Explanation:

- The passage talks about John being an artist and his ability related to art.

- Blank 3 needs a verb that describes what John could do with his subjects as an artist.

- Option 1: "plant" - This word doesn't fit the context of the sentence; planting is not typically associated with art or artists.

- Option 2: "plaintive" - This is an adjective meaning expressing sorrow, not applicable here as the blank needs a verb.

- Option 3: "paint" - This is the correct option as it is a verb that matches with what an artist does with subjects.

- Option 4: "painted" - This is the past tense and doesn't fit since the sentence requires the base form of the verb to describe John’s ability.