Create Irresistible Art and Paintings: Irresistible Subjects for Paintings

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).