What Is Speed Painting, Really?

Failed Gouache Painting!

Jan 17, 2025

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What Is Speed Painting?

You’ve probably seen the term “speed painting” pop up on social media or YouTube, especially on YouTube. But here’s the truth: a lot of what’s labeled as “speed painting” online isn’t actually speed painting.

Why? Because many of these so-called “speed paintings” took hours, even days, to complete. The only thing “speedy” about them is how the video has been edited to fast-forward through the process. That’s not speed painting, it’s just clever marketing.

So, what is real speed painting?

In its true form, speed painting is most commonly used in the movie and gaming industries. The name says it all: it’s about creating artwork quickly, usually within a strict time limit, such as 2 hours or less. The goal is not to create a polished masterpiece but to use the knowledge and skills you already have to quickly lay down an idea.

With speed painting, you’re not learning new techniques or experimenting with fancy details. Instead, you’re working efficiently, producing rapid concepts, and assessing where you are in your artistic journey. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creativity and speed.

If you zoom in on a real speed painting, you’ll notice it’s not polished or hyper-detailed. You’ll see loose brushstrokes, rough edges, and an overall focus on the big picture rather than small refinements. It’s about getting your idea down, fast, letting your knowledge and instincts take the lead.

But speed painting isn’t just a practical tool, it can also be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to explore new ideas, try something outside your comfort zone, or experiment with wild concepts you might not spend days refining. Letting go of perfectionism can be a liberating adventure.

For example, I enjoy incorporating speed painting into frame studies. I’ll take a frame from a movie or show, interpret it my way, and see where it leads. It’s a fantastic way to track my progress as an artist and see how far I’ve come.

Recently, I tried this with a frame from Arcane Season 2. At first, it was stressful, I was filming for YouTube, and the pressure to perform got to me. But the moment I turned off the camera, the process became so much more enjoyable. Without the added stress, I could focus on the fun of speed painting and bring my own knowledge and flair to the scene.

This experience reminded me that speed painting is about freedom and exploration. It’s not about perfectly replicating every detail of a scene but about capturing its essence in your unique style.

So, the next time you come across a “speed painting” online, ask yourself: how long did it actually take? If the artist spent hours polishing every detail, it’s not a speed painting, it’s an illustration.

Speed painting is quick, raw, and imperfect, but that’s exactly what makes it such an exciting and valuable technique.