Written by For our prompt of “Jelly Beans” today, I made a sketch of some in a glass jar. I’ve seen contests before where they ask you to guess how many jelly beans are in a jar in order to win a prize. Apparently, there’s a scientific way to count them, but it involves math, so I quickly lost interest upon attempting to figure it out. And, since these are imaginary jelly beans, it’s a rather moot exercise in this instance. That said, I could ask you to guess how many colors I used to make this particular illustration. The answer? Just three! My new Charlie O’Blue color along with Pink, and Yellow from my Sketching Stuff Coloring Set were all I needed to make a full rainbow of hues. I haven’t eaten jelly beans in quite some time, but they are really fun to draw and paint. Best of all, I didn’t consume any calories while creating this sketch and probably burned a few instead. I’m not sure how many calories are burned while painting, but I know it’s more than zero, so that works for me!
I almost bought a bag of jelly beans for Easter, but Philippe made a face that told me I should probably avoid the extra sugar. I was pleased that someone was looking after me, but as we were checking out I noticed two chocolate bars had magically appeared. I didn’t say anything, but just paused as I was scanning them and glanced at Philippe. He shrugged as if to say that while jelly beans are perfectly unnecessary, chocolate was still on the list of required essentials. Philippe got some chocolate eggs a couple weeks ago and shared one with me. It was delicious, but the remaining eggs were gone the next day so I didn’t get to have any more. In truth, if there was a sweet I would have trouble turning down it would have to be cake over candy. Or, really any dessert that pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
After Philippe made me a gooseberry cobbler for my birthday, we were able to enjoy it for a few days. When it was finally gone, I truly felt the loss and it was all I could do to hold back my tears. Yet, that’s the beauty of those treats that only appear on special occasions. They taste better simply because of their rarity. It was the same when I was a kid, and I could only get a certain type of treat when the ice cream man returned each summer. As an adult, I no longer devour treats and snacks like I used to, and instead, just sample the heck out of anything I can! I figure that getting just a taste of something sweet is better than nothing at all. Yet, the real treat comes at the end of each day when I get to spend time at home with my husband and my pup Elliott. I’m always reminded that the list of things that truly make me happy is incredibly short. And, it’s not really things at all. It’s all of the people in my life who make me smile. My friends and family are like a beautiful collection of bright and colorful jelly beans, each with a special place in my heart, so I never have to guess how many.
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, and Opus (Vivid Pink). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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I’m like you with Math…i like that you told us about your colours…i found it creative …..cool
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah… I’ll take playing with color over math any day!
Math is not allowed in my studio. The only way I can do that four letter word is in my head and it works beautifully. I even got the same answer as the cash register one time, only six items including decimals in the figures. I do not know how I did it.
Tell the dear man that you are having both chocky bars since he scarfed all the chocky eggs!
I am working on the third box of Pot of Gold I got for Christmas. Ahhhh yes. The Easter bunny is gone, sniff.
Linda
Hehe! Yeah, math has never been my favorite thing. I should get more of that chocolate after he devoured all the eggs… hmm… I’ll have to tell Philippe that! 😉💕
I used to absolutely love jelly beans, but I don’t need all that sugar – lol. As loved as it is 😉 I can’t believe you got all of those lucious colours out of three colours with your set!!
oooooo Gooseberry Cobbler oh my gosh – I love Gooseberry anything. mmmmmm I planted a Gooseberry bush a couple of years ago and everyone told me it wouldn’t grow. But, grows like a weed and I love my little plant. From the very start, with only one branch she gave me Gooseberries. Last year there was enough to have a couple of bowls, or make some muffins … but the birds loved them too lolol!!! So much for Gooseberries 😉
I agree Charlie when I think of what gives me joy its not “things” (not that they don’t give me joy too), but its nature, animals, my pets, my family and my friends that make my heart sing and, guess what, you and your husband and Elliott are at the top of that list. I know I don’t know Elliott at all but hey – he’s with you – he has to be great 😉
Thanks for the beautiful jar and post of goodness 🙂
Thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 Yeah, those 3 colors can make a ton of colors, including red! Oh no! Sorry the birds got your gooseberries. I’m not sure I’ve had them in a muffin… must try that soon!! Yum!
Yay to the people and animals that make our lives worth living! I really need to write more about Elliott… he’s awesome and such a different personality than Phineas. Much love to you!
I love jellybeans and Easter is the only time I allow myself to have any, so I do indulge. I used your Sketching Stuff palette for my jellybeans as well, though I did use more than three colors. They’re all so fantastic, and they do mix so beautifully to create even more beautiful colors.
Yeah, I meant to use more colors, but after I started mixing I was like… that works! hehe I didn’t get any jelly beans this easter, so it looks like another year to wait! hehe 😃💕
Are we your jelly beans, too? I couldn’t find the emoji with a quivering bottom lip. 😂😂😂 Oh, Charlie, we love you. I know what you mean about special desserts. I feel the same way about my chocolate birthday cake every year. I’m excited to see it and have the first slice, but so sad when it’s gone.
There’s an episode of “King of Queens,” where Leah Remini’s husband is excitedly eating a pudding cup and suddenly he looks like he’s going to cry. She asks him what’s wrong and he says that he’s sad because he just saw the bottom of the pudding cup. Exactly! 😂😂😂
Have a wonderful week, my sweet friend. Big hugs and love coming your way. 💜💜💜
Hehe! I love that! 😃💕I too get sad when I’m at the bottom of a pudding cup! lol And yes, you’re my jelly bean, mi amiga! Big hugs and much love to you! ❤️
Hello hello Charlie,
I’m glad there were no prizes for guessing the number of colors correctly coz I would have lost miserably. I have to admit, I have never had much of a sweet tooth and so never enjoyed sampling jelly beans – though I absolutely love PB&J (but that’s a different jelly). But yes, anything with rich dark chocolate is great! And like you, I too had to wait for a special occasion to get ice cream – either a birthday, wedding or the day I solved all math problems correctly. The thrid kind of day came along just once, that too when the ice cream shop was closed, so I got a box of colored pencils instead. Thankfully, growing up has given me more control over the ice cream situation. 😉 Till I get a gooseberry cobbler, I’ll make do with a chocolate ice-cream with ripe fresh mango chunks. I’ll have an extra scoop for you too🥰
Love,
Mugdha
Yeah, I have to say that dark chocolate wins out over most things! It’s sooo good! 😃💕 Thanks for the extra scoop of ice cream! I’m now trying to figure out how to convince Philippe we need another gooseberry cobbler. lol Love and hugs! ❤️
While I could pass on jelly beans, I do agree that chocolate is a necessity! 🤗
Hehe! So true… chocolate is never optional! 😃💕