Limited Edition Label Art

Hi, Leila here, welcome to the latest post of the Beckhorn Valley View. In this post I am going to be talking a little about Eve's cider club and my and my brother's part: creating label art for the limited edition ciders.

Firstly, I want to start this off thanking my parents. My family was getting super down because of COVID19 and you guys took the chance to give me and Zuri this awesome opportunity to do artwork for labels. When you have a goal to work towards, it takes your mind off the state of the world.

Also I want to thank mom and dad for this column in the blog, it's been really fun writing for all you amazing people reading this. I want to give a big thank you to you, the reader, wherever you are, I hope you are staying safe and healthy.

And with that, let's dive in!

I want to go into detail about Zuri and my artistic process. Here is an interview with Zuri.

LS: What’s your medium?

ZS: Pen and ink and colored pencils.

LS: How do you get inspired?

ZS: I can’t be like “OK I’m gonna get inspired now” it hits me just out of the blue like “inspiration!” and before I know what my hands are reaching for some art supplies.

LS: how did you feel about the opportunity to make a label?

ZS: it’s exciting. I've never really publicized my art, so it’s a little nerve-racking.

LS: What's the first thing you do when you start drawing?

ZS: Most artists start with a rough sketch. I don’t do layers. I just go through making the finished work as I draw.

LS: What is your process?

ZS: first is to get my art supplies. Then I find a suitable drawing surface such as a table etc. I start right off with a pen and ink drawing, although sometimes I use a pencil instead, I like to think about the thoughts my art would provoke while I draw. I always complete my drawing and only start coloring once it’s done. To color, I start with the basic colors and move my way on to more detailed accents and shading. I rarely sign my art piece. When I’m done I’ll take a look at it and try to feel the feelings it provokes.

Zuri is illustrating labels for the Wikson, Kingston Black, Frequin Rouge and DeRidder ciders.

My medium right now (it changes a lot) is watercolor, and I'm pretty sure it is the thing I want to stick with.

Inspiration wise, I am a lot like Zuri, I can't force myself to do art. I usually keep my art supplies lying around just in case I suddenly get an inspiration. When I do, I have to get my idea down on paper before it gets away from me.

I usually start with a rough pencil sketch, and add more and more detail on with the pencil. Next I mix VERY LIGHT base watercolor coats and sketch them on. I add increasingly darker and more specific coats until I am satisfied.

I like to pay attention to how different colors complement each other. After that, I go in with a fine liner pen and draw over most of the lines, the labels are fairly small so I had to use a pretty large pen size so that the picture would be bold enough to be eye-catching.

Then I go down to a super thin pen tip, 0.1 to 0.05, and put in the last touches, think eyebrows and fingernails. Lastly, I add any final touches with some colored pencils.

I am illustrating labels for the Golden Russet, Virginia St. Edmunds, Puget Spice, and Porters Perfection ciders.

Thank you for reading! The limited edition ciders will be available to cider subscription members. If you haven't already, I suggest signing up, you can get either a 3 bottle or 6 bottle subscription, and can see the labels firsthand!

Hi there! Welcome to my column: The Beckhorn Valley View.

My name is Leila. I'm an un-schooling, circus performing, art-loving farm kid who now has their own column in the Eves Cidery farm blog. In my regular column you'll get a Leila-eye-view of the farm, I'll share with you the beautiful scenery of the cider orchards, creative solutions to everyday farm problems, the latest news from the farm dogs, a unique glimpse of my distracted parents and so much more. I hope you enjoy the read and become a regular- have a creative day!