Sunday, February 8, 2015

Playing Around with Design


Sometimes, despite the fact that I really don't have any spare time to my name, I like to goof off. And one of my favorite pastimes is to fool around with art and design! As many of you know, I studied illustration back in my college days, and while I don't get to dabble in that side of my creativity nearly as much as I would like to, it comes out in little bursts here and there.

For instance, around 10:00 at night the other evening (I was already tucked into bed and reading a novel, trying to soothe myself to sleep) I got struck with an idea for a cover design for Heartless.

Random, I know.

Anyway, I hopped up, pulled out my computer, and . . . thought you might like to see the results!

stock model by faestock
 Kind of fun, right?

(And no, this is not a serious project, nor will Heartless be receiving any cover change anytime in the near future. This was nothing more than me playing when I should have been sleeping.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed seeing that. Perhaps it will inspire you for the upcoming Fan Art Contest . . . which will be announced very soon now!

15 comments:

Jenelle Leanne said...

That is gorgeous! I am so jealous (but in a, "Whoo hoo, that's awesome!" sort of way) of authors who are also artistic!

Hannah said...

Awesome! Always so much fun. And I can't wait for the art contest!

Mackenzie A. Lockhart said...

Beautiful! Although if you ever do decide to re-print with new covers I would feel obliged to buy all the books again :P Your coverart is always so gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Wow that's awesome! Really cool! :)

Tracey Dyck said...

Wow. And that was just "playing"?? That's amazing! I love it! It brings out a different side of the story than the original cover (which is also gorgeous). This one is darker, and the girl on fire is sooo intriguing. :)
Can't wait for the Fan Art Contest! I hope I have time/an idea for at least one entry...

Shantelle Mary said...

Lovely!! Really captures the theme of Heartless, I think! :)

How fun, :) Echoing Jenelle, I too wish that I was artistic!! Haha, :)

ghost ryter said...

Gorgeous! The cover "Heartless" wears in real-life is my second favorite of the entire series, but I'd actually love to see it with this!

Anonymous said...

I love the cover that Heartless already has, but this one is gorgeous, too. You're so talented!

Anonymous said...

Excited for the art contest! This time I am going to paint them.

Caitlyn

Anne Elisabeth Stengl said...

I have to admit, I feel a series of covers more in this style might appeal more to my male audience. I have trouble snagging male readers with the current cover images (other than DRAGONWITCH and GODDESS TITHE), though the gentlemen who do pick them up tend to enjoy them just as much as the ladies do.

Something I'll have to think about in years to come. But, as I said, there are NO PLANS whatsoever for the series to see any cover design changes anytime in the near future.

Thank you for all the lovely comments, everyone! You made my day. :)

Sarah Bailey said...

I wish I had more time for art. I was able to do five detailed, hand drawn pieces for myou book giveaway, but it's burned me out for art for awhile.

I look forward to the art contest!

Sarah Bailey said...

I wish I had more time for art. I was able to do five detailed, hand drawn pieces for myou book giveaway, but it's burned me out for art for awhile.

I look forward to the art contest!

Kira Thomas said...

This is fantastic. :D You made this at 10:00? Your brain works far better at late hours than mine.

The Artist Librarian said...

I can see your point Anne --I love the current covers, but some of them do have a more "fairy tale adaptation" look while this cover has a more general "fantasy" novel look.

Tracey Dyck said...

By the way, I showed my brother this cover, and he thinks the best way to attract more male readers is to feature male characters on the cover (like DRAVEN'S LIGHT). An example he gave was the series AURALIA'S COLORS by Jeffrey Overstreet. It was the third book's cover, RAVEN'S LADDER, that got him interested, because it had an epic warrior dude on the cover. :) So that's one guy's opinion for you. Do with it as you please!