I think I may have rounded a corner in my understanding of cover art. I'm still a huge novice, but a few days ago I finally came to understand that the font is more important than the image, and that it's okay to obstruct image with text. But how to create a cover without Photoshop? Not easy, and I'm still using Picasa. Tried to download Gimp, but my computer froze (which never happens!) and I'm afraid to try it again.
I'm excited about this last cover attempt because I think I may have finally come up with something better than the original. Of course a lot of that has to do with the fantastic image in the new version, and the poor quality of the artwork on the original cover. That poorly-drawn man with his skinny lips and swollen neck!
Original Penguin Putnam cover:
My cover design:
I love it -- you even have right look in the eye -- withholding as opposed to lecherous (as I see it, anyway!)
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe.
yes! there's a sensual vulnerability to the face that i really like. i always disliked the original cover. so sloppy. strange when you think it was done by the art department. i just don't get that kind of thing. how something by a pro can be so bad.
ReplyDeleteI think the cover you made is definitely an improvement. It draws me in much more. The other seems like it could blend in with other books next to it.
ReplyDeleteRayvenne, so true about blending. It def didn't stand out on the shelf.
ReplyDelete