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>>10971784
In general, the more you work with it, the better you'll get at carving it.It also helps to mock things up and practice with small portions before you execute a full piece. Also, tracing a pattern onto a sheet before you cut generally leads to better results than trying to freehand something.
I don't know how many how-to videos you watched before you started, but there are a variety of techniques for cutting and carving foam, and you might find some easier than others. There's also foam clay, which can be sculpted into shapes that are harder to carve.
Keep at it, practice (particularly weathering / finishing, that's extra hard). Good luck on your next piece!
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>>10971784
So by your maths 10ish hours? I'd say that's pretty normal for a piece with details like that if you're a newbie and yes, it will get easier and faster.
Great work!
>>10971837
3D printing can be an option but comes with it's own issues - sizing, modelling, actual print quality and you still had to sand/prime/paint etc. so IMO it comes down to which work you'd prefer to do.