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Rizen

(831 posts)
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:38 PM Feb 2

Book Cover Art v1.5 and 2

I'd like to thank everyone for your advice on my last thread. In case you missed it, I'm drawing cover art for a science fantasy book I wrote. The first image you'll see (A) is the one from my last thread but with several tweaks to up the contrast and make the character match the background more. The second is an alternative setting I might use instead. Which do you prefer?
A
/v1/fill/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/Refract%20Cover%20Test%20v2.jpg
or B?
/v1/fill/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/Refract%20Cover%20Test%20v2%20Brak%20Thaa.jpg

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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SheltieLover

(62,732 posts)
1. The top one has a more sinister feel to it.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:42 PM
Feb 2

But if in your story he is walking among those who are more normal without being noticed, then maybe the bottom one.

Not sure I'm conveying what I'm feeling...

BTW, congrats on finishing your book!

Think. Again.

(21,382 posts)
2. I like the first one better, I'm intrigued by what sort of place would have 'charged' rain like that....
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:44 PM
Feb 2

...or what event could cause such fallout.

The second piece doesn't tell me anything about the environment, but doesn't raise any questions about it either.

Donkees

(32,673 posts)
5. I prefer ''B'' especially the upper right background and the golden reflections you've added
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 06:58 AM
Feb 3

to the character's face and body. I'm not fond of the snowflakes especially the perfectly centered one near the top. They remind me more of the 'snowflake projectors' used at christmas, than nuclear winter. Keep focusing on where you are leading the viewer's eye around the page, and where it stops. Keep refining.

surrealAmerican

(11,561 posts)
7. How will your potential readers be seeing this cover?
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 11:31 AM
Feb 3

Will they be looking at it as a small "thumbnail"? ... or from a distance? ... as a physical object in a poorly lit space?


The answers to these questions matter more than how they look at full size on our screens.

Rizen

(831 posts)
8. Thanks for all the replies.
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 09:07 PM
Feb 3

It looks like people generally prefer A, which was surprising. I'm glad as that location plays a very important role in my story.

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