Something new....with wings!
Here's a new cover I did-it's in oil and 20x30 inches. It's for BARD'S OATH by Joanne Bertin. She finally has been writing her third book in a series started over ten years ago. I did a sketch for this, a few months ago and you can see how I changed things as it developed. I wanted to make the tree branches sort of working into the design of the castle and, the dragon, to tie it all together. The harp follows the angles of the dragon as well. I am a one for designing with alot of angles to create a sense of unease. My initial sketch had a ton of problems in it, and, Irene Gallo, who's a joy to work with, said I could ramp up the dragon a bit more. Personally, I think dragons are missing from covers these days, and we need to see more. There had to be a sense of gloom to it with maybe a ray of light to show some kind of hope. And I left room for type. Again, this goes to my mental note each time I start a cover: "K.I.S.S.-Keep It Simple Stupid". Remember it as it works.posted by Bob Eggleton (Zillabob) | 6:07 PM
11 Comments:
Nice! You've managed to make each
layer work nicely, giving each its due and leading the eye right along.
Thanks! It was a fun piece to do,considering I had a paragraph to work from. But, I tried to do something that would make an effective "pop" with alot of shadows for drama.
Really nice, Bob. It has a strong "theatrical" vibe that I think works really well for the subject matter. Nice use of light and layering to really add dimension without getting too "busy".
I dig.
Hmmm, I don't find any sense of unease in the cover at all.
What I "see" is a person playing the harp, oblivious to all around him, & a dragon sunning himself & listening to the music. Even the sky has opened to hear the music.
Very nice!
John-thanks! Yeah, you know me. I love "cinematic". Hmm. I wonder why we get on so well!
Ces-thanks! That's a great way to see it!! When people find double meanings in art, like that, it's always cool. And you're right, it works that way too. I tried at least to be "cinematic" and go by the big picture. There was abit of editorial input into this-I had no book to go by and, editorial more or less told Irene Gallo what they wanted, and she gave me some instruction, and then some great leeway in regard to how the dragon is seen. There's an unsaid rumor around that "dragons are no longer in" on covers. truthfully,I can count on one hand how many times in the last year I have seen a cover with a dragon majorly depicted. Usually it's reduced to a tatoo(big on covers now!) or a shadow in the distance.
I agree with your point that dragons are no longer featured as much as they should be on book covers anymore, and I am honestly very pleased to have stumbled across your blog today, Mr. Eggleton! I've been a fan of your dragons for a long time now, my favorite easily being the miniature dragon Fanuilh, from Daniel Hood's wonderful series. I look forward to perusing your art here on the site, and I couldn't get off to a better start than with this beautiful piece right here! I also love Joanne Bertin's books, and have been waiting quite a while to read number three, so this is good news to me! ;)
so do you happen to know when she plans on being done with Bards Oath?
Wish I knew!
Fantastic News - I've been a fan of her's for years and I've searched the internet every few months for news. I cannot wait for this book, the previous two have been brilliant. The Last Dragonlord is in my top 3 favourite books of all time. Brilliant front cover btw.
Glad I know what to watch for visually as well as author and title. Have read the first 2 books several times in the past and just read them again. Glad to know the 3rd book is finally coming. Nice cover!
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