The time it takes to create
"Inspired by the Returning Astronaut" is a digital animated artwork depicting a serene marine landscape with wind turbines. The turquoise palette evokes calm and vastness, while the turbines symbolize renewable energy and a futuristic touch.( Photo: Benoît Theunissen)
The other day, a colleague asked me a deceptively simple question: "How long does it take you to create a piece of art?" It's a tough one to answer. When you think about it, a piece of art is the culmination of an artist's years of work, inspiration, and life experiences. Each piece is more than just the sum of these elements because the artist is always evolving, like a snowball that grows over time.
An artist shapes their identity through encounters, detours, and even off-the-beaten-path experiences. Creating a piece of art is about telling a story that is always changing. Each piece is a snapshot of the artist's evolution at a specific moment, documenting their journey and influences.
Take photography, for example. Photographers usually don't like to show their photos immediately after taking them. In the days of film, there wasn't the same pressure that digital photographers face today. A raw photo is just that—a raw material that needs editing and post-production. Some might think that taking a photo is the end of the process, but it's really just the beginning.
Digital art: Another perspective
This question also applies to digital art. Recently, a colleague mentioned that he could have created a magazine cover using his iPad. Technically, he’s right. But how many hours, meetings, and email exchanges were needed to finalize that cover? The art director may come up with the concept, but the final decision involves the editor-in-chief, the editorial team, the photography director, and many others.
Reflecting on my colleague’s question, I realize that the time needed to create a piece of art is relative. It can range from half an hour to two months. This range illustrates that there's no straightforward answer. Artistic creation is about much more than just the technical aspects; the creative process itself is crucial.
Take my piece “Inspired by the Returning Astronaut.” Technically, I could have completed it in an hour, but it actually took me three weeks. Why? Because inspiration doesn’t always strike immediately.
"Inspired by the Returning Astronaut" is a serene and dreamlike digital artwork that captures the tranquil expanse of a marine landscape dotted with wind turbines. The artwork’s turquoise blue palette evokes a sense of calm and vastness, with the wind turbines standing as guardians of the environment, symbolizing renewable energy and adding an ecological, futuristic touch. (Video: Benoît Theunissen)
Explore the serene beauty of "Inspired by the Returning Astronaut" and own a piece of tranquil digital art in the form of an NFT.
The creation process
Two months ago, on a flight to London, the clear view from my window inspired me to take some photos with my iPhone. Later, I experimented with glitch effects and collages but wasn’t satisfied. I archived my tests, waiting for inspiration to return. A month later, I revisited those tests, worked on the composition, added more collages and animations, but something was still missing.
Sometimes, it’s beneficial to let a piece rest. The final touch needs to come naturally. The next morning, looking at the unfinished piece, inspiration struck. The oceanic blues, moving clouds, electric water reflections, and wind turbines inspired a connection to Earth, like a rediscovery after a long absence. That’s why I named it “Inspired by the Returning Astronaut.” I added fluttering butterflies to symbolize lightness and transformation.
Technique and inspiration
Reworking the piece to fine-tune the technique only took two hours. This shows that finding inspiration often takes much longer and is more critical. A technically perfect piece without intention is lifeless. Inspiration breathes life and depth into art.
Technical elements should serve the ideas. Without inspiration, a piece is bland. Documenting my creative process helps me recognize each step and reinforces the authenticity of my work. It’s a journey of listening to my intuition and emotions.