Halloween Painting Mood

I've really been in a "yeah, I love Halloween" mood this year. Not sure why, but I updated my Facebook page with a photo of two carved pumpkins that I've had since 2010. Next,  changed my profile photo to an old black and white of Vincent Price with a bat shape behind him.

My Halloween spirit continued this morning when I went into Kroger to pick some stuff for a simple still life for my beginning oil painting students. I wanted to get a cupcake two weeks ago, you know, just to have some fun. But, I figured they'd learn more from two pears.

Today, however, I found a carrot cake cupcake, and I wanted to contrast it with multiples of something smaller in size. My mind was racing. I didn't have a lot of time. I walked in the direction of the registers and BAM! YES! Candy corn display. Great little shapes. Everything would be on a rather simple value of a black cloth. I loved the repetition of the cake and icing layers that was restated in the color bands on the candy corn. Magic! Who in their right mind would paint tomatoes after this? Well, all of us right? But on this day, there was no contest. I was excited to demo the four panel value to color exercise, and it's good to be excited by what you are about to paint.

The students only completed the top left square. I always think they will be faster, but I'm sure their minds are racing inside their brains, after all, they are learning a new language.

I painted the two black and white panels in class, and just completed the transitions into color here in my kitchen. (Sorry for the glare on the panel.)

Now, I'm tired, but I'm not gonna waste this cupcake. I'M GONNA PAINT IT ONE MORE TIME AS 'MY' PAINTING! Better put on Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor for extra inspiration. Click on that link and suffer through the commercial in the beginning and then enjoy! Maybe paint some candy corn yourself!