Have you ever wondered how an original book cover is created?
Well, it’s a work of art, a labor of love that includes brainstorming and research, a fascinating journey. It’s a creative process that involves the transformation of ideas into concepts, the conversion of words into tangible images. It starts with a sketch and it ends with a visual statement. But the best way of understanding the process, is to witness it, as I did in the case of my new novel, The Curse Giver.
Take a look at the concept’s evolution. If you click on the pictures, you will see the details coming to life.
Pretty neat, yes?
Brad Fraunfelter, the talented artist who created The Curse Giver‘s stunning cover, agreed to share his perspective with us, answering a few questions about his work and the cover’s creation process.
Q: What was your inspiration for The Curse Giver‘s cover?
Brad: My inspiration for the cover was drawn closely from the author’s write up’s which I studied carefully. I chose the last idea which was on Dora’s list because I felt it would be visually most interesting. I wanted to show a dramatic contrast between the softness of the skin and dress of the girl, against the harshness of the armor of the man. For this reason I chose a white dress and pale skin for the girl, and dark, jagged armor for the man.
Q: How long did it take you from start to finish?
Brad: From start to finish, the painting took roughly a month: It involved a lot of preliminary research to study various forms of armor, and to design and sketch all the parts of what he was wearing, including the sword, helmet, and shield. Once I had these problems solved I could start on the painting itself.
Q: How did you accomplish such a stunning light effect on the armor?
Brad: To achieve the lighting effect on the armor I carefully studied the effects of light and reflections on metal. I also studied a few images of armor that I found on the internet for reference material. I also did several photoshoots of my own to get the placement of the man’s arms and hands correct and to nail the position of the light source. I wanted to achieve the appearance of a “mystical” glow, so as one of the last steps to the painting I brushed in a soft white haze across the highlight areas, such as the girl’s dress.
Fascinating. Don’t you think?
To take a look at Brad’s creative process, from beginning to end go to: http://www.bradfraunfelterillustration.com/
Website: www.bradfraunfelterillustration.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Brad Fraunfelter Illustration
Glendale, California
(323)240-5744
Tags: Book cover, Books, Brad Fraunfelter, Character development, Cover Design, Creative writing; writing, Dark fantasy, Dora Machado, Epic fantasy, fantasy, Fantasy romance, love writing, Paranormal romance, publishing, readers, Reading, romance, romance writing, Romantic fantasy, Stonewiser, summer reading, The Creative Process, The Curse Giver, writers, Writing, writing blog
Very Interesting!!
Love the cover, Dora! Amazing. I love watching creative works like this evolve. ;o) Thanks for sharing.