Ok, so I know I said I would try some landscapes next but... I figured since I had made a few romance covers for other people that maybe I should make some, out of the random images that I had been collecting, for myself. It has been kind of fun. So much fun that I might just do some more of these ;)

Me time.

So... I have had a lot on my mind with work and all this past couple of weeks. And since my Graphic Design job has recently not had much to do with creative work I needed some time to get into the art zone. Ended up grabbing some random images and cleaned them up to get into touch with me again. I think next I should focus on some landscapes.

Nighttime goofs

I have been goofing off a little bit these last two weeks. Instead of working physically out at the end of the night like I am supposed to, I have been working out artistically. And I think I like it!

To Share a Piece of Sky

I recently finished work on a new book cover project called 'To Share a Piece of Sky' by Paul Ljucovic. It was a challenge to make such a location specific with a night scene romance but I think it was well worth it in the end. Even if the lighting could of been better. But as the saying goes we are our own worst critic.

Here is the first round of thumbnails I did. The funny thing is the very first one was the ones that the author chose for me to finish off. Sometimes our first instinct are the best.

So even though the rough sketch was approved I still was not happy about the composition since I was afraid that it was too evenly balanced. So I pulled the frame out and included more background. The plan was that if I had more options to crop down from then I could 'find' a better composition.

So the funny thing is that even after building out the surrounding areas the composition that ended up being the winner and best choice was basically the one that I had started out with. Sometimes those instincs as just darn annoying things, especially when they show us up in the end.

Abattoir

Abattoir

This time around I made a horror book cover with a mainstream feeling. I was contacted by Stan Swanson to make a book cover for Abattoir by Christopher Leppek and Emanuel Isler under the publisher Dark Moon Books.

The first round was more of an exploration of the building and little girl.

While the second round I got to play with the hierarchy between the girl, background and building. Personally I liked the first and third.

And finally I worked on the color and finishing details. The bricks were killers but I think that they were well worth the time I spent on them instead of sleeping.

 

Now all that is left is to wait for the book to go on sale.

Arizona Afterwards

So Christopher Green and I have come back together to work on another book called Arizona Afterwards. This time around Chris wanted a destroyed pretty place, shown featuring a billboard. And yes, I did try some other ideas but I am glad with the one that we ended up with.

Here was the initial round of sketches.

These are two at the next level. But only one must be chosen.

And finally here is the final piece. I think this one was worth every minute I spent on it.

Love and Other Losses

So I have finished working on a couple of book covers for an very nice author named Christopher Green. The two covers are meant to be in a series of darker modern books. The first one is now available on Amazon, look for Love and Other Losses on a Wish List for you.

Here are the initial thumbnails I put together for Chris to choose two from for me to take to the next level.

After that, I took two to a more finished level, these were the two that did not make it to the last round.

And finally, these were the two pieces that were chosen. I think they came out looking very moody and sad.