How it only takes 20 hours to get good at painting. - Nature Studio (2024)

Have you ever heardthat it takes 10,000 hours of practice to get good at something?

Did that leave you feeling like you didn’t have the time to get good at anything?

I’d love to share a brilliant TED talk by author Josh Kaufman.

In it he explains that the ’10,000 hours’ thing, which came from research done by Anders Ericsson was actually the amount of time it seemed to take to get to the absolute top of an ultra competitive field.

It’s since been widely publicised mainly by Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Outliers’, but also used right out of context so that it’s often now used to describe how long it takes to learn something.

But this is plain wrong.

10,000 hours is the equivalent of working a full time job for 5 years at something.

But you’ll know this from your own experience that you’ve learned things in far less time.

And Kaufman works out that in just 20 hours of practice, you can become GOOD at a new skill.

There are a couple ofcaveats.

You need to be able to deconstruct the skill, so you can practice the most important parts of the skill first.

You need the right tools.

You need to be in a position to self-correct as you practice, which usually comes from some kind of instruction, at least initially.

So the practice has to be structured so you don’t keep repeating the same mistakes.

But if you do those hours, you will get through that super frustrating stage where you feel uncomfortable and, as Kaufman puts it, ‘stupid’, and start to get good!

It’s hugely inspiring because scheduling in 20 hours of structured practice time is something totally achievable, taking at worst only a few months if the practice is regular.

And there’s also a really fun bit at the end so stick with it!

How it only takes 20 hours to get good at painting. - Nature Studio (2024)

FAQs

How many hours does it take to be good at painting? ›

And Kaufman works out that in just 20 hours of practice, you can become GOOD at a new skill. There are a couple of caveats. You need to be able to deconstruct the skill, so you can practice the most important parts of the skill first. You need the right tools.

How long does it take to become a good painter? ›

Students who major in fine arts and focus on acrylic painting may study anywhere from two to six years. Most professional artists claim to not have become fully satisfied with their painting until they've had upwards of ten years of experience.

How long does it take to learn to paint realistically? ›

Many people begin attending art school with unrealistic expectations. The common misunderstanding is that after a couple of classes you will become a good artist. The reality is that it takes much longer than that. Commonly between 5 to 10 years of proper training to reach a level of proficiency.

How many hours do you work as a painter? ›

Usually work 40 hours a week. Travel from job site to job site.

How many hours should it take to paint a room? ›

It depends on the room - whether you're painting a bedroom or a bathroom it doesn't have to take all day. Set aside 3-4 hours for actual prep and paint application and then rooms will dry at a different rate depending on the environment, temperature, and where you live.

What age do painters peak? ›

Human creativity: Writers, artists and composers tend to peak in their late 30s and early 40s.

How do people get good at painting? ›

Practice makes perfect better, and it is through repetitively creating artwork that you will be able to develop your own style and improve your technique. You can start by creating sketches, working on still lifes, and experimenting with different types of paint, brushes, and surfaces.

How do I know if my painter did a good job? ›

How to Spot a Great Interior Paint Job
  • Joints and Edges. One of the quickest ways to tell a quality paint job from a budget job is the straightness of the lines at joints and edges. ...
  • Knobs, Fixtures and Faceplates. ...
  • Smooth, Consistent Walls. ...
  • Even Color Coverage.

How long do professional painters take? ›

Generally, a professional painting crew can paint an average-sized room (12 feet x 12 feet) in about five or six hours. On a bigger scale, it's possible to paint the interior of a 12,000-square-foot home in less than a week.

Can you learn to paint really well? ›

The main thing to grasp is that painting is a teachable skill anyone can develop, regardless of innate talent. Some people prefer to take classes with a live instructor, while others prefer to learn independently. There is a place in the art world for every single artist, and it's never too late to begin painting.

Is realistic painting hard? ›

Realism is one of the most impressive forms of art, which is why plenty of artists take up the style. It's particularly hard to perfect and takes a significant amount of practice, but here's beginners can start learning how to draw realistic art straight away.

Do painters make a good living? ›

Painters made a median salary of $46,090 in 2022. The best-paid 25% made $57,300 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $37,620.

What does a painter do everyday? ›

Painters typically do the following: Protect floors, furniture, and trim by covering surfaces with drop cloths and tarps and securing with tape. Install scaffolding and raise ladders. Fill holes and cracks with putty or plaster.

How many hours do successful artists work? ›

Many Artists work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, depending on creative flow, project deadlines, or exhibition preparations. It's not uncommon for Artists to work 20 to 60 hours per week, balancing studio time with administrative tasks, marketing, and networking efforts.

How hard is it to learn to paint? ›

Becoming a proficient painter is a relatively quick process. With focus and practice, you'll be making paintings in a very short time. Becoming an excellent painter can take a lifetime, but you'll find that the learning process is engrossing and worthwhile.

How long should a paint job take? ›

In general, you can expect a body shop to spend between 40 and 80 hours to complete a full paint job for your vehicle. Of course, this isn't the case for all cars.

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