Perhaps I was a bit overly ambitious tackling this painting in one day, but I think it paid off. After all, it’s only 1:30am and I can always sleep next week after the Challenge is over…
While I have painted candy before, this is the first piece I have done with a wrapper. I was afraid I wouldn’t get it right. Today I didn’t let that fear stop me from trying something new. I figured I didn’t have much to lose since it’s only an investment of one day, and a lot to gain. Wrappers and packaging could open up a whole different direction for my food paintings. Besides, think of all that other leftover Halloween candy that I could have put to good use!
Day 26. “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup” by Beverly Shipko, Oil on cradled panel, 5 x 7 inches.
This particular brand evokes a lot of memories for me, only they are not particularly fond ones (definitely not from childhood). I used to think of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as the enemy when I was the assistant account executive on the M&M Mars account at DMB&B Advertising Agency. At the time, my brand assignment was Twix Cookie Bars, a direct competitor to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and every month Reese’s beat us in the Nielsen market share report.
If you’re wondering why I didn’t paint Twix instead, know that I tried to set up a still life, but the long bar shape just wasn’t as interesting as the circle. Of course, I will eventually paint Twix because of my sentimental attachment, just not today. I liked the way the Reese’s wrapper opened on the first try, and how the cup was emerging – almost like an action shot. This is a candy that is about to be eaten.
Things went pretty smoothly considering this was new to me. I used a photo for the composition, and actual candy to match the color. Next time I will approach the logo and wrapper slightly differently. I started painting the outline of the Reese’s logo, for some reason, when I should have started with the yellow, then the outline. As a result, I lost a lot of time repainting the logo, which then got too wet to fix completely.
I am happy with the painting, so much so that I am considering another wrapper painting. I am hesitating because the one I am thinking of has multiple logos on it and is transparent. I am certainly a glutton for punishment!
Hope you’re safe and warm wherever you are, and unscathed by this blizzard. Tomorrow should be a great day to stay indoors and paint, especially if we get the 12 inches that is being predicted. Thanks for stopping by.
