No. Not really. Most of the work I’ve done has involved talking to the author about their ideas for what should be on the cover, the emotion it should convey (this is important), and then going back and forth with them until we both understand how the image will look. Sometimes this involves sketches. Other times it can be done with words alone. Every commission is different. Sometimes I do read relevant passages from the book that deal with whatever topic I’m illustrating.
Ah ha, interesting. Maybe I'd better try getting used to it too. Despite quite enjoying the apps I have, I always feel this funny little urge for something more, and I'm not sure what it is I'm looking for really. I'll give Procreate another go :D
Insanely bad ass brother. You’re so talented and being able to see your process is awesome. Thank you for letting us into that space.
Wow. That was fast. You must have been sitting in front of your app/inbox as soon as I hit publish. Thanks for the kind words. It was a lot of fun.
Sitting with insomnia watching a horror movie and the phone buzzed. I’m a simple man. My phone buzzes and like a Pavlov dog I salivate.
Do you feel you must read the book to get the ideas for making the art such a perfect match as this one seems to be?
No. Not really. Most of the work I’ve done has involved talking to the author about their ideas for what should be on the cover, the emotion it should convey (this is important), and then going back and forth with them until we both understand how the image will look. Sometimes this involves sketches. Other times it can be done with words alone. Every commission is different. Sometimes I do read relevant passages from the book that deal with whatever topic I’m illustrating.
Stunning work! I've tried Procreate a few times but I keep returning to either Infinite Painter or Artstudio Pro, which feel most intuitive to me.
I have both of those and I agree that they do feel more intuitive which I think comes from how they mimic Photoshop’s workflow… a little.
I used to flip back and forth between apps bit more and more I try to do as much as I can in Procreate.
They have really big upgrades planned for version 6 so I’m trying to force myself to get used to it before that’s released.
Ah ha, interesting. Maybe I'd better try getting used to it too. Despite quite enjoying the apps I have, I always feel this funny little urge for something more, and I'm not sure what it is I'm looking for really. I'll give Procreate another go :D
More and more I find myself simply returning to pencil and paper. Less features, no undo, but it’s easier to just focus on the drawing.
Nice breakdown and great work!
Very cool to see the process.
What a gorgeous result! Well done
John, thank you a thousand times over for bringing this cover to life! It was such a joy to work with you.
And if anyone is wondering whether they should reach out to John about a commission--DO IT!! Your vision is safe in his capable hands!!
Looks amazing!
Very cool light effects! And brilliant badge!
Thanks for sharing your process! I love seeing how other people do the work.
Really good work!
I liked the look at the process. Been thinking about cover design lately.
Very nice, very nice. I appreciate how you break down your process, noting the significance of each choice and the consequences they reveal
Great job!
Really great to see it from the other side!