a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wolf Guard Encroaching Dark by C.R. Paynton
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover? Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want to BUY the book? Discuss.
Love the artwork, but can't read the author name and I think overall the title is also a bit difficult to read. I understand not wanting to overlay the demon/winged monster too much, but perhaps switching the title and author position? Author on top, on one line. Title below where it can take up more room and be a bit larger. And perhaps in white, not black?
The title at the top could also stand a little bit more pop. The outline color is too close to the background, it needs to be shifted around on the color wheel.
I will agree with every about the text of the name you just can't read it. It's got to be bigger and jump out more. Maybe the name could also be move to the right side just below the wing.
I will say that the artwork is not as good as it could be. Those legs of the wolf like creatures seem way out of proportion. It just bugs me.
I am the artist that put the cover together for Mr. Paynton, I really appreciated reading your feedback, and learned a lot to put towards the next project. I agree with the authors name being lost in the troll bodies at the bottom it looked quite readable when view full screen and on the hard copy but all the thumbnail I have seen it disappears :'( .
Eric is right it should have been positioned under the wing at the bottom,
As for the legs in the painting, the creature isn't ment to be exactly human in proportion and has larger legs, some werewolf depictions will even have the reverse joint in the legs so there is a bit of playroom for different designs of these type of creatures.
as an illustrator, typography isn't my specialty, and I have so much to learn but recently I have been asked to do a lot more of it so I value your feed back greatly as you all seem to know a great deal about it and that's valuable when you really want the best for the book you re working on.
Clearly fantasy. Very traditional fantasy look. Too bad you can't make out the author name more easily, but I'd take a look at it.
ReplyDeleteLove the artwork, but can't read the author name and I think overall the title is also a bit difficult to read. I understand not wanting to overlay the demon/winged monster too much, but perhaps switching the title and author position? Author on top, on one line. Title below where it can take up more room and be a bit larger. And perhaps in white, not black?
ReplyDeleteThe title at the top could also stand a little bit more pop. The outline color is too close to the background, it needs to be shifted around on the color wheel.
ReplyDeleteI will agree with every about the text of the name you just can't read it. It's got to be bigger and jump out more. Maybe the name could also be move to the right side just below the wing.
I will say that the artwork is not as good as it could be. Those legs of the wolf like creatures seem way out of proportion. It just bugs me.
HI reviewers!, :-)
ReplyDeleteI am the artist that put the cover together for Mr. Paynton,
I really appreciated reading your feedback, and learned a lot to put towards the next project. I agree with the authors name being lost in the troll bodies at the bottom it looked quite readable when view full screen and on the hard copy but all the thumbnail I have seen it disappears :'( .
Eric is right it should have been positioned under the wing at the bottom,
As for the legs in the painting, the creature isn't ment to be exactly human in proportion and has larger legs, some werewolf depictions will even have the reverse joint in the legs so there is a bit of playroom for different designs of these type of creatures.
as an illustrator, typography isn't my specialty, and I have so much to learn but recently I have been asked to do a lot more of it so I value your feed back greatly as you all seem to know a great deal about it and that's valuable when you really want the best for the book you re working on.