Art follows its own laws and rhythm. And this naturally leads to the question: how much time does it actually take to complete a painting so that every drop of paint finds its place and embodies the essence of the artistic concept?
Let’s dive into the world of creativity and explore how many days can be spent painting with oil, and what this process reveals about the artistic inspiration and patience of the artist.
Factors influencing the speed of oil painting
How long will it take you to paint your picture? It depends not only on time but also on the individuality of the artist, the nature of the chosen technique, and even inspiration.
Main factors:
And preparation for creativity is quick and easy. In specialized stores, it’s easy to find everything you need: paints, solvents, various brushes, as well as ready-made canvases.
The main thing is to start painting. Find a comfortable place, set yourself up comfortably, prepare all the necessary materials for painting, choose an interesting subject and method of execution — the first step begins with preparatory work.
The speed of painting in different oil painting techniques
It’s important to understand the techniques of oil painting, and there are many, but four main ones:
Overall, the more detail, layers, and shadows you work into your painting, the more time it takes. This is why paintings in the realism genre often take much longer to create than those in abstract genres, where complete freedom of expression is allowed.
And let’s not forget about the artist themselves. Some create their works in a few days, while others may take several months. Creativity is an individual process, and there are no strict limits or schedules for how long it takes to paint a particular piece.
Speed of painting in different sizes
In the creative world, time has its own unique structure, and for artists, every minute on canvas is an opportunity to realize their ideas. However, how can canvas size affect drawing speed?
By the way, some painting masters prefer to experiment with unconventional formats, combining different sizes in one project. This way, they blend the emotionality characteristic of small formats with the depth and detail of large works.
The speed of painting by novice artists
Beginners require more time for the creative process compared to experienced artists. Experience and skill contribute to speed and high quality of execution, and repeated practice of various painting techniques makes the result not only predictable but also quickly achievable.
An experienced artist can easily plan each stage of painting, masterfully transitioning from step to step. On the other hand, a beginner may face unexpected technical difficulties, and sometimes the realization of their vision does not come easily at first.
Thus, the more practice an artist gets, the faster they develop their skills while maintaining the quality of their work.
If you are a beginner,
💡 focus on the basics of painting — perspective, composition, color theory. A good understanding of the basics will help you create quality work faster and expand your creative boundaries.
💡 don’t be afraid to try new materials and techniques. Experimentation helps you find your own artistic style and approach to creativity.
💡 analyze the works of famous artists. Draw inspiration from others’ achievements and learn from the best.
💡 carry a sketchbook and jot down all your ideas.
💡 And, of course, don’t be afraid to step out of your creative comfort zone. You’ll soon notice that you paint much faster without getting stuck wondering why something isn’t working or progressing.
The speed of painting by professional artists
Professional masters amaze with their ability to create high-quality works in surprisingly short periods. This is all thanks to their experience. Master painters can literally see their work in their mind and instantly bring it to life on the canvas.
The secret is that professionals make decisions quickly and experiment while simultaneously ensuring the quality of their work. They have already mastered materials and techniques to perfection and don’t waste time starting from scratch.
Before picking up the brushes, professionals have carefully studied composition, color theory, and painting forms. As a result, they produce beautiful, captivating paintings that engage both attention and our minds.
However, the speed of painting depends on each specific case. Sometimes an artist can literally “capture” a moment and convey it on canvas in a matter of hours. At other times, there may be stagnation where the creative process seems to go nowhere, leaving the canvas blank…
Overextending the painting process is also not advisable. No one will wait years for a modern artist’s painting (especially if you have an upcoming exhibition).
The best approach is a golden mean. Consider your experience, skills, and the subject of the painting in advance and get started. The sooner you begin creating, the sooner you will achieve results.
Interesting Facts About Other Artists
💡 Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, who embodied the splendor of the Renaissance in his works, was known for his meticulous approach to the creative process.
His masterpiece “The Last Supper” took a full 3 years to complete, with each apostle being meticulously and skillfully worked out. Da Vinci emphasized the importance of observing the surrounding world, which made his works unique.
💡 Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh, whose style epitomized passion and expression, amazed with his ability to quickly translate emotions onto canvas. The famous “Starry Night” was created in just a few days in June 1889. Van Gogh, with his tumultuous temperament, preferred to work in a highly charged state and very quickly.
💡 Pablo Picasso
A prominent figure of Cubism and Surrealism, Picasso was known for his extraordinary ability to rapidly shift styles. His famous “Guernica” was revealed to the world just a few months after the bombing of the eponymous city in 1937. Picasso brilliantly combined creativity with social response, understanding that sometimes it is simply unacceptable to delay.
Although the time spent creating a work of art varies for each artist, what they all share is the desire to express their unique vision of the world.
Great artists transcend time, creating paintings that live forever.
Question-answer
- Canvas size: large paintings generally require more time.
- Complexity of execution: if your abstract painting contains many details, complex lines, or subtle shades, it may take more time.
- Technique: different artistic techniques may require different amounts of time. For example, the “glaze” technique (applying oil in thin layers) takes more time than spontaneous and broad brushstrokes.
- Artist’s experience: experienced masters can work more efficiently and quickly due to their experience and skills.
- Oil drying time: oil paints usually require time to dry between layers, which can also affect the overall time of the work.
Typically, creating an oil portrait also takes from a few hours to several months. Some artists prefer to work on a portrait gradually and conduct multiple sessions to achieve the desired result, while others work on the project all at once and finish it within a relatively short period.
If the portrait depicts several people, it increases the overall time of the work. As with abstract paintings, oil paints require time to dry between layers, which can slow down the process.
Additionally, some clients may have specific requirements for the portrait, which requires extra time for consultations and making adjustments.
- Consider why you can’t finish the painting. You might be lacking inspiration or unsure about which details to add. Understanding the reason is the first step to overcoming creative block.
- Set yourself sequential tasks. Break your project into smaller stages. For example, start with a sketch, then add colors or basic shapes. Dividing the process will help overcome the feeling that completing the painting is far off.
- Push yourself. Set deadlines for each stage of the work. This will make it easier to move forward. Use a timer or calendar to keep yourself on track.
- Set creative limitations. Sometimes too many options can lead to creative paralysis. Try limiting yourself by using certain colors, techniques, or styles.
- Find inspiration. If you feel stuck on the project, take a creative break. Visit a museum, read a book, take a walk in the park, or talk to other artists.
- Accept yourself and your work. A painting should not be viewed as a perfect work of art; it is a reflection of your creativity at a specific period of time. Accepting imperfections and incompleteness can help you rethink your project and find new ideas.
- Get feedback or help from others. Show your unfinished work to other artists or friends and ask for their opinions. They might see something you missed or offer new ideas. Collaborative creativity and constructive feedback are powerful sources for overcoming difficulties.
Yes, you can. If you are varnishing the painting, it is generally recommended to wait at least a few weeks (or preferably a month to a month and a half) to ensure that the paints are completely dry. Otherwise, the varnish may seal moisture inside the paint layers, leading to problems such as bubbling or loss of transparency.
It is important to ensure that the solvent in the varnish does not dissolve the upper paint layers during application. One thin layer of varnish usually does not cause cracking, as its tension strength is insufficient to create cracks and breaks in the oil paint.
