BORBAY

When creating a brand painting, I set out to visually capture an essence. Lucas Bols is focused on the marriage of its storied history, with a cutting edge, fresh re-brand. During my research, I was particularly inspired by the colors and flow of the House of Bols (which I must visit). With this in mind, I decided to create a golden action painting, combining history with the future. After the jump, each step along the way.

It’s always helpful to start out with a rough sketch. Since I use pre-made canvas, the clear wrapping serves for an excellent surface to experiment without commitment – the “college” of the painting world.

To visualize the House of Bols experience, I created a simple, abstract image of a freshly opened bottle.

Experimenting with the parts of the canvas I don’t paint, the composition is diagonal and asymmetrical, yet balanced.

Beginning to paint the rainbow gradation of the Lucas Bols product line on top of a selective body of text. “Bring life” “It’s Show Time” “house” “King” “Pulse”.

Applying the rainbow.

The alchemy of color and gold creates an energetic explosion liberating the cursive words “Bols Amsterdam, Est. 1575” from the past, while celebrating the past.

The final painting is a merge of past and present. The gold, which is difficult to photograph, dances through the rainbow field of typography, anchored by the classic Lucas Bols logo.

A side shot to get the feel of transition.

Slightly askew, demonstrating the light play.

From beneath. Depending on the lighting, any gold portion of the painting will be the brightest point.

It’s important you understand the product you are painting. Thanks to the Lucas Bols team, I was able to get my hands on some delicious Bols Genever. It’s not gin, and it’s not whiskey. Though nearly impossible to define (which is a good thing), I can tell you, it tastes delicious both neat, and in a Genever Punch!