Behind the Painting – Key Essentials
Key Essentials Speed Painting by contemporary artist Bart Carels. A quick, sunlit still life featuring sunglasses, a car key, and a keychain — painted in one sitting with leftover paint, limited time, and no pressure to overthink it. It’s a slice of everyday life, captured in bold colors and loose strokes.
Title: ‘Key Essentials’
Artist: Bart Carels
Year: 2020
A Quick Still Life Born from Leftover Paint
This painting came together on a day where I didn’t have much time — but I did have some slightly dried-out paint on my palette that I didn’t want to waste. So I grabbed a small canvas, looked around for something simple to paint, and started working fast. That’s how this key essentials speed painting began.
It was sunny, which made me think of the typical things you carry when heading out: a pair of sunglasses, your car keys, and that keychain you’ve had for years but never replaced. These objects became the subject — familiar, functional, and quietly personal.
I started with a Vermillion background, added outlines and shadow shapes with Primary Cyan, and quickly filled in the rest. Because the paint was already starting to dry, I leaned into the rough texture and let the brushstrokes show. I wasn’t aiming for precision — just vibe.
The next day, I gave the background a refresh to create more contrast and help the items pop. I didn’t touch the objects themselves. Sometimes that unfinished energy is what keeps the piece interesting.
This one reminds me how often small, unplanned pieces turn out to be the most fun. No pressure. Just paint.
Painting Specs
- One-of-a-kind artwork
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Size: 24×18 cm / 9×7 inches
- Color Palette: Cyan | Magenta | Yellow | Black | White
Availability
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