Speed painting: How to speed paint and create beautiful artwork
What is speed painting?
Speed painting is art that is carried out in a set period of time, where the clock determines how much time an artist has.
This can be anything from minutes to a couple of hours.
After the time is up, an artist can no longer make any additional changes to the work. Speed painting can be helpful for beginner artists to learn painting techniques, and for experienced artists to practice their skills without over-thinking their work.
Speed painting is often carried out by digital artists, who learn to work quickly and efficiently, but do not require the ‘drying time’ that is required by wet painters.
Artists in the film industry, who create storyboards and often rely on creating multiple concepts rather than a single polished idea, often use speed drawing to get their ideas across quickly.
Speed painting was made popular by the artist Denny Dent, who introduced speed painting for an audience in 1981, after performing with high emotion after John Lennon’s death.
Dent would often speed paint portraits to rock music, sometimes turning the painting upside down after completion to reveal a celebrity face.
With speed painting giving the artist an opportunity to show off painting techniques while still having a lot of fun, here are some tips on how to get started:
How to speed paint
Remember to use custom shapes
Custom shapes mean merging or layering different shapes to create something new and unique. They are often forgotten by artists, but are fun to use, easy to create, and are a great option to think of when designing or speed drawing.
On days when your work takes on an abstract element, you can play with custom shapes, using a brush for layering, copying, repeating and transforming them into art.
Focus on colour and texture
Experiment by filling a canvas with colour, and adding texture. Instead of trying to paint something specific, use a large brush to simply apply colour to the canvas.
This playful and experimental technique will help you to see what emerges, without going into a detailed painting.
Keeping brushes large means you won’t be able to go into too much detail. You can have fun with texture or transparency, allowing a new vision to emerge.
Limit your use of brushes
Creating a limited selection of brushes helps you to focus on the shapes and designs that you can produce using these brushes, rather than the brush strokes.
Using a limited number of brushes might take a while to get used to, but it will speed up your process.
Use the gradient tool
Once you have decided on your colour pallet, make use of the gradient tool in order to plan your colours.
You can use the gradient tool to select a colour for every aspect of the painting, from the ground up to the sky.
If you would like the colours to blend, use the eraser tool to blend the colours into each other.
Take your own photographs
If you want to build up a reference library for images, take your own photographs.
Going out into the world and selecting your own scenes means choosing images that you can use for good paintings. You might find moments which are atmospheric, or where designs are particularly unique.
This will help you with developing content for your paintings or having images to choose from.
You don’t only have to make selections from the natural world though. Old buildings, character faces or interesting street scenes, all make some excellent material.
Search for creative inspiration everywhere
Sometimes, it is those unexpected moments that create new options or inspirations. It’s the time that you spill water and it mixes with the ink of your pen, forming interesting patterns, or the time the mist on your camera lens shapes into a salty formation which provides a layer on your images.
These accidental moments sometimes provide new or interesting designs or opportunities that can be used as reference material for speed painting. Many of these images are unique and offer a creative opportunity to bring something new to your work.
Add texture
When speed painting, add intricacy by using a set of brushes which create texture. These brushes can often be found online. You could look for chunky brushes with hard bristles or brushes that will give a chalky look to the paint.
Choose brushes that will create distinct lines, those that will bring atmosphere, and brushes that will create forests, rocks, stone textures or even vegetation. This way, it is possible to work quickly, knowing that there will be reliable results.
Consider reference pictures
When preparing your images, ensure that they are consistent, so that you can work with them quickly.
This means checking lighting sources or perspective so that there is no need to modify or adjust your painting during the process.
This will save you time, and enable you to keep using your photographs during the process of painting.
Use your own knowledge – and experiment
At the end of the day, it is the knowledge an artist has of balance, flow, and composition that will contribute to making a good painting.
When starting out, instead of working with a set photo or image, you can use concepts such as shape, repetition and other tools in order to create abstract designs, and allow the process to reveal the form a painting will take.
This might lead you into new territory, creating a new and original result.
Keep your story simple
Instead of trying to say a great many things with the images you’re producing, focus on one or two aspects. This will help you to keep your painting simple.
Trying to share a great deal often means dividing up the canvas into two many different sections, which might be broken down to such an extent, that the meaning within the whole remains unclear.
Keeping it simple will help you to create an iconic image.
FAQ on speed painting
What exactly is speed painting?
Speed painting is this awesome art form where artists create a piece of artwork in a limited amount of time. It’s like a race against the clock, which makes it super exciting and challenging! The idea is to focus on capturing the essence of the subject quickly, rather than striving for perfection. Speed painting can be done with traditional media, like acrylics or watercolors, or digitally using software like Photoshop or Procreate.
Why do artists practice speed painting?
There are quite a few reasons artists practice speed painting. First off, it’s a fantastic way to improve their skills, like observation, composition, and color theory. Since you’re working with limited time, it forces you to make quick decisions and trust your instincts. Plus, it’s a great exercise to overcome the fear of making mistakes and to let go of perfectionism. And hey, it’s also super fun and satisfying to create something beautiful in a short amount of time!
How long does a typical speed painting session last?
A typical speed painting session can vary depending on the artist’s preference or the specific challenge they’re taking on. Some artists might do a speed painting in as little as 10 minutes, while others might take up to an hour or even two. The key is to set a time limit that pushes you to work faster than usual but still allows you to create a recognizable piece of art.
What tools or materials do I need for speed painting?
For traditional speed painting, you’ll need your preferred art materials like acrylics, oils, watercolors, or even pastels, along with brushes, palette, and a painting surface like canvas or paper. For digital speed painting, you’ll need a digital drawing tablet or device, like a Wacom tablet or an iPad with a stylus, and a painting software like Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Procreate. Just choose the tools you feel most comfortable with and get started!
Can beginners try speed painting?
Oh, absolutely! Speed painting is a fantastic exercise for artists of all skill levels, including beginners. It helps you practice your observation skills, color mixing, and brushwork. Plus, it’s a fun way to experiment with different techniques without the pressure of creating a perfect piece. So go ahead, grab your tools, set a timer, and give it a shot – you might surprise yourself with what you can create!
How do I choose a subject for speed painting?
When choosing a subject for speed painting, consider picking something that inspires you or challenges your skills. You can paint landscapes, still lifes, portraits, or even abstract compositions. Some artists like to use reference images, while others prefer to paint from life or memory.
You can also try participating in online speed painting challenges or prompts to keep things fresh and exciting.
What are some tips for improving my speed painting skills?
To improve your speed painting skills, practice is definitely key! Set aside time regularly to work on speed paintings and try to push yourself to work faster each time. Focus on capturing the essence of the subject, rather than perfecting every detail.
Experiment with different techniques and brushstrokes to find what works best for you. And don’t forget to study the work of other speed painters – you can learn a lot from their techniques and approaches.
Can I participate in speed painting competitions?
You bet! Speed painting competitions are a fantastic way to challenge yourself, meet fellow artists, and even win some cool prizes. Some competitions are held online, while others might take place at art festivals or conventions.
To find a competition, keep an eye on art-related websites, social media groups, or local art organizations. Just remember, the most important thing is to have fun and learn from the experience!
How can I share my speed paintings online?
Sharing your speed paintings online is a great way to connect with other artists and showcase your progress. You can post your work on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, using hashtags related to speed painting to increase visibility.
You can also join art forums or online communities where artists share their work and provide feedback. Additionally, consider starting a blog or YouTube channel to document your speed painting journey and maybe even inspire others to give it a try!
Ending thoughts on speed painting
Speed painting will assist you in developing and refining your skills as an artist. Whether you are just starting out, or an experienced painter, learning to speed paint will assist you with crafting your technique and give you space to experiment.
When you speed paint, you are able to get your ideas down quickly, allowing you to conceptualize and explore new thoughts or ideas without over-analyzing.
You can then present your work to a colleague or creative director. Speed painting adds to your artistic repertoire. It is an important skill to have.
If you liked this article about speed painting, you should check out these as well:
- Digital Painting: Concept Art, Techniques, Tips, and Tutorials
- Best drawing apps for iPad
- How To Draw Chibi: 33 Drawing Tutorials
- How to draw anime: learn to do anime drawings
- The dedicated page on Wikipedia
- Digital Painting Techniques
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Bogdan Sandu, a seasoned designer with 15 years of diverse experience, has been designing websites since 2008.
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
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