Quantifying Artistic Effort: How Long Does it Take an Average Professional Artist to Create a High-Quality Realistic Painting?

Understanding the time and effort required for an artist to create a high-quality, complex, and realistic painting can provide valuable insights for aspiring and professional artists alike. The duration can greatly vary depending on the artist's skill level, the size and type of medium used, and the intricacy of the subject matter. Our exploration will dive into the typical timeframes involved, explore the reasons behind wanting to know this average time, and share firsthand experience from a professional artist's process.

The Average Estimation of Creation Time

For an average professional artist, the creation time for a high-quality complex and realistic painting can range from 20 to several weeks, depending on the size and intricacy of the work. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Small to Medium-Sized Works

For smaller works, such as paintings between 16x20 inches, the average time required can range from 20 to 50 hours, spread over several days or weeks. This estimate accounts for the detailed planning, sketching, and multiple layers of paint—the latter of which can take considerable time to dry.

Large Works

Larger canvases, such as those measuring 36x48 inches or larger, can often take up to 100 hours or more, given the increased level of detail and complexity. These works may require more preparation, multiple layers of paint, and drying time, extending the overall creation period.

Reasons for Knowing the Average Creation Time

The average creation time is not just a curious statistic; it has practical implications for various aspects of an artist's work. Here are a few scenarios where knowing this information can be beneficial:

Self-Assessment

If you are an aspiring artist looking to figure out if you can make a living as a painter, knowing the range of time required for high-quality works can help you set realistic goals and expectations. Additionally, understanding the time investment can aid in cost analysis, such as gauging how many works you can produce in a given timeframe and the potential earning power of your art.

Cost Analysis

For artists considering different styles or mediums, the creation time can influence decisions. For instance, comparing the time needed to create a realistic vs. abstract work can help in understanding the cost per hour or the financial value of different styles. These insights can be crucial for setting prices and managing the financial aspect of an art career.

Personal Growth and Efficiency

Knowing the average time can also help artists improve their efficiency and productivity. Understanding the typical creation time can motivate artists to refine their techniques, streamline their processes, and manage their time better.

Firsthand Experience of the Creation Process

To better illustrate the time and effort involved, let's delve into the specific process and time investment of creating two covers for a fictional book.

First Cover

For the first cover, the artistic creation process was divided into sketching and painting, taking a total of four days. The sketching took about a day, followed by three days for the painting. Adding an additional day for researching the knight’s armor and the castle, the total time investment before actual painting commenced was about five days.

Each day of creation involved approximately five hours of consistent work. The painting had two main elements: characters in the foreground and a castle and landscape in the background. The background was done first and then refined when the characters were completed. The time was equally divided between the two elements, ensuring a balanced and detailed approach.

Second Cover

The second cover was a bit more complex, involving division of the finished art into two illustrations. This process also took around four days, with additional time allocated for final revisions. Some elements, such as rabbits and a top hat, were ultimately eliminated, reflecting the editorial and creative input.

Technical Details

The sketches were done using 'Pablo' Caran d’Ache Black on tracing paper. The finished art was created using gouache paint, with additional finishing touches made with Caran d’Ache color pencils on 300 lb. Hot Press Arches Watercolor Paper. The surface of the paper provided a textured yet smooth base that held the gouache well, enhancing the final artwork's quality.

It's important to note that, while these figures represent the average effort for professional artists, individual skill levels, techniques, and subject matter complexities can significantly affect the total time required. However, these insights can serve as a useful starting point for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of the artistic process.