
• keep spinning the best face on the project 
• learn and use materials and equipment at the expert level 
• avoid experimenting with new materials and tools under a deadline
• test for responses, appeal, acceptance
• persistence
• don't give up
• present the finished product

Your art has to say something to someone.

It could just be the realization of shared pain.  But usually, it is a positive, uplifting, encouraging message that connects.

And to be financially successful, it has to speak eloquently to a lot of people.

It's not about painting what you like to paint.  It's about you providing me with something I like.

More to come.


Falling-Star.com
beautiful nature art

Blogs by Dee Deroll

Blog: http://thosethatlovehim.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://deederollart.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://iwillshowyougreatthings.blogspot.com/

This Blog: http://irresistibleart.blogspot.com/

Copyright 10-22-2016