How Long Does a Custom Oil Painting Take? What You Need to Know Before Commissioning a Painting for the Holidays
- Katie Peña
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 6
If you’re considering commissioning a custom oil painting—especially as a unique holiday gift—now is the time to start the conversation.
As an oil painter trained in the techniques of the Renaissance masters, I use traditional, time-intensive methods to ensure each piece is crafted with care and built to last. But that also means your one-of-a-kind artwork won’t be ready overnight.
Let’s break down exactly how long it takes to create a custom oil painting—and why reaching out early is key.
🎬 From Hollywood to the Studio: Why Timing Matters
Here’s a fun fact from my former life as a Hollywood crew member: all those heartwarming holiday commercials and TV episodes you see in December? They’re actually filmed six months ahead of time.
Why?
Because it takes time to polish and perfect something special. That gives production teams the time required to film, review and edit footage, distribute, and market it.
It’s not all that different for custom fine art commissions. If you’re hoping to surprise someone with a custom oil painting for Christmas or the holiday season, it’s best to reach out at least 6 months in advance. Oil painting is a process that takes both skill and time.
🎨 Why Oil Paintings Take Time: The Renaissance Method
Unlike acrylics or watercolors, oil paint doesn’t dry quickly—and that’s part of its magic. I use a classical method of applying thin glaze layers, which allows for lifelike depth, softness, and shadow, just like Leonardo da Vinci did.
Oil paint is unique from other paints in that it’s made up of pigment particles bound together with actual oil (if you've ever discovered leaking olive oil in your pantry you know that oil stays tacky for months!)—so the drying, or “curing,” process is measured in weeks or months, not hours or days.
Once I finish your painting, I’ll need to allow 6–8 weeks of curing time before I can apply a final protective varnish. Rushing this step could compromise the longevity and appearance of your painting—so patience really is part of the process.
Just to illustrate: I finished a painting on April 15, and even as of April 30, the edges are still wet. My studio is full of drying racks to help manage multiple artworks at different curing stages. (Pro tip: this is also why I wear a sock on my arm—my elbow has a habit of brushing into wet paint!)
🗓️ Your Place in the Commission Queue
The second reason to plan early? My commission schedule fills up quickly.
I get a lot of requests for custom oil paintings, and am continuously adding new client projects to my schedule. As of today, I'm currently booked with client projects through July 2025. I prioritize my Custom Commission Queue based on deposit date and signed contract, so the sooner you reach out, the sooner we can reserve your spot.
Let’s say you reach out and secure your place on May 1st—your painting would be ready just in time for the 2025 holidays. Waiting too much longer might push your project into the following year.
⏳ Timeline at a Glance: How Long Does It Really Take?
Step | Timeframe |
Waitlist/Queue | A few weeks to 3 months |
Painting & Curing | 2–4 months |
Final Varnish + Shipping | 1–2 weeks |
Total Timeline | 3–6+ months |
Yes, I do offer rush options when possible—extending studio hours and working weekends—but oil paint has its own schedule, and no amount of rushing can make it cure faster without affecting quality.
💌 Ready to Commission Your Custom Painting?
Whether you're thinking of gifting a custom portrait, pet painting, wedding gift, or heirloom artwork, I’m here to bring your vision to life. Reach out today to get on the calendar for holiday 2025 commissions. The earlier we connect, the more time I can dedicate to making something meaningful for you and your loved ones.
Interested in working with Katie?
Katie Peña is a professional fine artist specializing in custom oil paintings. With exceptional training and over 20 years of experience, she creates heirloom-quality commissioned artwork for clients nationwide. To learn more about commissioning a custom painting, feel free to contact her at katie@katiepena.com.
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