Painting: Portrait Tips, Time & Size Guides

If you love painting portraits, you probably wonder how long a piece should take, what size works best, and which tricks make the image pop. The good news is you don’t need years of training to get solid answers. Below are straightforward answers that let you start painting right away.

How Long Does a Portrait Really Take?

Time varies a lot. A beginner might finish a simple headshot in a few hours, while a seasoned artist could spend weeks perfecting details. The biggest factors are skill level, complexity of the subject, and the medium you choose. Oil paints dry slowly, so you often spend more time blending and waiting between layers. Acrylics dry fast, letting you work quicker but demanding faster decisions. Pencil sketches can be done in half a day, especially if you focus on outlines and shading only.

A useful rule of thumb: estimate about 1‑2 hours per inch of canvas for a medium‑detail portrait. So a 12 × 16 inch canvas might need roughly 12–24 hours of work, spread over several sessions. Break the job into stages—sketch, underpainting, layers, highlights—and give yourself time between each stage to step back and see the overall effect.

Choosing the Right Portrait Size

Canvas size isn’t just about wall space; it shapes how viewers experience your work. Small portraits (8 × 10 or 11 × 14) feel intimate and are great for quick studies or gifts. Mid‑size works (16 × 20 or 18 × 24) give room for detail without overwhelming a room. Large formats (24 × 36 and up) create drama and let you explore grand gestures, but they demand more time and a larger studio space.

Think about the subject’s personality when picking a size. A powerful figure or a dynamic pose benefits from a bigger canvas that can hold strong brushstrokes. A delicate face or a subtle expression often shines on a smaller, tighter format. Also, consider the viewer’s distance—larger pieces are meant to be seen from farther away, while smaller works invite close inspection.

Practical tip: start with a modest size you’re comfortable handling, then gradually experiment with larger formats as your confidence grows. Many artists keep a standard “go‑to” size for quick commissions and reserve a bigger canvas for personal projects that need extra impact.

Beyond size, think about composition. Position the subject’s eyes about one‑third down from the top edge; this rule (the “rule of thirds”) works for most portrait layouts and helps balance the piece. When you’re ready, try shifting the subject slightly off‑center for a more modern feel.

Finally, remember that the best learning happens while you paint. Use these guidelines as a starting point, then adjust based on what feels right for your style. Whether you finish a portrait in a single weekend or spread it over weeks, the process itself builds skill. Keep experimenting with time blocks, canvas dimensions, and techniques, and you’ll see steady improvement.

Ready to start? Grab your favorite medium, pick a size that matches the mood you want, set a realistic time goal, and dive in. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can turn a blank canvas into a portrait that truly captures a person’s essence.