I’m often asked ‘how long it takes to paint a picture of Eric?’ … and there is no easy answer to that. It is hugely dependent upon the canvas size and level of detail … and then do you mean how long ‘actually painting’, or the entire process? You see there is necessary ‘wait’ time in the process. For example, when I’ve laid down a background for Eric I have to let that dry before I can start painting the character … otherwise there is a potential for a muddy coloured mess!
I’m also asked ‘how do you even start? Do you sketch in pencil first?’. That one’s much easier … I did sketch the shape for the very first Eric but since then, I just start painting an outline freehand with the brush.
I’ve just done a version of Eric for a UK customer (this one is off to keep Dame Edna Emu company in Surrey) which was A4 size on acrylic paper. Physical painting time of this one was a little over 5 hours … but you can view the process of how I build up the picture in a mere 56 seconds.
Eric the Emu …. in 56 seconds