WORK SHOWCASE: Joe McKendry

This week, the Directory of Illustration is proud to highlight new work from Joe McKendry.

Illustrator: Joe McKendry

Client: Wine Spectator Magazine, AD John Thompson

Project: July Issue Cover Art featuring Top Chardonnay Producers

FROM THE ARTIST: “In April, was asked by art director John Thompson if I would be interested in creating the cover for the July 31 cover of Wine Spectator Magazine. I’ve had an ongoing relationship with John for years and have worked with him on several projects at Whiskey Advocate and Cigar Aficionado where he also serves as art director. 

This assignment required that I create seven color portraits of the top Chardonnay producers in California.  In addition, I was asked to create paintings of the featured wine bottles.  I completed the illustrations first with a pencil drawing. On a separate sheet of watercolor paper, I painted the color – using a light table to make sure it more or less lined up with the line drawing below. After scanning the line and color, I pieced them together in photoshop making minor adjustments and color shifts along the way.”