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
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