Opinion on some other cover art

[Graham Irwin]

graham, i really like your sketch!

 

[grahamguitarman]

Thanks Graham

Another version, bit more moody and less overt (I hope) again just a sketch

 

[The Blue Lotus]

Like I sid I just tossed it together using some pics that I happened to have on my PC.

The nebula pic from a Hubble mission, a space ship from I have no idea where, and a flaming skull left over from when my sister was looking for some Tee shirt art work to freak out her Cheer coach with.

I was not sure if you wanted a softer focus or something a bit more harsh so I went soft.

If you like any of the layers I will gladly email you the stock pic. Just let me know which one.


Gra, That is cool! I wish I had talent like that. *turning green*

 

[Jess A]

Move the image down a bit. It's too close to the top font and clashes.

The font is kind of blech - I can't currently offer a better solution, but I am sure somebody else can.

Even the red is a bit...meh. It doesn't have a very professional look about it at all. However! I like the simplicity and think you should certainly maintain that.

 

[Telcontar]

Wow, Graham. You have got some serious skills. That is MUCH more what I had in mind. I would be honored to have that as my cover.

 

[grahamguitarman]

Wow, Graham. You have got some serious skills. That is MUCH more what I had in mind. I would be honored to have that as my cover.

I'll get it tidied up and more professionally finished over the weekend then

 

[grahamguitarman]

Finished (I think)

Ok here is the completed artwork, I have to say that Spaceships are much easier than fantasy art LOL

 

[Devor]

Ok here is the completed artwork, I have to say that Spaceships are much easier than fantasy art LOL

View attachment 356

I'd take a look at a story with that cover. Nicely done.

 

[Telcontar]

Incredible. Thank you, Graham! I'll have you in mind for future covers, and you can bet I'll spread your name far and wide as a wonderful artist - provided that's what you want.

Hm. Apparently posting bad art in these forums attracts good artists... must remember this...

Edit: Also, was able to change the one window to a matching blue color in GIMP.

Edit2: Cover with lettering is now up in a new blog post. Tell me what you think now.

 

[Johnny Cosmo]

Telcontar: You have larger gaps between the text and the vertical edges of the cover than you do between the text and the horizontal edges. It'd look a lot more professional if the space was equal all round. I also think the text would look better a little darker.

 

[grahamguitarman]

Looks good, only reason I didn't change the back window was because of all the greenish reflections from it.
One thing I'm a little unsure about is the positioning of the spaceship on the page. Could have been a little lower, but it was hard judging the position without the text. but thats not a killer

Edit: or the text slightly higher?

 

[Johnny Cosmo]

Edit: or the text slightly higher?

That's what I was getting at, but perhaps the story title text should be a little smaller as well. It'd definitely balance the artwork out a bit.

 

[Telcontar]

Hi folks. Thought I'd show off yet another eBook cover here - this is the one for the Swordsman of Carn Nebeth. I'm very happy with it.



Letting is currently just a placeholder, but I imagine it'll end up something like that. I love hand-drawn covers! Or rather, hand-painted in this case.

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

I love the art, where did it come from? And yeah, the lettering was my only complaint -- the author name should have a drop shadow or border or something. The title font, too, is one of those that looks... When I see that font, I think, "Oh, that font." Even though I don't know what its name is. ;-)

 

[Telcontar]

I love the art, where did it come from? And yeah, the lettering was my only complaint -- the author name should have a drop shadow or border or something. The title font, too, is one of those that looks... When I see that font, I think, "Oh, that font." Even though I don't know what its name is. ;-)

Heh heh - it's called Lucida. I'm sorry to say that element will probably remain. I rather like the font myself.

The art is a painting by an acquaintance of mine, an artist who used to be a professional illustrator. It was a lucky break for me that he felt like doing some painting when he heard about my need for a cover. I hope I can get him to do more!

 

[grahamguitarman]

nice cover makes a nice change from the hyper-realist stuff you normally see

 

[Telcontar]

Very much. Like I said, I prefer hand-drawn and hand-painted, which was why it was such a pleasure to have you offer your work as well Graham. I hope that I'll be able to hire you in truth in the future, because I'd like to keep up the habit of getting real artists to do my covers.

Oh, and Ben - you have been saved from Lucida. I found a nice little font on a free 'fantasy fonts' site that I've switched to.

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

Hee hee! Is it Fairy Dust? That's what I used for the titles on "The Demons of Lashtë". And then I started noticing it everywhere. ;-)

 

[Telcontar]

Hee hee! Is it Fairy Dust? That's what I used for the titles on "The Demons of Lashtë". And then I started noticing it everywhere. ;-)

Nope! I downloaded that one too, though. It's one called Black Adder II. Doesn't look at all like it sounds.

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

Haha, that's the font they used for the titles in the Black Adder TV series (or at least for series 2, hence why it's called Black Adder II).