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From Dawn to Dusk: Unveiling Pablo Picasso’s Creative Routine

Dissecting Pablo Picasso's daily schedule

Pablo Picasso was known for his extraordinary productivity and unconventional schedule.

While there isn't a detailed hour-by-hour breakdown of his typical day, from various accounts, it's possible to glean a general picture of how Picasso structured his time:

Key Takeaways: 

  • Embracing a Flexible Routine

  • Dedicated Work Sessions

  1. Late Mornings: Picasso was known for starting his day late, often waking up around 11 am or noon.

  2. Work Sessions: After waking up, he'd begin his work in his studio, sometimes working through the afternoon and into the evening. Picasso was known for his immense dedication and could work for an extended period when inspiration struck.

  3. Late Lunch: He often had a late lunch, sometimes as late as 3 pm, which was typically a social event with friends, fellow artists, or intellectuals.

  4. Afternoon/Evening Work: Post lunch, Picasso would often return to his studio for another work session which could last well into the night.

  5. Late Dinners: Dinners were usually late, often starting around 9 or 10 pm, and like lunch, were social occasions. They might go on until the wee hours, with discussions, debates, and camaraderie.

  6. Night Owl: A lot of creatives tend to be night owl’s and Picasso is no exception. Picasso was known to often be working through the night into the early hours of the morning if he was deeply involved in a piece. His studios were places of intense work and creativity, where he could lose himself for hours on end.

  7. Occasional Social Engagements: While Picasso had a reputation of being reclusive at times, particularly when deeply involved in a project, he also enjoyed the company of a close circle of friends and had periods where social engagements and outings were part of his routine.

This quote sums up his approach to his work and his schedule, where he dedicated a significant amount of time in his studio, allowing the creative process to unfold naturally.

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

Pablo Picasso

In summary, his work routine was more sporadic and depended greatly on his creative flow.