Candy Still Life

Artist Statement

This artwork is an observational drawing of some M & Ms scattered on the table. I made this work by first sketching it out with a pencil, then watercoloring the package. Next, I used colored pencils to shade the candy pieces and also parts of the package. While most of the students in my class were laying their candies out in a seemingly random way, I chose to put mine in a pattern to make the piece more visually appealing. I put the candies in an alternating pattern of colored dots.

I uses symmetry, value, and shape. The symmetry is in the pattern of the candies which draw the eye across the page. I used the value in the intensity of the colors and in the shading, giving depth to the candies and the package. Shape comes in the forms of the items portrayed. I placed the package going beyond the boundaries of the paper to bring the viewer into the artwork.

The work evolved because I originally didn't have the candies in a pattern but then I changed that and really liked the new composition. Also, the colors got more intense as I added the colored pencil details.

In this work I learned how to use shading and color to create a more photorealistic piece. I like how the plain background draws the viewer's attention to the candy. I relate to this piece because the scattered leftover Halloween candies make me think of fall and the ending of the year and all the candy that gets eaten by all the kids at that time of year. Plus, I really like candy. This project could be stronger if I were to spend more time and do the shading more realistically.