Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wine Bottle Watercolor



Watercolor and ink on 9X12 140 lb cold press paper

When I saw this wine bottle on the store shelf, I knew I had to at least try to paint it.  How could I resist?  So fun and colorful and full of tiny details.  Well, there were quite a few times when I almost just gave up thinking I had taken on too much.  There were details on the label that I hadn't even noticed until I started to paint!  The artist that designed this label is so talented.  As usual, when I took a few steps back from the watercolor, I liked it more than up close.  I need to do that more often- when we paint we are too close to the painting to really look at it.  I left out a few of the tiniest details and that was the key- knowing when to stop.  I did decide to add the wine glass when I was finished with the bottle and it seemed to need something else.  When I added the ink outlining (on the label) with my rapidograph, it really helped make the details stand out.
This was one of those times that leaving the background white seemed right to me so I just added the shadows.
I forgot to mention the bonus- the wine IN the bottle was really quite good.  I was buying the bottle anyway- it wasn't the least bit important to me how good the wine was.  Sometimes, it is just about the label.  The cork was even worthy of painting, with the elephant on the end!
Posted by Mermaid's Palette at 1:52 PM
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16 comments:

  1. Maria's WatercolorMarch 30, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Oh my, it is outstanding! I am so amazed that you can get all those details with watercolor, wow, just love it, the cork and the glass add to it perfectly.

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  2. Mermaid's PaletteMarch 30, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Thank you so much, Maria- I'm glad you like it!

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  3. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Wow! This is awesome. I like your sentiment about adding the little details and knowing when to stop! I know just what you mean!

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  4. TeresaMarch 30, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    I love it! How DO you manage to paint so fast?

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  5. Mermaid's PaletteMarch 30, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Thanks, Katherine- I keep trying to remember when to set down the brush!

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  6. Mermaid's PaletteMarch 30, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Thanks, Teresa! First of all, I have no kids left at home and that means my time is more my own. Second, I am usually working on more than one at a time and then there are weeks when I paint nothing!

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  7. PatMarch 31, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Excellent painting!
    So, are you drinking the wine as you paint? :lol:

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  8. AnnetteMarch 31, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I love this and to think in the wine counter there are lots of goodies to paint You are a smart artist in my book Hugs Annette

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  9. Mermaid's PaletteMarch 31, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Thanks, Pat! Of course- wine and painting work well together!

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  10. Mermaid's PaletteApril 1, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Thanks, Annette!

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  11. suzanneberryApril 6, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Amazing, I love this!

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  12. suzanneberryApril 6, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    me again. i wanted to thank you for your comments on my blog but can't find your email address. thanks so much! i love those oranges and apples as well!

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  13. Mermaid's PaletteApril 7, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Thank you so much, Suzanne! I appreciate your nice comments!

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  14. BenApril 27, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Hi Sheryl,

    Wow! That is very cool. Very nice work. I am actually the designer who designed the label for Michael David. I am honored that you liked it enough to paint it :D Let me know if you make any prints of it as the Winery loves this kind of stuff. Now you have to do the back label :D Keep up the great work as I think it is all awesome.

    Thanks,

    Ben

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  15. Mermaid's PaletteApril 30, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Ben-
    Thank you so much for your very nice comment! Like I mentioned in my post- This is the best wine label EVER- you did a great job! I would love to do prints, need your email or some way to contact you. The back label is coming- the bottle is in my studio waiting for me!
    Thanks again,
    Sheryl

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  16. BenAugust 6, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Hi Sheryl,

    Sorry, I forgot to check back. My email is Sandinista.67@gmail.com. Hope you and yours are having a great summer. I'm just finishing up a new label for Michael David. I'll send ya a pic when it's done.

    Wineries love to see artist do paintings of their wine. Keep it up and I bet you could get commissioned to do some art.

    Thanks,

    Ben

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Thank you so much for your comments- I love to hear what you think!

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