Category: Original Paintings

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Beastie Boys Speed Painting – Progress Video

beastie boys original painting

Summary

Beastie Boys Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels captures the raw charisma of three hip hop legends through fast brushwork and bold color.

Title: ‘Three MCs and No DJ’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

This Beastie Boys speed painting pays tribute to Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock — an explosive trio that helped define the sound and attitude of hip hop in the ’80s and ’90s. The portrait was created using a limited color palette: Magenta, Primary Yellow, Cyan, Titanium White, and Oxide Black. This deliberate constraint brought out the contrasts and textures that make the piece so punchy.

The background began with a bold magenta base, setting a vivid tone right from the start. I ditched the original reference background and focused solely on the three MCs to emphasize their presence. The outlines were drawn freehand using a multiliner, then layered with confident brushstrokes — jackets, shadows, facial highlights — all captured in quick, energetic moves to reflect the group’s own rhythm and spontaneity.

Want to see how it all came together? Watch the full progress video of this Beastie Boys portrait below. It shows the entire journey from blank canvas to finished artwork in just a few minutes:

This work is part of a larger series of hip hop portraits and pop culture speed paintings. I often experiment with minimal palettes and expressive lines to distill the essence of a subject. If you enjoyed this, check out my speed painting of The Weeknd as well.

Availability

If you’re interested in collecting this piece or exploring related work, see what’s available below:

Follow me on social media for behind-the-scenes content, upcoming releases, and more progress videos like this one. Thanks for watching!

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The Weeknd Speed Painting – Progress Video

The Weeknd painting by Bart Carels – red jacket, reflective sunglasses, and bold brushstrokes

Summary

The Weeknd Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels captures bold contrasts and soft surrealism. It’s a vivid tribute to Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd.

Title: ‘Blinded by the Lights’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

This The Weeknd speed painting was inspired by a photo that immediately stood out. The lighting, color, and mood were perfect for capturing something expressive. So, I didn’t just aim to recreate a pop star. Instead, I focused on turning a moment into motion on canvas.

I began with a vibrant Vermillion orange background. Over that, I sketched loose lines using Primary Cyan. From there, I added the darkest shapes — the hair, shirt, and sunglasses — using a custom mix of Ivory Black, Magenta, Yellow, and a bit of Cyan. As a result, the dark tones feel warmer and deeper than pure black.

Next, I layered in skin tones, letting the orange glow show through. It gave the portrait a cinematic feel. Then came the highlights, added with a blend of yellow and magenta. I wrapped up with the jacket’s shadows, some reflections on the sunglasses, and extra contrast in the background.

In total, this The Weeknd speed painting took about 90 minutes. The rough textures and visible brushwork were intentional. They reflect the surreal, emotional vibe of *Blinding Lights*, the song that sparked the piece.

This portrait is part of my broader series of music-themed pieces. If you’re into bold, expressive work, you’ll find a lot more in that collection.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this The Weeknd painting? Or maybe explore similar works? Check availability below:

To get updates on future releases, feel free to subscribe. You can also follow me on social media (see the footer) for behind-the-scenes progress shots and new drops.

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Star Wars Speed Painting – Progress Video

Padmé Amidala painting from The Phantom Menace by Bart Carels

Summary

Padmé Amidala Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels — a fast, expressive tribute to Natalie Portman’s Star Wars character in full regalia.

Title: ‘Padmé Amidala’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

Today was Star Wars Day — so, May the Fourth Be With You!

When I looked at the reference photo of Padmé Amidala, I knew I had to balance the purple, gold, and red. Yellow seemed like a safe choice. However, I wanted the gold headpiece to really stand out. That’s why I went for green instead. It plays nicely with purple and complements the subtle red makeup on Natalie Portman’s face.

Since this was a Padmé Amidala speed painting, I knew I wouldn’t have time to cover everything perfectly. That’s actually part of the fun. Letting the background show through in certain places creates texture and depth. It’s something I often do on purpose, especially when time is tight.

I usually begin with the darkest areas first, followed by the eyes. If the eyes aren’t right, the whole portrait can feel off. This one was a real challenge. Capturing her face was tricky, and I wasn’t sure I could pull off the gold textures in time. But I went for it anyway.

Once the dark parts and eyes were roughly done, I moved to the face. I blended blue (Cyan) and red (Magenta) with white and a bit of yellow for the skin. Then I added the red dots on the cheeks and a mix of red and pink for the lips.

The gold headpiece came next — mostly yellow and magenta. For deeper reds, I used more magenta. For areas with a slight green tint, I mixed in Cyan. Highlights were painted in light yellow and Titanium White. Shadows got extra depth with added Magenta, Cyan, and a hint of Ivory Black.

This piece also fits into my growing collection of movie-themed speed paintings. Alongside music portraits, I enjoy capturing iconic film characters — from science fiction legends like Padmé to other cult favorites. These quick studies are all about energy, expression, and bold choices under time pressure.

Finally, I tweaked the face. The eyes and nose gave me some trouble. One millimeter off and it changes everything. With more time, I could’ve been more precise, but for a speed painting of Padmé Amidala, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I skipped all the tiny fabric details on purpose. It saves time and, honestly, I like the unfinished look. It gives the piece character.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Padmé Amidala painting? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to get notified of new art drops. And follow me on social (links in the footer) for more behind-the-scenes and progress videos.

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Ice-T Speed Painting – Progress Video

Original acrylic painting on paper of Hustler Ice-T by Bart Carels, capturing urban energy and bold style.

Summary

Ice-T Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. A bold portrait of the iconic rapper, built with expressive brushwork and layered color.

Title: ‘H.U.S.T.L.E.R.’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

This Ice-T speed painting started with a Vermillion underpainting, similar to several of my earlier pieces. I sketched the outlines using Primary Cyan. My goal wasn’t realism — I wanted something that felt bold and unique. Color, not accuracy, was the focus.

I started with the eyes. Although we tend to think the whites of the eyes are actually white, they’re often not. In my reference photo, there was reflective blue and purple light in the eyes. To match that, I blended Cyan, Magenta, a touch of Yellow, and some White to get the right shade.

From there, I blocked in the darker elements — the cap’s shadow, moustache, beard, and shirt. I also began layering skin tones using the Vermillion background as a base. That red-orange peeking through creates warmth and depth. I added subtle blue reflections on the cheek, neck, and under the eye. The moment I placed the highlights in the eyes, the painting suddenly came to life.

After that, I focused on adding shadows, highlights, and skin color variation. For the chain, I used simple light and shadow strokes — enough to instantly suggest gold without over-detailing. Sometimes, minimalism works best.

The final touch? A mix of Cyan, Titanium White, and Primary Yellow to add cool-toned areas in the background. These contrast nicely with the warm Vermillion and balance the composition.

Like the rest of my music, rap and hip-hop pieces, this one was all about capturing attitude, not perfection. If you’re into fast, expressive portrait work, this one’s for you.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Ice-T painting or see related rap art? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to get notified about future art drops, and follow me on social (footer links) for more behind-the-scenes videos and fresh pieces.

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Ella Fitzgerald Progress Video / Speed Painting

Ella Fitzgerald painting in warm tones with jazz-inspired expression

Summary

Ella Fitzgerald Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. This bold jazz portrait celebrates the elegance and energy of the First Lady of Song.

Title: ‘Lady Ella’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

This Ella Fitzgerald speed painting was all about keeping things loose. No tight edges, no fine details — just rhythm, flow, and feeling. After all, Ella’s voice was effortless and smooth, so the painting needed to reflect that.

I started by blocking in the composition using a black marker. No details here — just making sure everything was where it needed to be. I sometimes switch it up with charcoal, pencil, or paint, but for portraits like this, I prefer a solid base layer. Faces are tricky, and a small misplacement can throw everything off.

Once the outlines were in, I jumped straight into the hair and face. I mixed Magenta and Yellow, then added a bit of Cyan and a touch of Ivory Black for the darker tones. Her dress is mostly Magenta with Cyan, plus deeper blacks and lighter whites for contrast. The glow in the reference photo pushed me to lean into the redder tones.

For the skin, I mixed Magenta and Yellow for the mid-tones. Adding Cyan and Black helped shape the shadows. For highlights, I used more Yellow and finished with Titanium White. Throughout the piece, I never used a brush smaller than size six — intentionally skipping small details for a rawer look.

This piece joins my collection of music inspired speed paintings. If you enjoy expressive portraits with a musical edge, make sure to explore the rest of the collection.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Ella Fitzgerald painting? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to get updates on future jazz portraits and other art drops. Don’t forget to follow me on social (footer links) for behind-the-scenes shots and process videos.

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Ed Sheeran Speed Painting – Contemporary Portrait by Bart Carels

Original acrylic painting on paper of Ed Sheeran by Bart Carels, capturing dynamic energy and vibrant colors.

Summary

Ed Sheeran Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. A vibrant portrait of the singer-songwriter built with bold brushwork and layered tones.

Title: ‘Ed Sheeran’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

Although I often listen to the music I grew up with, I do enjoy painting contemporary artists too. Ed Sheeran is one of those exceptions. His style and musicality stand out — which made him an ideal subject for this Ed Sheeran speed painting.

I started with a black marker to sketch the basic outlines — head, shoulders, pupils, facial shadows, and the darker parts of the hair. Then I painted the eyes, nose, and mouth. These features pop more in terms of color, so I used a mix of Magenta, Cyan, Titanium White, and a bit of Ivory Black for depth and highlights.

For the cheeks and skin tones, I blended Magenta and Yellow, adding Cyan for shadow. The rest of the face was painted from dark to light, while the shirt and neck were left simple — just blocked in with base colors for contrast.

His hair was tricky. The darkest parts almost looked black, but I mixed a deep red-orange to match his natural tone, then added layers of brighter reds and oranges. I finished by painting the background and adding highlights to the lips, eyes, and facial hair. Finally, the tape came off — always a satisfying moment.

This piece is part of my music and artist portrait series, where I capture iconic performers in fast, expressive sessions. If you’re into bold, high-energy portrait work, check out the rest of the collection.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Ed Sheeran painting? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to get notified of future portraits and follow me on social (footer links) for more behind-the-scenes work and new releases.

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Prince Speed Painting – Music-Inspired Art by Bart Carels

Original acrylic painting on paper of Prince by Bart Carels, capturing dynamic energy and iconic style.

Summary

Prince Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. This vibrant, expressive portrait honors the one and only Prince Rogers Nelson with color, attitude, and movement.

Title: ‘Little Genius’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Process

Prince. What can I say? A small man with massive talent. One of the most gifted musicians to ever exist. Naturally, he was a perfect subject for this Prince speed painting.

I started similarly to my Lauryn Hill piece — sketching his head with a thick black marker and refining the facial features with fineliner. Then I blocked in the darkest areas of the painting. For the hair, I mixed all primary colors, leaning more into red and yellow to get a warm brown, plus some Ivory Black for depth.

The jacket was a signature purple — created by combining Magenta and Cyan with a hint of Yellow. After that, I worked on the face. At one point, I thought it was going nowhere. But I kept layering skin tones and blending carefully. Slowly, it came together. Sometimes that’s how it goes — trust the process even when it’s messy.

Once the portrait was mostly complete, I moved to the background. Initially, it was blue, matching my reference. But once I reviewed the piece, it felt too flat. So I switched it up — adding Ochre tones by mixing Primary Yellow and Magenta. Suddenly, the painting came to life. The new background felt funkier and truer to Prince’s spirit.

This Prince speed painting is part of my music-inspired portrait series. If you’re into bold art, creative process videos, and iconic figures from music history, you’ll enjoy the rest of the collection too.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Prince painting? Check availability below:

Like what you see? Subscribe for updates on future art drops, or follow me on social media (links in the footer) for progress videos and new portraits.

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Lauryn Hill Speed Painting – Portrait Art by Bart Carels

Original hand-painted painting of Lauryn Hill by Bart Carels, capturing the soulful energy of hip-hop.

Process

Today I painted Ms. Lauryn Hill — in my opinion, one of the most incredible singer-songwriters and rappers around. Her voice has such a unique sound, so I knew this would be a fun one. For this Lauryn Hill speed painting, I kept the brushwork loose and focused on capturing expression over perfection.

To start, I used a black marker for the outlines, just like in my earlier J. Cole piece. However, I switched to a fineliner for finer features like the eyes and eyebrows to give them a bit more definition. Her head wrap featured beautiful turquoise tones, while the skin had warm, orangey-brown shades. That’s why I chose a Vermillion background — it brought out the contrast nicely.

Next, I blocked in the denim jacket with loose strokes, intentionally keeping it rough. Meanwhile, I added subtle blues as highlights to the cheek and jawline, which gave the face some depth. Rather than replicating the head wrap’s pattern, I simply suggested the shapes to keep things fluid and intuitive.

After that, I moved on to the background. I layered a few shades of blue with hints of orange to balance the palette. As a final step, I added details across the face and fabric, blending where needed but keeping that painterly texture. That’s about it — fast, expressive, and full of color.

This Lauryn Hill speed painting is part of my music-inspired portrait series. If you’re into quick, bold studies of iconic musicians, there’s more where this came from.

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J Cole Speed Painting – Rap Portrait by Bart Carels

J Cole painting by Bart Carels – expressive hip-hop portrait in cool tones

Summary

J Cole Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. This energetic portrait captures the thoughtful presence and style of one of rap’s most consistent voices.

Title: ‘J. Cole’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Description

This j cole speed painting was created quickly but intentionally — loose lines, strong color contrasts, and expressive layering. It’s part of my series on iconic music figures.

Process

To begin, I outlined the composition using a big black marker — quick strokes to set the structure. Then I jumped straight into the facial hair and blocked in the base skin tones. For the hair, I mixed Magenta with a touch of Cyan and Yellow, darkened with Ivory Black to create richness.

When painting the face, I used a mix of all three primary colors. For the darker tones, I added more Cyan, which gave the piece cooler shadows. After that, I filled the background with a custom teal by mixing Primary Cyan and Primary Yellow. It echoed some of the blue-green tones in the reference, which I emphasized in the cheek and jawline to tie everything together.

Once the foundation was done, I added small highlights and details, but intentionally left some of the marker lines visible. They help maintain a raw, spontaneous vibe. And of course, one of my favorite parts — peeling off the masking tape. That clean white border always makes the whole piece feel finished.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (black marker & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Interested in owning this J Cole painting? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to stay updated on future portraits. And don’t forget to follow me on social (links in the footer) for more speed painting videos and behind-the-scenes content.

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Johnny Cash Speed Painting – Portrait Art by Bart Carels

Johnny Cash painting – portrait of the Man in Black

Summary

Johnny Cash Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. A vibrant tribute to one of country music’s most iconic voices.

Title: ‘Man in Black’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020

Description

I grew up hearing a lot of country music thanks to my parents. While my tastes are pretty broad these days, I still enjoy the old classics — and Johnny Cash has always stood out. Naturally, I wanted to create a piece that captured his presence.

Process

To kick things off, I sketched a quick line drawing using black ink. Then I moved to the background. Instead of matching the reference exactly, I made it more vibrant. I blended Primary Magenta and Yellow, then added some Cyan and Ivory Black for the deeper tones. The result is a background that pops just enough to frame the subject without overpowering him.

Next came the face and hair. I always build up the darker values first, then layer in the mid-tones. For those, I used a mix of Magenta and Yellow with a bit of Cyan. The deeper shadows got more Magenta and Cyan, while the highlights were built up using Titanium White.

That’s it for this johnny cash speed painting. It was a quick, expressive piece with just enough structure to feel finished — especially once the masking tape comes off and that clean border appears.

This piece is part of my music portrait series, which includes other legendary figures in hip hop, pop, and soul. If you like this kind of expressive painting style, there’s more to explore.

Painting Specs

  • One-of-a-kind artwork
  • Medium: Mixed Media on Paper (ink & acrylic paint)
  • Size: 24x32cm / 9×12 inches
  • Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White

Availability

Want to own this Johnny Cash painting? Check availability below:

Subscribe below to get notified about new releases, and follow me on social (links in the footer) for more process videos and portraits like this one.