Meghan’s Dragon

Tags

book cover, Cover Art, Dragon, E.M. Foner, Fantasy Art, illustration, Keith Draws, Magic, medieval, medieval girl, Meghan's Dragon, Mort Drucker, Todd Lockwood

I’ve been working with E. M. Foner for a few years now.

He writes science fiction and Fantasy with a light comedic twist. In this case the cover for “Meghan’s Dragon” was to feature a young girl and her Dragon (who happens to also be extremely hungry all the time). And I have to indicate the humor found in the story.

Comedic illustration is never the easiest thing to do but when it’s done well it can be hilarious.

Mort Drucker

For me, there is nobody better at this than Mort Drucker (famous mainly for his work in Mad Magazine).

So when faced with this challenge I looked at what he does. And what he does is incredible, he sets up situations and then punctuates the joke using the characters facial expressions. I also looked at the Dragons created by Todd Lockwood, which are all pretty scary and used that as a direction to avoid!  So with that in mind, I set about working on ideas and after several roughs and some to and fro between the Author and I/we finally settled on this.

My indicator that it works is that my kids laugh at it and immediately make up stories about what’s going on… Mind you, They are both under 9 years old and they laugh at my jokes too, so maybe that’s not the best guide… Anyway…

It’s probably the first time ever that I’ve welcomed people laughing at my work! Maybe I’m dragoning this post out a bit so I’ll end it here.

Here’s where you can get this book: https://goo.gl/iuLvGb

And posters are available here: http://keithdraws.deviantart.com/gallery/

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“Battlecruiser Alamo-Stars in the Sand”

Tags

book cover, Cover Art, Cover design, golden ratio, illustration, Keith Draws, Richard Tongue, Sci Fi, science Fiction

The cover for “Battlecruiser Alamo-Stars in the Sand” by Richard Tongue.

BCA Stars in the Sand cover art ©Keith Draws

 

I’m always trying to go for an updated “Amazing Stories” type image with this work since I love that stuff so much.
Posters and high res here

Galileo’s Step Daughter by Amanda McCarter

Tags

Amanda McCarter, book cover, Cover Art, Cover design, design, Keith Draws, kindle, layout

This is the cover for “Galileo’s Step Daughter” by Amanda McCarter.

The first of a Trilogy for which I am producing all the covers.

Galileo’s Stepdaughter cover art ©Keith Draws

I’m using key elements and characters from the story.
The style is inspired somewhat by the work of Mucha.

Posters available here: http://fav.me/d7vt28o

“To The Death” by Jerrold Mundis

Tags

book cover, composition, Cover Art, Fantasy Art, Gladiator, golden ratio, Keith Draws, Rome

This is the cover for the collected stories of “Boris O’Hara” titled “To The Death” by Jerrold Mundis

To the Death cover art © Keith Draws

Prints and Posters available here.

After discussing the various elements involved in each story we initially tried a montage, but Jerrold decided he prefers to go for something with more action. Almost like a traditional pulp cover. 

It was quite a daunting subject and I spent a lot of time collecting reference. In my fictional coliseum I wanted to include some of the Roman Gods so in the background, you see Jupiter (King of the Gods) Mars (God of War) and Venus (God of love). I also felt it would need a great crowd bristling with excitement.

The battle is taking place in the late afternoon, the sun casting the long shadows and bright light slashes across the crowd, through the breaks in the canvas overhang.

The gladiators battle as the woman looks on, wondering if she will have to live with the grief of losing her love and remain a slave to the older warrior or if her lover can set her free.

You can learn more about Jerrold Mundis and his work here