Cupcakes and paint are a pretty perfect combo. One feeds your soul, the other feeds your sweet tooth. In this tutorial, Trekell Pro Team Artist Sandra Sanchez shows you how to paint a small framed cupcake study on a Trekell 6" Round Floater Panel using Trekell Opal and Crimson Taklon brushes.
This project works with oils, acrylics, gouache, and watercolor. You simply prep your Trekell panel to match the medium you love, then follow Sandra’s steps to build a delicious cupcake from sketch to final highlights.
Trekell Supplies You’ll Need
- Trekell 6" Round Floater Panel
- Trekell Opal Flat brushes
- Trekell Opal Round brushes
- Trekell Crimson Taklon Small Round brushes
- Additional Trekell Crimson Taklon detail brushes (optional for very fine details)
- Your preferred paint: oils, acrylics, gouache, or watercolor
- A cupcake reference that you can enjoy eating at the end
How to Prep Your Trekell Panel for Different Mediums
Before you start painting, make sure your Trekell Round Floater Panel is prepped for the specific medium you are using. Proper prep helps your paint adhere, balances absorbency, and gives your colors the best chance to shine.
For oil paint
Seal the wood if needed, then apply at least one layer of an oil‑compatible primer such as an oil‑primed or universal gesso. Let it dry fully before drawing or painting so the surface is even and ready for oils.
For acrylic paint
Apply acrylic gesso over the panel and let it dry. Use one or two coats depending on how smooth or absorbent you like your painting surface. Lightly sand between coats if you want a softer, more refined feel.
For gouache
Prep the panel much like you would for acrylic. Use acrylic gesso to create a slightly absorbent, matte ground. Avoid very slick surfaces so that gouache can grip and layer cleanly.
For watercolor
Either apply watercolor ground to the panel according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or securely adhere watercolor paper to the panel with an archival adhesive. Make sure edges are sealed flat so washes do not pool or lift unexpectedly.
Once your Trekell panel is prepped for your chosen medium, you are ready to follow Sandra’s cupcake painting steps.
Step One: Prep Your Trekell Round Floater Panel and Draw
Great dessert paintings start with a properly prepared surface. Sandra uses a Trekell 6" Round Floater Panel, which creates a built‑in frame that feels perfect for small, collectible studies.
When the surface is ready for your medium, lightly sketch your cupcake directly on the panel. Focus on the overall shape of the cake, the wrapper, and the swirl of frosting on top. Keep the drawing simple and clear so your paint can do the rest of the work.
Having a real cupcake or a clear photo reference nearby helps you place highlights, shadows, and the tilt of the wrapper so your drawing sets up a convincing final painting.
Step Two: Create Your First Paint Layer
Next, Sandra builds a foundation layer of paint on the cupcake and background. Using Trekell Opal Flat and Opal Round brushes, apply a thin, controlled layer of your chosen medium across the panel.
In this stage, think about value and big shapes rather than details. Place your darkest values in the background and deep shadows. Block in the mid tones of the cake and wrapper. Keep the frosting lighter so it already begins to stand out as the focal point.
This first layer on the Trekell panel acts as your roadmap. No matter which paint you use, it helps you judge value and color relationships before you commit to more opaque, detailed strokes.
Step Three: Build Cupcake Details with Trekell Crimson Taklon Brushes
When the first layer is dry or stable enough to work over, Sandra moves into detail work. She reaches for Trekell Crimson Taklon Small Round brushes to refine the cupcake.
Now focus on volume and texture. Use slightly warmer, darker colors in the folds of the wrapper to create depth. Add lighter strokes where the cake catches the light at the top edges and ridges. Shape the frosting by following its natural spiral with confident curved strokes and pay attention to where the light hits the ridges of the icing.
Crimson Taklon brushes give you crisp edges and excellent control on the Trekell panel surface. This is the stage where the cupcake begins to look truly edible.
Step Four: Paint the Floater Frame and Add Finishing Touches
With the cupcake established, Sandra turns her attention to the frame and final details. Using Trekell Opal Flat brushes for the frame and Crimson Taklon brushes for small refinements, she brings the 6" Round Floater Panel to life as a finished object.
Choose frame colors that complement your cupcake. You might keep it neutral and classic or choose a rich warm tone that echoes the dessert. As you work, sharpen important edges that you want the viewer to notice. Soften less critical areas so the eye naturally goes to the frosting. Add tiny highlights where the icing and wrapper catch the light to give a fresh, glossy feel.
At this point, you have a complete cupcake painting that feels like a tiny framed treasure right on your Trekell Round Floater Panel.
Enjoy Your Cupcake and Your Trekell Panel
Once you have finished painting and cleaned your Trekell brushes, reward yourself by eating the cupcake you used as reference. It is a small celebration of the time you invested in your art and a reminder that painting can stay playful and enjoyable.
Studies like this are perfect for practicing brush control, values, edges, and texture without committing to a huge piece. The combination of Trekell Round Floater Panels and Trekell Opal and Crimson Taklon brushes gives you a professional surface and tools that make every stroke more confident.
Try Your Own Dessert Study on Trekell Panels
Cupcakes are just one option. You can use the same approach to paint donuts, slices of cake, fruit tarts, or even scoops of ice cream. The key is choosing a Trekell panel, prepping it carefully for the paint you want to use, and reaching for brushes that give you both soft blends and precise details.
If you try Sandra Sanchez’s cupcake tutorial on a Trekell Round Floater Panel, share your results and tag Trekell so we can see your dessert paintings. We love seeing how artists use Trekell panels and brushes to turn everyday treats into tiny works of art.