Glass is extremely difficult to draw. It’s clear. HOW DO YOU DRAW CLEAR? And while I like a good challenge, I find glass to be a less than enjoyable sketch subject. As seen in my previous post when drawing that glass.

One reason that glass is difficult is because it is so unlike anything else in the world. It really is beautiful. How amazing is it to be able to see both the inside and the outside surfaces at the same time. The reason that it’s hard to draw is probably because the light is also confused. Refracted, one might say. If one were a scientist. I’ll let you reflect on that.

I am always completely mesmerized by artists who are extremely good at painting or drawing glass. Look at some of these, all examples of hyperrealism, which is not my personal style, but am still enthralled by:

Jason de Graaf done in Acrylic paints

Appropriately, wine and glasses by Eric Christensen

And this glass done in pencil by Marcello Barenghi (although, I feel like I see a tiny bit of color… maybe it’s my computer screen)

Now I feel really bad about how mine looks. I should’ve spent a few more days on it I suppose…

Moving on! At first I said to myself, “Oh, how serendipitous! That the day I should have to draw a wine bottle would be on a Friday! So funny.” Hilarious, really. So I drove over to ye olde World Market and bought this bottle of wine:

Now, at this point you’re probably asking, “Oh Rachael, you have such refined taste, however do you decide upon the perfect wine for you’re delicate palate?” Well my friends, you are in luck. Here it is:

Rachael’s Guide to Buying Wine

1. Color: I usually steer towards white wine, especially if drinking by itself. Or by yourself. Like tonight.
2. Type: Other than by the color, Pinot Grigio seems to be a pretty good choice. I base this decision off of the fact that this is what Liz Lemon (30 Rock) drinks. Sometimes Riesling is okay. Sometimes Chardonnay. Refer to tip #1 for more explanation. As you see, my selection tonight was a wine spritz. Whatever that is.
3. Price: Is it expensive? Keep on strolling by buster. That is not the right choice for you. My motto when buying wine is: “UNDER 10, THAT’S A WIN! UNDER FOUR? BUY TWO MORE!”
4. Aesthetics: This should really be number one. I was between the one I chose tonight (which is rather adorable from a design prespective), or Cupcake, which is just pretty darn cute. Once my college roommates and I bought a bottle of wine simply based on the fact that there was an illustration of a sharply dressed frog on the label. Who cares that it was the single most disgusting thing I have ever tasted. CUTE FROG!!
5. Country of origin: In all honesty, I usually don’t notice this, but this one is from South Africa! How neat is that?
6. Pay attention to the description: Look for words like “sweet,” “fruity,” “light,” or mentions of other fruits. This wine had a 4 in this rating system.

In conclusion: I don’t drink wine very often. Obviously, because I had to go buy a wine bottle in order to drink I mean draw it.