Jell Ring

Most commonly found in Kosher Delis or supermarkets in Jewish neighborhoods, Jell Ring, a product of the Joyva corporation, is a favorite treat for Jewish families, especially on the Sabbath. Known primarily for its sesame-based, halvah products, Joyva was started by Nathan Radutsky, a Russian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1907. Available as either rings (shown) or bars, with a chocolate covered Jelly center, these brightly colored Jell products are the perfect subject for a hyperrealistic drawing. Chocolate itself, however, presents a challenge to execute accurately. Finding the right balance between colors that are too muddy, or tones that are not the right shade to communicate actual “chocolate” and not a dark mess, takes patience and a lot of careful shading. I hope you think the end result works!