Color alone, in a mural or painting, can determine the emotional response of the viewer. When choosing how to paint a mural the tone and color have to be chosen carefully depending on the use of the space where the mural will be. This, of course is partially determined by the client’s personality. If for example, they have a hectic job, and like a quite dinner, then cool coastal colors fit well. A scene with water and low clouds and a bit of coastal fog is ideal. Humans are naturally drawn to scenes with water especially when there is a path leading to it. That is clearly an instinctual reaction from our evolutionary past. However with some clients who are exuberant extroverts, warm reds and natural golds are in order. If there is a sky in the scene, then it is an evening atmosphere with glowing clouds at sunset. For a more romantic, intimate setting, garden scenes are terrific. If they seem too intense there’s always the Roman style garden fresco with muted colors that are sanded down, and lightly aged to give the Pompeian look. In our nightmare epoch of being bombarded by commercials from every side that blast glaring colors in order to vie for our attention, people are shying away from color in their personal spaces. While understandable, I think this is a mistake. Color is a part of our nature and vitally important for our emotional well being.