What to Draw? Ideas for Artists and Insider Info
27 October, 2024
The fruits of the artist's labor should bring him profit and steadily sell. And to create exciting art for buyers, it is essential to know what paintings are in demand now. Studying this issue is time-consuming, so we revealed secret information about the most popular styles and genres in the Jose Art Gallery. By familiarizing yourself with this review, you can replenish your piggy bank of ideas on what to paint to make your artwork sell quickly.
For convenience and better clarity, we will examine the most sought-after styles and then explore the genres of paintings that sell most often.
Realism Paintings: Beauty in Every Detail
Paintings on which ordinary life is depicted in detail and without embellishments are now well realized at auctions, not inferior to abstractionism. Portraits, landscapes, still life, and other good artworks in realism are attractive to collectors and ordinary people.
Why collectors choose Realism:
- The opportunity to see the beauty of the world in a new way. A realist conveys the shape, texture, and color of familiar objects in such detail that you want to admire them, including their imperfections, forever. For example, even an ordinary rose in a vase looks so delightful that you think you have never seen it before.
- To give the interior respectability and create an atmosphere of sophistication, realistic still lifes can be harmonious additions to the dining room, hyper-realistic images of tigers or other animals can be excellent decorations for the living room, and landscapes and picturesque portraits striking in depth can be highlights of a hall or bedroom.
- An excellent idea for a gift — a painting made with photographic precision that is easy to understand. It equally delights both professionals in the world of painting and ordinary people. Therefore, it can be safely presented as a gift. The giver will appreciate it.
In addition, realistic art is a good investment because it will never lose its value. If the author becomes world-famous, the investment can pay off dozens or even hundreds of times over.
Abstract Paintings for Modern Collectors
Painting in the style of abstractionism is a significant investment; it quickly grows in value. For example, Kuning's painting "Exchange", which 1955 was sold for $4000, went under the hammer in 2015 for $300 million. This proves that such art is equal to realism and academism and sometimes even surpasses them.
Why collectors invest in Abstract Art:
- Objectlessness – in a painting in the abstractionism style, there are no specific objects, but with a long look, you can see the faces of people, animals, various things, and a particular plot. One wants to look at such a painting for a long time, finding something new. At such interactions, the observer's brain works more actively than when considering easily recognizable objects.
- Attractiveness for designers - due to various forms of expression through color and geometry. For example, abstract expressionism can harmoniously complement any room, even a stairwell, giving it luxury and individuality. A bright painting with gold elements can become the central element of the interior, geometric artwork - a practical addition to the living room, and work in a colored field can be placed in the kitchen. Thus, this is the best option to decorate an empty wall. Abstract painting will only remain with guests' attention; its content can even become a topic for a lively conversation.
The buyer of abstract paintings does not necessarily need to understand what is depicted on them; it is enough to like them visually.
Impressionist Paintings: Light, Color, Emotion
Thousands of those far from art visit museums to see the famous Impressionist paintings. Exhibitions are held with great excitement.
What makes Impressionist paintings unique:
- Impressionism combines the best of art and reality, allowing artists to reveal everyday life in a new, special light.
- Exceptional beauty — with quick, short, and chaotic brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and intentional incompleteness, the paintings gain a distinctive magnificence.
- Despite the simplicity of the subject and seemingly careless execution, this art captivates and surprises the viewer.
Such paintings look especially winning in the interior. Their bright colors and play of light can breathe life into any space. A painting depicting the sea will defuse the austere atmosphere in the office or study. A landscape or portrait will be the best addition to the living room.
Expressionist Paintings: Bold and Unfiltered
At first glance, such paintings can be drawn by a child. However, Pollock's artworks with laconic titles "Number 17" and "Number 5" are sold for hundreds of millions of dollars, and children's drawings are dusting on the shelf.
Why collectors embrace expressionism:
Is it a global conspiracy, or is it not all that simple? According to professionals, the longer you study expressionism, the more you realize its value. You can not look at the paintings of Rothko or the same Pollock, and other masters fluently; you need to wander visually through the picture and feel the range of emotions encoded in it. Designers often use original coloristic expressionism to give the finishing touch to rooms. Therefore, many expressionist artists are successful in the niche of interior painting.
Contemporary Art: Innovation and Expression
Contemporary art is unique and experimental. Its boldness and freedom often invite viewers to engage with new perspectives and innovative forms of expression. Contemporary art captures the spirit of our time and evolves continuously to reflect the ever-changing world around us.
Why contemporary art is a wise investment:
- The value of these pieces typically appreciates over time, minimizing the risk of loss.
- Contemporary art attracts the interest of collectors, dealers, and leading galleries, ensuring a steady demand.
- It seamlessly integrates into modern interiors, adding a personalized touch to any living or workspace.
- A wide price range makes quality art accessible even for buyers on a modest budget.
In addition, owning modern art is prestigious, so wealthy people are willing to pay tidy sums for it. If you have just entered the world of painting, find out how aspiring artists earn today.
Surrealist Art: Imagination Without Limits
The paintings of the surrealist style continue to excite viewers. Their dreamlike, often fantastical imagery draws viewers in and invites them to explore layers of meaning and imagination.
Why collectors are drawn to Surrealist Art:
- Unique expression of imagination - Surrealist art stands out for its ability to transcend reality, capturing the subconscious and the world of dreams. Each piece is a window into the artist’s mind, offering viewers a chance to interpret and reimagine the world in personal and often thought-provoking ways. This depth of meaning makes surrealism endlessly engaging and appealing to collectors who value uniqueness and creativity.
- Rapidly increasing the number of artworks sold, despite the significant jump in price - only for 6 years, the cost of paintings in the style of surrealism has risen by 3.5 times, as confirmed by the auction at Sotheby's and Christie's. This makes purchasing such art one of the best investments you can make.
- In addition to the prospect of selling it at a cost several times higher than the original one, the buyer gets the opportunity to enjoy the painting, using it as a decoration of the study or home interior. It will add intrigue and surreal charm to the premises. No doubt, working partners and guests will be genuinely enthralled by it.
Street Art: Where Walls Tell Stories
This art has evolved like no other. In just 20 years, it has gone from graffiti on buildings, often considered vandalism, to a compact piece of art exhibited in galleries and goes for millions at auctions.
Why Street Art is a must-have for modern collectors:
Paintings, posters, and screen prints in this style can be a great addition to an interior. They are bright, dynamic, and understandable to people of all ages, regardless of social status. Street art perfectly enlivens the interior space and allows you to expand or narrow it visually. It is also a significant investment, confirmed by the paintings of Banksy and Baxia, the cost of which exceeded the mark of hundreds of millions of dollars. And the payback period is a small investment - just 10 years is enough to get a substantial profit. If you want to buy or sell your street art, Jose Art Gallery is the best place. There are many masters and connoisseurs of this style here.
Landscape Art: Nature Captured on Canvas
Customers notice landscape paintings. Everyone could make a high-resolution landscape picture, print it, and admire it. It's more complex. There are many advantages to a landscape from the artist's hand.
Why Landscape Paintings remain popular among art buyers:
- Emotional impact — handmade artwork carries a unique energy; landscapes typically soothe and help one forget everyday concerns.
- Space transformation — a landscape painting can completely change the ambiance of an interior, filling it with light or creating a softer, cozier mood.
- Comfort — images of nature bring harmony and a welcoming feel to a space, making it inviting for lingering, slow conversations, and relaxation.
Landscapes, including urban landscapes, are a mainstay of many art collections. Such paintings, regardless of style, whether abstract or academic, have a wide range of prices, so they are affordable to many and sell quickly.
Flower Paintings: Elegance and Serenity in Art
Flowers are associated with pleasant moments. When people buy paintings depicting flowers, they buy emotions, a symbol of holiday and unfading beauty.
Why Flower Paintings are loved by collectors and decor enthusiasts:
- Transform the design — placing a painting with roses, lilacs, irises, lilies of the valley, peonies, or wildflowers in a room makes it more inviting and cozy, filling it with softness, calm, and beauty. Floral paintings fit seamlessly into any space: from the hallway and living room to the bedroom and nursery. The key is to position them at eye level.
- Connect with nature — especially valuable for city dwellers. The more significant the floral painting, the more it brings life to the space. Collages also create a stunning effect.
- A perfect gift — while fresh flowers wilt in a couple of days, this bouquet will bring joy for a lifetime.
Still Life Art: Beauty in Everyday Objects
Paintings in the still life genre are incredibly aesthetic. At the same time, they symbolize material abundance and the shortness of human life.
Why Still Lifes are essential for every art collection:
- versatility - artworks in this style can complement any interior in the style of modern and classic, and they look worthy in the kitchen and the office;
- value for collectors - this genre is one of the oldest, so every admirer of art considers it his duty to own a still life;
- a solid investment - still lifes are often painted by emerging artists, and when they become famous, their humble sunflowers and apples increase significantly in value;
- skill - such artworks demonstrate the basics of fine art: light and shadow, reflexes, and perspective so that they can act as a guide for beginners in the world of painting.
We have noticed a regularity in the popular subject matter — buyers from the West are often interested in paintings depicting killed game. At the same time, images of flowers and fruits are in demand in the post-Soviet space. You can find still lifes to suit your taste at Jose Art Gallery, which offers artworks in different styles and techniques.
Seascape Paintings: Capturing the Spirit of the Sea
Paintings of this genre allow for establishing a deep connection with the element of water. The artwork, at the sight of which you can feel the sea breeze, will be gladly placed at home, even a person far from art. The beauty of paintings of the genre "marina" is not worth talking about because they are simply stunning.
Why Seascape Paintings are always in demand:
- Adventure — especially when a pirate or warship is depicted, sparking the viewer’s imagination.
- Infinity — the vast sea horizon brings a sense of space and freedom.
- Nostalgia — evokes warm memories of joyful vacations, childhood, or youth spent by the sea.
- Calmness — a single glance at the water’s surface helps relieve anxiety and brings a sense of peace.
A seascape is the best option for a nice gift for yourself or your loved ones. There is always a place for such a picture in the interior. Most organically, such a landscape looks in the bathroom (for such placement, you should choose artworks of moisture-resistant materials), in the kitchen, bedroom, and living room. It can also be hung in the corridor to expand the space visually. Paintings of the genre "marina" are often bought by hotels to enlarge and ennoble the rooms visually. Several seascapes should have and every self-respecting collector.
Animal Paintings: Capturing the Spirit of Wildlife
Such paintings are beautiful, especially for animal lovers. For those who feel a connection to wildlife or have a beloved pet, these artworks offer a powerful way to celebrate and honor that bond.
Why Animal Paintings resonate with collectors and pet owners:
- Connection to nature — wildlife paintings allow a close view of animals' character and traits, conveying their lively energy and bond with nature.
- Expression of solidarity — such images support conservation efforts and biodiversity, demonstrating alignment with organizations working to preserve ecosystems.
- Emotional connection — portraits of pets, especially personalized and custom-made, evoke warm feelings in owners and add a sense of coziness and aesthetic completeness to the space.
- Symbolism — each animal embodies specific virtues, such as strength, wisdom, or loyalty, giving the paintings unique depth.
Many people wish to have portraits of their furries, which is the best gift for them. That's why animalistic artists who do customized orders are in high demand today. In addition, animalistic products are an excellent investment because they will always be popular, regardless of trends, which distinguishes them from other trends.
Portraits: Stories Told Through Faces
The most expensive painting ever sold in the world is in this genre. Such paintings carry historical and cultural value and often become priceless heirlooms, passed down and growing in worth over time.
Why Portraits remain a collector’s favorite:
- Powerful impact — portraits capture a person’s personality, character, and mood, creating a deep emotional connection.
- Timeless — portraits are the best way to preserve memories over the years, as they are carefully kept and passed down through generations.
- Creating atmosphere — portraits bring life to a space, whether an elegant classic piece or a modern abstract, they set an ambiance that enhances the style of the interior.
- Focal point of decor — a well-chosen portrait, especially in an exquisite frame, becomes a centerpiece around which the entire room’s design concept can be built.
Famous collectors and investors hunt portraits in different styles because such artworks only become more valuable. In addition, they are understandable to everyone. A simple worker and an Arab sheik will linger on them because people are primarily interested in people, even on canvas.
Mythological Paintings: Legends Brought to Life
The iconic mythological characters of Greek or Celtic mythology are familiar to everyone. Majestic paintings depicting them are incredibly appealing and spectacular.
Why art buyers prefer Mythological Paintings:
- give any room depth and atmosphere, fill with energy and dynamics, and perfectly combine with classic and modern interiors - and in the latter case, create a fascinating contrast;
- are full of meanings, their plots immerse in history and culture, stimulate to learn more about the peculiarities of different eras, to think long and have intellectual conversations;
- give incredible aesthetic pleasure - harmonious compositions and detailed images of characters leave no one indifferent;
- inspirational - many people have their favorite characters, and a painting of them encourages them to develop the qualities they possess.
In addition, it is a profitable investment because mythological paintings are timeless. It is consistently among the top most expensive lots at famous auctions and is actively sold in online galleries, including Jose Art Gallery.
We hope you found the one that touched your soul from the above options and now know what to draw to make your art sell. We dare not delay you; it's time to get down to business.
