Tag: pop

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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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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.