New Kid Bookcover idea- successful or no?

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

Hi friends,

Is it ok to create a new post featuring a new piece of art? Or should I post in my last thread? I'd love to know what the etiquette is around here.

For the prompt "New" I created this fake bookcover about a chronic new kid. The focus is middle grade. I was playing with the idea of an action figure breaking out of the box and wanted to try this in a painted paper cut style. After photographing it I went in and did some digital tweaks. Do you think this style works for bookcovers? It was a ton of work to make. I'm questioning if I should stick with the paper cut because it is very fun to do- very much a technical challenge which I enjoy- or if I should just go with my basic watercolor style? I've also been making books digitally for the last year. I am just confused about what would be best. I'd love any feedback. Thanks!

closeup

The value and color sketch

[MarcRobinson]

@Jeanne-M-Bowman I really love how creative this cover design is mate. I can definitely see it working as a real book cover. From what I've heard you're struggling with picking a new direction with your art? I'm in no position to advise you on what to do, but maybe send a question over to the guys on the podcast? Their wisdom is sure to help.

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@MarcRobinson Thanks Marc! Is there a specific way you can get on the podcast like a special email or something? I have been thinking of signing up for a 6 month mentorship over at the Illustration Department, but it is like a $1k investment and I am still not totally sure if I want to do that. So getting feedback from the SVS team would be amazing- I didn't know it was an option!

[Jeremy Ross]

Very creative @Jeanne-M-Bowman ! This looks really cool! You might want to try and do a mockup cover to see how it looks. You might need to make the book the box itself and just have the front of the box be the cover.

Just a thought.

Regarding style, why not try to make it in both styles and see which you prefer?

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@Jeremy-Ross

Oh, great idea about making a mockup cover! I also think it is smart to do it in both styles, however I did that once for another image (between watercolor and digital, see below) and I couldn't decide in the end. How did you decide on your style?

Here is an example of where I tried two styles for the same image:
This is the watercolor version

This is the digital version

I feel like each one has pros and cons and I just can't make up my mind about it. I got mixed responses as well when I showed these to other people with it being pretty much 50/50 over who liked the digital and who liked the watercolor. Is there a process you go through to decide what style will work best for you?

[Larue]

Hi there, I think this looks really cool with the 3-d effects but for me, I went back and looked at your art on your website and I think some of your pieces are really beautiful. I work in watercolor too and use photoshop to clean up or make lil tweaks. I do make digital art but still haven’t gotten my watercolor style to transfer over well, at least not in my opinion. I certainly don’t think it hurts to have the two styles as long as you are as comfortable and confident in using this new style. At this point for me, when I’m asked to create 100% digitally it takes me much longer than watercolor and have to take that into account when bidding out a job.

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@Larue Thanks so much! Transferring watercolor into digital was tricky for me too. I finally found a system that I liked that is based on Adilson Faria's work here: https://www.youtube.com/@adilsonfarias He has a class you can take on hotmart that teaches you some great tricks. Also using watercolor texture overlays is very helpful, as is using the Kyle Watercolor brush pack from adobe. It isn't quite the same as true watercolor, but with a lot of fussing you can get a decent result.

But I agree, it is nice to be able to switch and have some variety in styles so I don't get bored. I just find it hard to pitch to illustration clients because I feel like my work is all over the heckin place. I keep reading about people who "find" their styles but for me it has always felt like I need to make a concrete decision- nothing feels like the holy grail and it is leaving me a little confused and frustrated. I'm reluctant to make tons of new work in case it isn't the thing Art Directors want to see. My dream would be to find something totally unique to me, but I've been doing this for over a decade now and nothing feels original in that way. It is a head scratcher, for sure!

[Jeremy Ross]

Hi @Jeanne-M-Bowman , both are very nice; however, I must admit I like your watercolor piece slightly more.

To the untrained artist, they wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart, which is why you probably received an equal 50/50 for your survey results.

I heard on a podcast recently that traditional art (e.g., watercolor., etc.) is having a resurgence, which you might be able to leverage based on your style.

[Nxndraw]

Hey, just wanted to say I do like your watercolor style a bit more but I don't the difference is huge.

I don't think you necessarily have to choose one or another. I know that a lot of illustrators do both, digital and traditional.

From a practical perspective, the advantage of having traditional work is that you can sell the originals. However, digital often tends to be faster. I think you have to weigh out what takes more time, what you enjoy more, and what is more financially viable.

[MarcRobinson]

@Jeanne-M-Bowman from what I remember there is a form you can fill in on the svs website. If you click on the Podcast section, then onto any episode, there should be a button called "ask a question". It may take a few weeks for it to make it onto the podcast.

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@Jeremy-Ross Thanks so much, Jeremy! I agree that traditional art is probably going to have a bit of a renaissance, since we have AI images now to contend with. That is partly why I am swinging back towards incorporating paper cut- to make it clear that this was made by hand. I love the handmade look and I want it to be evident, but I also need to to be unique to me. That is the bit I am struggling with. I can't see my own style. How did you get into the style you are using now?

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@MarcRobinson Thank you Marc! I really appreciate the direction! I am going to look into this!

[Reb Erlik]

@Jeanne-M-Bowman This cover rocks! Great concept and colors. I would have picked this up if i saw it in the library as a kid. Good contender for a portfolio piece.

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@reberlik Thanks so much! I am glad to know it is working!

[Reb Erlik]

@Jeanne-M-Bowman Ahh, I love this monster design!!! It's like a Maurice Sendak wild thing. What's the folklore/story here?

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@reberlik Thank you! I love Maurice Sendak! This is just a random troll I designed. A couple of years ago I wanted to challenge myself so I did 30 troll drawings in rural settings. My plan was to then color 25 of them. I only got three finished, unfortunately, but if I ever get some free time I want to go back and finish them up. You can find them on my instagram if you are interested in looking at the other ones. This one is loosely based on Krampus (and inspired by Inosuke's eyes from Demon Slayer).

[makekong]

@Jeanne-M-Bowman you can even use the photograph as the cover image. I can tell you for sure this calls attention in any bookstand. Years ago I found a comic in a store just because of this. From all the comics in there this one looked like a toy and I didnt knew why but something about it was so different and when I grabbed it I realized is just a comic

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@Nxndraw Thanks so much! Can you pinpoint why you like the watercolor style more? I agree that having the original is a big boost, especially now that AI images are happening. It is a tough decision to make that I have been struggling with for years!

[Jeanne.M.Bowman]

@makekong Thanks! I'm glad to know it stands out!