Congratulations!!! Looks AWESOME! And I'm so impressed you did it all in 3 months. That's crazy fast.

Welcome, Heather. So glad you've rediscovered your calling. It must be if it makes you happy. I like your website, too. Looking forward to seeing more of your art journey on the forum.

Congrats to all winners--excellent and inspiring work! And congrats also to the runner-up artists, and to everyone that took the time and effort to submit. I saw many wonderful concepts and expressions of love. @Lee-White thank you for the added critique notes for the runner-up pieces--very helpful and will definitely try to improve mine.

@josegalue25 Not having read the book (yet), I read the synopsis on Amazon. My takeaways are that this knight is trapped in his armor, so the armor is rather important, and he's also on a journey of self-discovery, so the character is somewhat introspective. I think your sketches are interesting in that there's lots of clues as to what happens in the book. I also like the half armor covering his face, and his closed eye. My initial thought, though, is that the title and the author and perhaps also illustrator text needs to be given more space. My second thought is that I want to see more of the armor, since it's it's a significant element.

One idea that came to mind is the enlarge and bring the knight up to fill the cover more, and keep it dark like you have it your value thumbnail, so you have a strong read of the armor from a distance (your first read of the cover). Then adding the text within the armor itself, the chest/stomach area.

Then the other story details could then be placed around the armor, lighter, delicate (your second read of the cover once you pick it up from the shelf).

Loving the spine details, and the figures on the top and bottom of the spine!

@StudioLooong Snowy trees would look cool. Maybe the beard could start off as white from the top and then transform into red towards the bottom? Then the dwarfs would still be in a forest that could be spring or summer time? Just a thought.

Re: the title, I wasn't thinking of making it a title-less cover, just that I wondered if others could tell what story it was without the title. I actually never read the original story. I think I read a version for young kids in elementary school, and I didn't actually remember the dwarfs, so much as that Rip was lazy and drinking something that made him fall asleep. So for me (and I may probably be the 1% that thought this way), I couldn't place the story right away. I just thought it was a really cool image.

re: keeping the text minimal, I tend to agree. I love minimal covers with mostly image. And you have plenty of room in the beard area should an art director decide to add your name. OR, it could be added at the bottom of the cover, and the middle bush omitted.

Hi Taylor,

I love the juxtaposition of Rip's large bearded head above the partying dwarfs below. The energetic orange of his beard and the overall style pulls me in. So I'm guessing that this is Rip as a young man with his beard, then when he finally awakes, he'll have a white beard? Though I love the orange beard, Rip Van Winkle's grey or white beard feels more iconic. Question to consider: would people know it's the story of Rip Van Winkle without the title?

re: the dwarfs, I don't feel that they are drawn stiffly. But it will be interesting to see how they change with your revision.

re: the composition, you've got a great first, second, and third read with Rip's head, then the dwarfs, then the forest wildlife watching curiously. The humor is great!

re: font: The title font works for me, like the letters are getting worn at the edges. Wouldn't you also want to also place your name as illustrator somewhere?

re: genre: Would this book cover version be for a middle grade or chapter book? Or perhaps a picture book? Feels more MG or CB. I think the original story was for middle grade readers, but there have been multiple retellings from PB to MG.

Looking forward to seeing how your cover evolves.

I'd like to do a cover for The Giver, by Lois Lowry, a middle grade book. Is everyone familiar with that story? Just want to be sure since I had a surprising/bad experience at a recent conference where both an art director and a picture book author/illustrator didn't seem to recognize the story.

@Judy-Elizabeth-Wilson Your monsters make me so happy. Loving their cute silly expressions and shapes, and the vibrant colors, patterns and textures.

@demotlj I am so touched by your thoughtful and creative ideas, actions and words on behalf of all of us. Thank you so much.

Thanks again for organizing this for us, Laurie. If you need help, let me know.