Making Treats and Beasts - A Few Problems

In past entries in this blog I've mentioned that there were a few problems making this book. The one that people ask me first and foremost every time I tell them about the concept for this book is "how did you mange with the letter X". I won't lie, for the animal in this case I had to do some research. This was probably the only animal in the book that I can't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it exists. The candy however was actually fairly easy, in fact that reason I felt comfortable using candy in this book was because I knew I had a candy for the letter x.

The next problem came about when I started thinking about making this project into a book, or selling it in any way. I realized that I couldn't use brand names for candy without either paying out companies or risking breaking some kind of copyright. Once I started working on these drawings I started to have to update a few pieces in order to make sure the beast was enjoying a generic treat. I actually enjoyed this challenge. I did use some research material for finding generic candies, but thankfully it was almost entirely my own website candycritic.org. I also decided that it would be okay to use the names of candies from outside North America.

I would be lying if I told you that turning these drawings into a book was not filled with some other frustrations. I had to double check spelling and grammar at least a dozen times. I also had to figure out how to format my drawings to they could be printed into a book. I've worked on books and comic books in the past, but frankly someone else almost always did the pre-press work for me. I learned a lot and it actually left me confident enough that I made a second book quickly after (the complete Snack Facts).

I hope you enjoyed my tales of putting together Treats and Beasts. As always, if you want to pick up your own copy, check it out right now on Amazon.

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Making Treats and Beasts - The Inks Turn Into A Book

As I mentioned before, I really had no direct plan to turn this collection of drawings into a book. In fact I wasn't even sure that I would finish all of the drawings. I figured I might loose interest at some point and just move onto something else. The thing is, I didn't. I really wanted to try and finish each and every drawing in the collection, and near the last few drawings I realized that I think it would make a really fun collection, maybe in a book format.

After deciding this, my next phase was to figure out how the book should look. I decided that I would use a few electronic fonts, however I wanted the letter that was showcased to be my own design. Since I had designed the animals and snacks using a rough circle template, I figured the letters should also fit into this template. I found lots of reference online and starting sketching out some font ideas. Eventually I had each letter drawn and inked.

The other choice I made once I decided to make a book was that I wanted the illustrations to be in colour. I don't own a scanner and I didn't want to buy one for this project. I still wasn't convinced it would actually pan out. Since I am a photographer, I decided that I would photograph each drawing. This turned out to be fairly challenging, particularly getting the light just right. I built a setup and had to shoot each and every drawing on the same day. I wanted to make sure they all matched perfectly.

After that I brough everything into various Adobe editing tools and after a few drawings were done I had a system that worked fairly well. The good thing about taking the photos of the art was the fact that many of the sketchy lines and even the texture of the paper came through just a little bit. I feel it gave the art a really nice natural feeling.

The colouring was probably the hardest part of the process for me. I'm not a great expert on colours, and I found parts of this process to be very hard on the eyes. I do however feel that it worked out fairly well and I'm glad I went beyond black and white.

Next the cover idea.

Make sure to get your very own copy of Treats and Beast right now on Amazon.

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Making Treats and Beasts - Rough, Design and Finished Inks

After finally coming up with a concept for an alphabet book, treats and beasts, I had to draw each and every creature and snack. I started each drawing with a very rough pencil sketch. I referenced the animals a great deal from photos online. I never traced anything, but I would have pages on a Google search open throughout most of the sketching process. I would fixate on a few particular images, but I tried to take bits and pieces from each.

Rather than have to erase all my rough pencil lines, I used animation paper and I would then trace out a cleaner version of my sketch onto another piece of paper. The animation paper would allow me to trace the other image easily since I had animation pegs to keep both drawings lined up. Next I would use a few inking tools, mostly sharpy pens and fine liners, and I would start inking my drawings.

I probably worked on the first two or three drawings at the same time when it came to inking. As I progressed I would add a new detail to one drawing and then go back to the others and add the same kind of detail. I love this stage of making art because it allows me to watch television and movies while working. Eventually I discovered the amount of detail I wanted to add without overworking the drawing.

This was probably the longest process of making this book. It was also the most Zen of them of them all. I could just sit and doodle away while watching television. I should also mention that at this point I had not actually decided that this was going to be an actual printed book. My thoughts were that I would just post these pictures online and share them with my friends.

The next phase is when that changed.

Pick up your own copy of the book Treats and Beasts right now on Amazon.

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Yet Another Beastly Treat T-shirt

Cathy the Crocodile t-shirt
by candycritic

Here's the letter C, with a fun crocodile chewing caramels.

Check out the full line of Treats and Beasts t-shirts.

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A New Candy Critic Video Where I Compare Two Very Similar Japanese Candies

For a while, I actually thought that the Hello Panda and the Koala cookies from Japan were the same treat. Part of my life was seeing Hello Pandas on the shelf, and thinking that I remembered them being Koalas, only to see Koalas on the shelf a month later thinking I remembered them as being Pandas. Then I saw them on the shelf together, and I realized that I should be reviewing both of these, together, and here we are.

Make sure to follow us on YouTube to see all our videos as we put them out.

And also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the behind the scenes as we're making the videos.

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Candy In The Media

If you want to see something short, very cute, that involves a Cheeto, than you're in luck.

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Candy In The Media

Apparently animal instinct and candy don't always work together, particularly when you're a raccoon trying to wash your cotton candy.

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Friday Candy Video

After writing about this week's Classic/Creative advertisement, I thought I would look up any commercials for the Eat-More bar.  I couldn't actually remember any off the top of my head, but the minute I watched this one I remembered it.  I don't think this advertisement could be made today, PETA would probably get all up in arms about feeding second rate candy bars to cows... Did I mention I'm not a fan of the Eat-More bar?

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This Week In Candy

I've decided that this week I'm going to start things off with a question.  Is the gummy pictured above an alligator or a crocodile?  I've asked a few of my nature expert friends this very question, and the consensus is that it is a crocodile, and a potentially dangerous one at that.  That got me thinking, how accurate are the depictions of animals in our food? Are animal crackers even close? Would a bear expert complain about the kind of tail found on a gummy bear? Are gummy worms the proper length? I'm always impressed when I come across candy that has a great deal of detail, but now I think I might start looking at accuracy too.

Next week I have a quick excursion planned to lovely Italy.  The plan is to enjoy a little R&R, but I'm sure there will also be some treat hunting as well.  If you have any favorite Italia treats you think I should try, let me know.

I'm also starting work on the second faze of a big writing project.  It's about chocolate, so I'm sure what I'm writing about will spill into Candy Critic fairly regularly.  Right now I'm trying to learn absolutely everything I can about chocolate, the history, the science, everything.  It's a big task, but I think it's going to be really fun.

Finally, all this week on our Instagram feed (Candy Critic Snack Facts) we're looking at fun facts about ice cream.  Ice cream is one of my favorite treats, and since spring should be coming any day now, my body has started to crave some chocolate ripple.  You can also follow Candy Critic Snack Facts on our Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr pages as well.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

Two weeks ago I posted about some fruit flavoured snacks that were associated with a white cat, I was then pointed to a more logical version of the same candy with a black cat.  It's not that I've ever seen a cat eating licorice, in fact most vets say it's a bad idea to feed your cats licorice, but at least the candies resemble cats.  Although I'm not really sure why anybody would want to eat a cat, unless you're ALF.

I found this ad here.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

I'm not really sure what a white cat has to do with fruit flavoured snacks.  I've owned several cats in my day, and none of them have been particularly partial to fruit.  I've never owned a white cat, so maybe they enjoy a banana now and then.  I'll have to check YouTube for "white cat eating fruit" to see if it's true...



Well I'll be damned.

I found this ad here.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

I think this advertisement is cute, and really creative, however I don't understand how one uses a Smarties tube as a gun.  It could be that Smarties tubes are kind of a new thing for me, since in Canada we got our Smarties from a box.  Did kids used to make things out of their Smarties tubes, because that would be awesome and I'd love to see some examples.

I found this ad here.

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Candy News

So apparently dark chocolate is gaining in popularity, I can honestly tell you that I know more people now that would prefer dark chocolate than milk chocolate.

Are you a late night snack fiend, here's a few reason you might be doing it.

The candy store Sugar Factory,that attracts the stars in Las Vegas, is now opening a location in Hollywood.

When you buy a treat at the dollar store, what kind of candy do you expect to get?

Science is still trying to make the perfect alternative sweetener, the question is, do they work?

Do you like your salty snacks to taste like meat?  If so, what's your favorite meat flavour?

How would you like to combine your love of coffee with your fascination with the dead?

I have a parakeet flavoured ice cream cone, what flavour is yours?

If you want to keep up with all of the daily candy news that we come across as it happens, follow us on Twitter.

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Part 2 Of Our Gummy Review-A-Thon

One of the keys to the gummy rise to candy greatness is the range of shapes it can take on.  For a while I tried to collect photos of every single shape of gummy that I ever came across, but it was too big a task.  Every time I step into a candy shop I discover a new shape, some are strange, some are pretty boring.  This week's review looks at how shape is really becoming a crutch of gummy producers, and it seems like they may be missing the boat with flavour range.

Again, today's review was provided to us from our great friends at sugarfina.com.

Click here to read the review.

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Old Candy Critic Articles - Kinder Fun

I've decided to take down several old articles from the candycritic.org and re-post them here on the Candy Critic blog.  This week we look at an article I wrote exploring a fun little basket of Kinder treats.

So it's Easter and what's the greatest part about Easter? It’s really one of the best examples for a holiday that brings fun and candy together. This is the time of year that candy has to be fun. If it’s as simple as hunting for chocolate eggs, or a cool and crazy candy in a basket, Easter is all about playing with your treats. So what does the Candy Critic do to celebrate this type of holiday? Well I go to the folks that make "Kinder Surprise" and pick up an Easter fun type basket. Wondering if it's the treat for you? Well look no further as we present; Candy Critic looks at the "Easter Kinder Mix" pack.

Kinder Surprise

Nothing says fun more than the word “surprise”, and nothing is more surprising than the prize you might find in a Kinder Surprise. I say this with much honesty, only because some of the prizes are a little strange. Covered in great chocolate and always filled with cool prizes, this is one of the treats I always go for when I'm in a bad mood. Since Easter is all about making sure you’re in a really good mood this treat fits the bill.

Here's a picture of my prize:

Kinder Choko-Bon

Kinder Choko-Bon is what you might call interesting. As usual the chocolate is great quality, a regular trait in Kinder treats. This one has either a white really light nougat or a white chocolate filling, with little wafer or nutty bits. I like it since nothing is better than a bite into something with a little texture surprise.

Kinder Bar

If you like the chocolate on the ever popular Kinder Surprise then get yourself a whack of these. This is basically the egg without the prize. Well that and it's rectangular not oval and it's not hollow. Okay so it's not really like the egg at all, but the chocolate is great and there's no chance of biting into a prize.

Kinder Hippo

Of all the treats in Kinder collection, this is the only one I've never sampled before. I'm not sure if they're new, but they’re new to me. So here goes… Holy cow, these are great!  It's like a light tasting "Nutella" cream inside a wafer Hippo. How many times in your life can you say, "wafer Hippo"? It's not bad, like all Kinder treats the creamy stuff is high quality and smooth, and everything about it says fun. If you can find a Kinder Hippo, try it out you might like it. My only problem is they appear to be rather fragile, I got two in this Kinder pack, and they were both busted.

As a bonus here's my Hippo getting lassoed by my Kinder Surprise prize:

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Candy Art - Cutest Cookies Ever

If anybody can point me out to cookies that look cuter than these, I'll be truly amazed.

I can't say that I've ever seen cookies before that would make me feel so guilty about biting the heads off.

I particularly like the use of real food to decorate.

Click here to see more of these cute cookies.

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Can You Bear This Review...

I wonder what the first ever animal shaped treat was.  I'm guessing it might be animal crackers, but I could be wrong.  I'm sure that people had been making desserts that look like animals for many years before that, but as a mass produced treat, animal crackers have been around for a long time.  It's a strange thing to want to eat the likeness of an animal, but for some reason it seems to entertain us.

Click here to read our latest bear review.

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Friday Candy Video - A Fox That Eats Marshmallows

From what I understand, and I could be wrong, this fox was rescued from a fur farm and is unable to be re-released into the wild.  He's also able to eat more marshmallows that I can in a single sitting.

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Candy Art - Hula Hoops and Coffee

There is a great deal of debate about how "random" this picture actually is.  I'm willing to guess that there is a possibility that it was either Photoshoped or that it was designed by one of those crazy baristas that can make just about any image in a coffee.  Either way it looks really cool, and it begs the question, what does a Hula Hoop dipped in coffee taste like?

I found the image here, and there's more information about the guy who discovered it.

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Friday Candy Video - Controversial Skittles Ad?

Skittles ads are really a breed unto themselves.  They're strange, creepy, and often make me laugh... uncomfortably.  However after watching this ad, check out this story Boing Boing posted about a complaint someone had about this commercial.  While I find this ad creepy, I don't think it endorses bestiality.

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