Wine Label Illustration // A Homage to Chilean Giant Bumblebee Bombus Dalhbombii

I recently had the pleasure of working with drinks company Urban Beverages who are based in Norway, to create an illustration for the label of a new Chilean wine. For this particular wine, the designers wanted to pay homage to Chile's native critically-endangered giant bumblebee, Bombus Dahlbomii, and hoped to show a traditional style illustration of the bee on the label.

I was asked to supply two versions; in faded vintage-style colours and black and white. I really enjoyed researching old scientific art for this, as one of my top inspirations is old botanical art.

Also called the Patagonian Bumblebee, or "flying mouse", Chile's beloved native bumblebee is said to carry the spirits of the dead. Sadly its numbers are dwindling due to diseases from imported non-native bee species, so scientists are now working hard to save them. 

I'm excited to share photos of the printed label on the new wine when it is released!

Below: initial pencil sketch, colour version, black and white version. 

Artwork © Amy Holliday 2021

www.amyholliday.co.uk

California Fruit Wine Co. // Pumpkin & Cranberry Fall Wines

Shortly after I created some fruity illustrations for California Fruit Wine Co.'s labels, a second batch was needed. This time it was "Pumpkin Spice" and Cranberry, whose flavours have just been released for the Fall/Autumn season. Yum!

My portfolio website: www.amyholliday.co.uk

California Fruit Wine Co. website: www.californiafruitwine.com

California Fruit Wine Co. on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cfwco/

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015

Photos (C) California Fruit Wine Co. 2015

California Fruit Wine Co. // Illustrations for Wine Bottle Labels

Way back at the start of the year, I was asked to create some fruity label illustrations for the fabulous California Fruit Wine Co.  The San Diego winery is the pioneer producer of all natural wines handcrafted from fruits other than grapes.

I illustrated each fruit separately and then placed pairs together where needed, working within the format of the labels. The style of the series is based on my own pineapple illustration (you might recognise!) from last year.

My portfolio website: www.amyholliday.co.uk

California Fruit Wine Co. website: www.californiafruitwine.com

California Fruit Wine Co. on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cfwco/

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015

Photos (C) California Fruit Wine Co. 2015

Sneak Peek // Red Wine

I've been much quieter than usual lately, very busy with work, family and trying to stay healthy! (i.e. life?)

I am now in the final stages of completing a large project that's been with me (on and off) since June. With no animals, flowers or fruit in sight it was daunting to say the least! Its been hard work but, I'm so pleased I've done it.

I'll share some sneak peeks before I have the go-ahead to release the full versions :)

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2014. Please do not use without permission.

New Fruits: Red & Green Grapes and Wine labels

I have been so wrapped up in trying to get things done lately that I have been forgetting to blog! Here are some more portfolio images I have been working on. I have been wanting to create some more food illustrations, in particular for packaging, and where is a better place to start than some mock wine labels?

I aimed to paint big juicy bunches of grapes in a similar way to the vegetables (link) by drawing them from life and then focusing on capturing their rich colours. I have also added a background with these, something that I do not do often enough.

I attempted a much looser effect with some red grape vines, and have experimented with using them as a design for a mock Welch's juice design.