How Long Does It Take to Do a Live Portrait Painting?

The time it takes for an artist to complete a live portrait painting can vary widely based on several factors including the artist's skill level, the medium used, the complexity of the composition, and the specific requirements of the commission.

Estimates for Various Types of Portraits

Generally, here are some estimates for the duration of live portrait painting:

Quick Sketches: A simple live portrait might take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Detailed Paintings: More detailed works can take 2 to 6 hours or more, especially if the artist is working in oil or acrylic and wants to layer and refine their work. Extended Sessions: For highly detailed or large-scale portraits, artists might take multiple sessions, spreading the work over several days or weeks.

Factors Affecting Portrait Painting Time

The time required to complete a live portrait painting varies based on the artist's skill level, the complexity of the portrait, and the medium used.

Artists' Opinions on Time Required for Portrait Painting

Artists share their experiences on the time required for different types of portraits:

A really good portrait drawing can be done in about ten minutes, while a bad painting might take hours.

Simple ones can take a couple of hours, and more complicated ones with fancy clothes and backgrounds can take several days.

Long-Term Commitment to a Portrait Painting

Some artists take a long-term approach to completing a portrait. For instance, the renowned artist Jack Levine started a portrait of his daughter Susanna when she was 7 years old. He continued to work on it for 60 years until he died, adding details over the years without significantly changing the head.

Here’s a look at the "Susanna as a Charro" by Jack Levine, featuring chalk lines on the hands and feet, indicating his long-term dedication to the work:

Types of Portraits and Their Durations

Most artists will paint an alla prima (direct painting) portrait in a matter of hours. However, this is a generalization. For large pieces, it could take three weeks or multiple sittings, with some notable artists like Lucien Freud taking eight or nine months, or the Dutch painter Vermeer spending up to eight years on a single portrait.

Typically, though, the work can be completed in weeks, often in one or two sessions. It can be challenging to predict precisely how long a specific portrait will take, but artist Natasha says she usually pursues portrait work over two-day sessions.

Conclusion

From quick sketches to lengthy, multi-year projects, the time required to complete a live portrait painting varies greatly. It's essential to consider the artist's experience, the complexity of the piece, and the medium used when estimating the duration of a portrait painting project.