Claude Bernard of Studio Pistolet Bleu, a full-service design studio in Bordeaux, France, recently contacted me by email about doing an illustration to be used on a new wine label for Chateau De Calvieres, located in southern France.

Note: I have worked with Claude since 2005. We have been able to work together because he speaks and writes English very well—I, in contrast, neither speak nor understand the French language.

Claude sent me an email to explain the project:

Hello Michael, Here is a new interesting project for a client who has to carry out his Label in a short time. His wine is produced in south of France (an area called Camargue) probably one of the best one in this area. The name is "ESPERITU SANTO" (Holy Spirit) and the illustration has to be creative, unique and very high quality. So it must illustrate the devil which fears the arrival of the Holy Spirit. To some extent it would be a metaphor about the arrival of a new wine star compare to the traditional imagery. A kind of mix with serious topic and humor bring by a graphic decalage could introduce to theme (like the bear and the torreador). I send you this engraving which they liked by its meaning but not its graphic; here it's cold but he has to be scared, an exaggerated fear. If he would have legs like bull feet would be good (this area which produce wine is also famous historically for the Tauromachie, the bull fighting). He could handle the fork down on the ground with his hands covering a part of his face like if he would going to get a flash as a punishment from the Holy Spirit, this scene would have to be dated around 18 century. A second suggestion would be to see the devil still with this fear attitude with grape in his hands like if he would have stolen it waiting for a punishment. Michael I would like to know the price and how long time to have that work. Hope to get an answer soon because as I told you we are in a hurry, the client is waiting. Talk to you soon Claude

After settling on a fee and schedule, Claude emailed me a mockup of the label, which I used to begin the pencil stage.

Proceed to step 2 to see how the illustration was done.