Why Slow Drawing Wins – The Hidden Power of Patience in Art

July 26, 2025

Hey there! I’m Luke Lewis, founder of Luke’s Fine Arts. I help young artists and adult artists alike to build their skills and grow their confidence—especially those who want to rush through their drawings.

If you’ve ever wondered whether slowing down could actually improve your art, you're in the right place. I know how tempting it is to want results fast—to finish your piece quickly, to see progress immediately, or to get to the fun, polished stage. But what if I told you that the real magic happens in the moments between the lines? The quiet pauses. The thoughtful decisions. The patience.

In this blog, we’ll explore how embracing the process—rather than racing to the finish line—can be the key to unlocking your artistic potential. You don’t need to be fast to be great. You just need to be present, patient, and open to growing as you go.

What You’ll Learn Today

Here’s what you’ll take away from this post:

Why slowing down helps you create smoother tone transitions and avoid common mistakes
How professional artists often spend 50, 75, even 100+ hours on a single drawing
The impact of rushing—leading to patchy shading, proportion errors, and frustration
Practical, mindset-shifting tips for drawing with patience
A drawing challenge that focuses your eye and trains your attention to detail

Let’s dive into the hidden power of patience in your art.

The Power of Patience in Drawing

Let’s pause for a moment.

Take a breath. Imagine yourself sitting at your desk, pencil in hand. There’s no deadline. No pressure. Just a quiet space, a blank page, and the opportunity to explore what you’re capable of—one careful stroke at a time.

Patience in drawing isn’t about being slow for the sake of it. It’s about allowing your eyes to really see and your hands to do the work it needs to. When you take your time, you start noticing things you might have rushed past before—the way light gently wraps around a curve, or how a shadow softens as it stretches. You begin to understand your subject, not just draw it. That level of observation only comes with time.

Rushing often leads to harsh tone transitions, jagged outlines, and a drawing that just feels… off. But when you draw with care, your hand becomes more deliberate. Your shading becomes softer and more intentional. Each area of the drawing starts to connect harmoniously with the next.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. It's about giving each moment of drawing the attention it deserves. When you take this approach, you don’t just end up with a better drawing—you end up with a deeper connection to your craft.

So give yourself permission to slow down. You’re not falling behind—you’re going deeper.

Why Professional Artists Take Their Time

Do you have to spend 50, 75, or even 100+ hours on a drawing to be great?

No, of course not.

But let’s be honest: many of the most jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring artworks do take that long. And the reason why is simple—greatness takes time. Not always, but often. Long hours don’t make an artist great, but they allow great artists to push their work further than most.

Professional artists aren’t scared of long sessions. They lean into them. They understand that each hour is an opportunity to refine, rework, and rethink their decisions. They give their drawings room to evolve—piece by piece, detail by detail.

It’s not unusual for them to spend 50, 75, or even over 100 hours on a single drawing. Why? Because their work is layered, intentional, and deeply considered. They’re not just drawing—they’re exploring. Revisiting areas. Testing ideas. Reworking tones. They welcome the discomfort that comes from sitting with a drawing for that long, because they know the results are worth it.

That’s what separates a quick sketch from a masterpiece. Not just talent—but time, focus, and a willingness to go deep.

Leonardo da Vinci is the ultimate example of this mindset. He wasn’t in a rush. He reportedly spent years refining the Mona Lisa, constantly returning to it, tweaking tiny details most people wouldn’t notice. That patience—the obsessive kind of patience—gave birth to a painting that’s captivated the world for over 500 years.

The Balance Between Quality and Speed

Let’s be real: in today’s world, we often feel pressure to produce fast.

Social media rewards quantity. Deadlines demand output. And if you’re selling your work, time is money. So where does that leave quality?

Here’s the truth: there’s a balance. And the best artists know how to find it.

Professional artists know when to slow down, when to speed up, and when to pause. They don’t treat every part of a drawing the same. They choose where to spend their time. Sometimes it’s on a subtle shift in tone. Other times it’s stepping back to get the composition just right.

They learn to manage their time, but not sacrifice their standards. They understand that the best work usually doesn’t come from a rush—it comes from rhythm. From finding a flow. From knowing when to press forward, and when to step away.

Slowing down doesn’t mean missing a deadline. It means learning how to pace yourself for your best work. And once you learn to do that, you’ll find that your art not only improves—it becomes more enjoyable. More fulfilling. Less stressful.

That’s when art starts to feel like a flow, not a chore.

Tips for Drawing with More Patience

Now that we’ve explored the why, let’s talk about the how.

Patience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a muscle you build. And like any muscle, it gets stronger with the right training.

If you’re someone who struggles with rushing, gets bored quickly, or finds it hard to sit still for more than 10 minutes at a time—you’re not alone. That was me, too. But with a few small changes, you can transform your entire drawing experience. You can turn impatience into presence, and frustration into flow.

Here are some simple strategies to help you slow down and stay focused:

Listen to music and set the mood

Try listening to calming, instrumental music while you draw. It eases stress and puts your brain in a focused, relaxed state. Music can block out distractions and help you find a steady rhythm in your mark-making.

Set a timer with purpose

Setting a timer might sound counterintuitive, but it works wonders. Try setting one for 30 or 60 minutes—not to rush, but to commit. For that window of time, you’re fully present. No scrolling. No jumping around. Just you and your drawing.

Work in small sections

Instead of tackling the entire drawing at once, break it into manageable areas. Focus on a 2 cm x 2 cm square, or one corner, and treat it like it’s the whole artwork. That level of focus trains your eye and sharpens your skills fast.

Stop and step back

Every 10–15 minutes, stop and look at your drawing from a distance. Ask yourself: how is it progressing? What do I need to tweak? Giving yourself space to reflect keeps you grounded and helps avoid rushed mistakes.

Drawing Challenge: The 2 cm x 2 cm Square

Let’s put your patience to the test.

Here’s a powerful challenge to build focus and train your eye:

Choose a small 2 cm x 2 cm square somewhere in your drawing.
Spend at least 30 minutes working only on that tiny area.
Add shading, texture, and as much depth as possible.
Notice how much detail can exist in such a small space.

This exercise isn’t just technical—it’s mental. It helps you appreciate the process, teaches you to slow down, and proves just how powerful each stroke can be when it’s done with intention.

Want to share your progress? I’d love to see it! Send your work to Lukesfinearts@gmail.com or tag me on Instagram.

Key Takeaways

Patience pays off
Taking your time results in stronger, more refined, and more satisfying artwork.

Slower = smarter
You’re not falling behind by slowing down—you’re going deeper and creating more meaningful work.

Train patience like a skill
Use timers, music, and small sections to build focus and improve over time.

Learn from the greats
The world’s best artists take their time for a reason. Their dedication is what makes their work timeless.

Thanks for reading! I hope this blog helped you reconnect with the slower side of art—the side that reminds us to be patient, present, and purposeful.

Happy drawing, and much love,
Luke Lewis
Artist & Art Teacher
Founder of Luke’s Fine Arts
www.lukesfinearts.com.au
0405 268 796
Perth, Western Australia
Instagram: @LukesFineArts

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