In December 2013, Maga Design Group, a studio focused on cutting-edge information architecture and data visualization, contracted me to sketch the bar at the Jack Rose Saloon, located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood here in Washington, DC, where they would be holding their holiday party. The assignment was simple: sit at the bar and sketch the place in a style similar to my urban sketches of architecture and buildings here in DC. Two nights, a sheet of 9" x 12" sketchbook paper, lots of ink, some pencil lead, and a few craft beers later, this was the result. The illustration was used in collateral for the party, including the invites, Facebook page header, and cocktail napkins. And true to Maga form, the party was an incredible presentation and success, focused on a southern theme to commemorate their expansion to a second office in South Carolina.
The bar at Jack Rose Saloon; it's going to be a busy two evenings ahead of me...
Mapping the layout of the bar section that I'm going to sketch.
Laying down the initial pencil lines. I allowed myself no samples of Jack Rose's excellent collection of craft beers until this stage was finished.
And away we go; it's going to be a busy evening...
Progress at the end of the first evening. Wrists hurt a little, eyes are vibrating a bit, and the samples of craft beers are sitting wonderfully in my stomach.
Second evening, game on; my brain, weighed artistically heavy towards the left, starts zero'ing in on all of those whiskey bottle labels. Jack Rose has, perhaps, the finest and most volumous collection of fine whiskey's in the world, so attention to the bottles could not be overlooked.
Almost there...
...almost there...
...just about there...
...done! The end result of two nights sitting at the bar of a great Washington, DC saloon, sampling some incredible craft beers (small pours only, please; I'm drawing), and sketching a challenging, yet enjoyable subject matter. One of the bartenders, Nate, actually appeared on an episode of "Bar Rescue", and happens to be a very nice person and a talented mixologist. If you're ever in Washington, DC, visit Jack Rose Saloon, and if you're ever looking for a design studio focused on information architecture and data visualization, check out the fine people and top-notch professionals at Maga Design.
