Indonesian Spices Speedpainting – The Making of a Still Life
Summary
This Indonesian spices speedpainting by Bart Carels captures the process behind one of his most culturally rooted still lifes. Created in a single session using acrylics and a warm underlayer, it celebrates Indo cooking traditions through expressive, intuitive brushwork.
Title: ‘Herbs and Spices’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020
How This Indonesian Spices Speedpainting Was Made
The process starts with a canvas prepped using gesso and Vermillion — a base layer I like for the warmth it adds. From there, I loosely sketched the subject using Primary Cyan to check the layout and proportions. I then worked from the background in, layering colors, adjusting light, and building in just enough shape and shadow to keep it recognizable but still raw.
A Personal Story Told Through Spices
What makes this Indonesian spices speedpainting special is the connection to my roots. My dad was born in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and when he moved to the Netherlands in the 1950s, he brought those cultural elements with him. As a result, I grew up with sambal, bumbu, and stories of another home — and that influence now seeps into my work.
This painting features staples like Coriander (Ketumbar), Candle Nuts (Kemiri), Cumin (Jinten), and Turmeric (Kunyit). Not styled on fancy platters, but in the plastic tubs we actually use — just like the ones you’d find in any Indo family kitchen.
Want to See the Final Painting?
This process piece led to a refined still life: Indonesian Herbs & Spices – Original Painting. If you like more polished results, give that one a look.
Painting Specifications
- One-of-a-kind work (speed painted live)
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Size: 24×30 cm / 9×11 inches
- Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White
Availability
Want more like this? Explore the full food & drink painting collection, or follow me on Instagram (footer links) for new work and behind-the-scenes updates.