the object basically is to create a complete image in a minimal amount of time. the time however is decided by yourself. a speedpaint for me is usually about 30 minutes but can sometimes go a little longer. if it takes more than 60 minutes then I don't call it a speedpaint anymore for me anyway. also, how complete an image is when you finish is also up to you.

basically an image done to your personal satisfaction in a short time as to your choosing.  

My idea of speed paint is more of a slow paint or...how shall I say it.

One stroke, a vibrant hue of colour, form and composition in 50 strokes, as long as each stroke/line and form is considered and thought out

sure.

Would you like the red wine or the white wine? And would you like the house wine or the expensive wine (that may or may not taste great).

Everyone is correct in their interpretation of speed paint.

• Essentially, fable is correct in stating that one tries to paint an image in the shortest amount of time possible. In our studio, we work on 20 minnute speedpaints daily. But....

During the performance of a speedpaint, what is your desired outcome?

Chunder Vs Thunder 

I certainly, would not desire to produce chunder. It would be akin to rowing furiously on a boat with two forks. One would desire to be underway, with two strong oars, that you image leaps out, in such looseness and yet retain all the basic qualities of an illustration, and yet have such subtle artfulness, that only a slight dash of detail at a focal point, produces a pleasing result.

One could apply many strokes, scribbles and gaudy applications of colour and at the end of said time limit, what kind of image will be the result? An unfinished rudimentary image would not qualify for a speed paint as such. And it is a real misnomer to intorduce a artist new to the digital arts of teh allure of speedpaints. It will ruin their skill, understanding and set up bad habits.

Thats right. It will ruin their skill.

And having learnt the hard way. It can take literally years to undo and relearn a more systematic, efficient method to digital painting. Still. There is no one right way. But I would like to advocate a more efficient way.

Speed from Concious Thought 

A speedpaint, cannot produce an informed painting without the rudimentary basics of traditional paintings. I.e Composition. Lighting. Colour. Form. Negative/positive shapes. Perspective.

It is only, when you have the basics of all of these, that when you perform a speedpaint, it should represent a culmination of all your artful skill. As if, it were the distilation of your most masterful ability to paint. As if within that limited strokes. your life depended on it, (if you painted any more yoru life force would diminish so to speeak) and the picture was painted in your blood and lifeforce.

And thus.

I say speedpaints, should be thought of as a slow paint. This is my interpretation of a speedpaint.

Speed comes from deliberate, calculated, conscious application reflecting the strength, confidence and boldness of each Stroke

A single stroke, (in the right direction, altitude, dipped in colour, tone, width, bursh type, harness, opacity) can describe a horizon.

A single stroke with a two flicks, can describe a man (human based lifeform, often known as man, but can denote woe-man as well. Two flicks, decribes a single varying base tone and a lighter highlight or singular shadow)

A singular circular stroke, you can describe a mass (be it a sun, a sphere, a humanoid torso, abdomen) - set your brush to pick up all colours so it runs like oils

So, theaterics aside and to get back to point.

Paint conciously, and paint with vigour when you next slow paint your next masterpiece

NB: Of course, Orphan Works may make your masterpiece null and void. :) 

koshime:

sure.

Would you like the red wine or the white wine? And would you like the house wine or the expensive wine (that may or may not taste great).

just the vodka please.

err so you did complicate it then? ha ha, no this is really helpful Koshime, thank you for elaborating.

RE:

koshime:

Chunder Vs Thunder 

i've never heard anyone describe speedpaints like this before .  really interesting way of looking at it.

i've come across a similar concept before in writing short stories... there's a format that gets called a drabble.  Which is a short story written in exactly 100 words, including the title! I've tried it, and it makes you really consider each and every word so very carefully.. i'd never considered trying this approach with a painting.

i will now though..

Well.

If you are going to be very strict. I'll allow you to take the challenge.

Think of it like the sword discipline of iajutsu.

One stroke. One kill.

That is why, in some japanese serials, you see two warriors "posing" around one another for many a moment. The fact is. They are trying to creep one another out. The one that moves first loses. A facial tic. A loss of concentration. For he who moves first, shows where he is likely to draw his sword. Both opponents visualise the likely outcome. And respond or move before the opponent moves to their predicted target.

So that when the moment comes. When the life is down to the wire. The stroke will let you live another day or die. 

Do you feel lucky punk! Do ya 

So for a OSOK painting. Imagine trying to paint with only 50 strokes.
With discipline. You can paint with the most economic of strokes and the least amount of time, than a conventional "speedpaint"

It is why, when you get the painting right the first time. The correct perspective, angle and composition, The painting will work for sure. Whereas, if the perspective is wrong. no amount of fudging, repair. colour or tricks will help to correct that deficit.

This is thus, painting of the highest calibre, if interpreted and practiced in the most sincere manner 

I just set myself a time anything from 30mins to an hour normally ( although I class anything up to 5 hours a speed paint for me as I am not very fast) and see what I can come up with in that time trying not plan anything before I start. The results can sometimes be very rewarding.

I do this when I am at an absolute blank too as it can help throw up some ideas subconsciously  

koshime:

Well.

If you are going to be very strict. I'll allow you to take the challenge.

Think of it like the sword discipline of iajutsu.

One stroke. One kill.

btw, your avatar really suits you... that hard-edged taskmaster type of guy

koshime:

That is why, in some japanese serials, you see two warriors "posing" around one another for many a moment. The fact is. They are trying to creep one another out. The one that moves first loses. A facial tic. A loss of concentration. For he who moves first, shows where he is likely to draw his sword. Both opponents visualise the likely outcome. And respond or move before the opponent moves to their predicted target.

im that guy who draws his sword and accidentally cuts off the hand of his comrade stood next to him.

koshime:

So that when the moment comes. When the life is down to the wire. The stroke will let you live another day or die. 

Do you feel lucky punk! Do ya 

So for a OSOK painting. Imagine trying to paint with only 50 strokes.
With discipline. You can paint with the most economic of strokes and the least amount of time, than a conventional "speedpaint"

It is why, when you get the painting right the first time. The correct perspective, angle and composition, The painting will work for sure. Whereas, if the perspective is wrong. no amount of fudging, repair. colour or tricks will help to correct that deficit.

This is thus, painting of the highest calibre, if interpreted and practiced in the most sincere manner 

y'know id really like to try this - have too much one my plate right now, but will try it - and try it properly. 

I've never really used custom brushes before... do i assume having a good grasp of such things would be beneficial? also, you talk of setting your brush to pick up surrounding colours... (im kinda a selftaught photoshop user -  so am maybe missing out on some of the tricks that other people know about) how do you do that?

i will certainly aim to try this in the next few weeks - i'll post as i go.. lol, should i post per stroke? might use one of the weekly challenges as a testing ground for it.. 

btw koshime, congrats on the epic win!

Andy--Jones:

I just set myself a time anything from 30mins to an hour normally ( although I class anything up to 5 hours a speed paint for me as I am not very fast) and see what I can come up with in that time trying not plan anything before I start. The results can sometimes be very rewarding.

I do this when I am at an absolute blank too as it can help throw up some ideas subconsciously  

lol, yeah andy - thats what im normally like. id generally stuggle to get a sketch done in under an hour... but i been painting loads recently, so have found myself really speeding up. 

i love just hitting a blank page too - i cant remember the last time i really planned an image - they inevitably evolve as i work at them!