Original cover art for a novel

  • Status: Closed
  • Prêmio: $100
  • Inscrições Recebidas: 3
  • Vencedor: reyesonline

Síntese do concurso

I am looking for an original cover for a new series of fantasy novels. The first will be published as an e-book for free as an introduction to the series. So if successful may require more work in future.

Please check Keith Parkinson, who did the cover art for the Sword of Truth series. I like his art. At best use this for inspiration please do not copy the style exactly.

I am looking for something eye catching, that would stand out on a shelf, but original.

The lead character is a fit male. No bulging muscles. He is physically fit but would not stand out in a crowd. Pale, slightly tanned. Shortish brown hair and green eyes. Late twenties to early thirties but a fantasy combat veteran. Magic, swords, crossbows, etc.

My first image is of this man sitting on a boulder on a hill overlooking a grass valley. Down in the valley to opposing armies are facing each other in a sort of Mexican standoff where it looks like they are just waiting for the order to attack each other. Note they are not fighting yet. One of the armies is organised with shields and swords and polished armour while the opposing army are more a bunch of roughians. Knights vs Barbarians kind of thing. He is wearing some sort of formal high ranking military armour, but he has loosened some of the pieces carelessly so that he can breathe while he sits contemplating the scene below.

However feel free to experiment. If you would prefer to submit something completely original I have the luxury of being able to justify the cover by writing a related scene after, if I really like the cover.

According to what I could find on Amazon the recommended size for the cover is: 2,560px x 1,600px (1.6:1 aspect ratio). Remember the text needs to appear as well. So you can incorporate into the design and play with the text and font:
The Author will be listed as: Michael Kay
The novel is called: Trouble
The series is called: Grave Hysterics

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“Rias J is friendly and professional. Committed to the brief and gracious about requesting changes. I would definitely hire again. ”

Foto do perfil mike27772, South Africa.

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Painel de Comentários

  • tomaszmikutel
    tomaszmikutel
    • 3 anos atrás

    Thank you for this contest. Would you be so kind and advise why you did not like my entry (no 62). Your feedback will help me to improve in the future.

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. mike27772
      Proprietário do Concurso
      • 3 anos atrás

      Hi, I did in fact like it Tomas. It just didn't suite this specific project. It didn't have the Keith Parkinson influence I was hoping for this project specifically. Thank you.

      • 3 anos atrás
  • carilon
    carilon
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi! I see that you've provided a lot of information for the project, but I still have a few questions. You say that it's for adults, but can you be more specific like around 20-30 or 15-25 years....? 'Cause there's difference in the world perception between the late teens and the adults. Second - 4 main characters, but you want jiust one of them to be on the cover - the magician-warrior you've descriped, right? And for the style you shown as an example, well I don't think it stands out - it's a matter of taste - right, but from a possision of a fantasy reader-veteran ( :D ) I can say that it looks to me like 90% of mid-class fantasy literature cover. I got something in mind, but before I start working on it, I need you to give me some waypoins. Also - if you got any color scheme in mind - how you imagine the athmosphere in your world? Is it more cold or exotic?...

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. carilon
      carilon
      • 3 anos atrás

      If you've played any game simmilar to what you're looking for or a movie you can give me example with - please, share it. Thanks!

      • 3 anos atrás
  • mseven7fugutive
    mseven7fugutive
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi. Please tell me more about the book that you are writing. The storyline or the plot or the theme.

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. mike27772
      Proprietário do Concurso
      • 3 anos atrás

      Hi,
      I am not going to disclose too much about the novels themselves until confirmation of copywriter registration and the issue of the necessary intellectual property references.
      It is a book for adults set in a fantasy world. Magic and science exist side by side.
      Most of the world is run by old families much like feudal Europe.
      Many strange creatures exist, from dragons, to giants and more.
      The storyline itself revolves around the central theme of an unbreakable friendship between the 4 central core characters, and the challenges they face in early to mid adulthood.
      Please note there is no throwing of rings into volcanoes involved here.
      Regards ,
      Mike.

      • 3 anos atrás
  • TrixiePereira
    TrixiePereira
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi, I am currently working on my submission and am done with most of the artwork but I have a few questions that would be easier to ask now rather than after it is completed. Do both sides of the army have a colour scheme? So far I added blue-almost purple for the 'knights' side, so the main characters outfit is that colour but I can quickly change it to reflect what image you have in your mind. Also are the barbarian army similar to how the dotraki (from game of thrones) look? If you have detailed any of this in your book then I would appreciate being informed. Or even provide references.

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. mike27772
      Proprietário do Concurso
      • 3 anos atrás

      Hi,

      No specific colour themes yet for the army. I will consider something light, like a light blue or light greene.

      The ""barbarians"" in my mind are not like the Dothraki, not so wild. Perhaps more just like shabby knights. Less shabby and shiny that the organised knights. Think more Wildlings just not as cold if that makes any sense :)

      Mike.

      • 3 anos atrás
  • mike27772
    Proprietário do Concurso
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi Again,

    I am going to start rejecting some submissions that are not updating to try and cut down on the number of entries to review. If you feel you have made significant changes to a rejected image please resubmit it and i will consider it again. Thank you.

    Mike.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • mike27772
    Proprietário do Concurso
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi,

    I will not chose a winner until after the deadline.

    I will do the best checks I can for copied work and will request providence of various stages of the final product.

    If the novels are even slightly succesful, owning the copywrite on the artwork will be extremely important to me.

    Regards,

    Mike

    • 3 anos atrás
  • janrei
    janrei
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi Please don't end/choose until deadline. I'm still working on my entry. Thanks

    • 3 anos atrás
  • skkribbler
    skkribbler
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hey CH, If you want to haver authentic work just ask the contestants to add screenshots of their progress along with their submission. Just a suggestion.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • mike27772
    Proprietário do Concurso
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi. Please let me know if you suspect copied works. With specific details please. I will check as best i can and not award to a copied piece. Some common themes are coming up from my comments:

    1. Please check Keith Parkinson work to give an idea of the kind of art style i am looking for. Don''t copy.
    2. Don't be afraid to add a little colour!
    3. Imagine a bookshelf full of books. What is going to make someone look at your cover?

    Regards,

    Mike

    • 3 anos atrás
  • mike27772
    Proprietário do Concurso
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi. I will submit first round comments and ratings today. Please note I will adjust the ratings as changes are made.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • Eccaia
    Eccaia
    • 3 anos atrás

    It is difficult, it seems that there is no original work here, almost all of them are in image galleries on the Internet ...: / Too bad.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • reddmac
    reddmac
    • 3 anos atrás

    Mr/Ms CH, Are you ok with copied/stolen images from the net or u want an original illustration?

    • 3 anos atrás
  • giobanfi68
    giobanfi68
    • 3 anos atrás

    please #sealed thank you

    • 3 anos atrás
  • mike27772
    Proprietário do Concurso
    • 3 anos atrás

    Hi everyone. I will provide the first round of feedback on submissions received with 5 days remainng in the contest.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • prodesignerwin
    prodesignerwin
    • 3 anos atrás

    #15, #16

    • 3 anos atrás
  • spaceman3000
    spaceman3000
    • 3 anos atrás

    thank I see cover book me

    • 3 anos atrás
  • gfx309bot
    gfx309bot
    • 3 anos atrás

    even when you mentioned "original" people are still copy-pasting images from Google.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • AmnaBadar
    AmnaBadar
    • 3 anos atrás

    working on your project. hope you ll like my end result. will post in some time soon.

    • 3 anos atrás
  • Eccaia
    Eccaia
    • 3 anos atrás

    hi, can you write me? :D working on it!! thanks. :)

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. mike27772
      Proprietário do Concurso
      • 3 anos atrás

      Hi. Thank you for working on my request. Do you have specific questions I can try and help you with?

      • 3 anos atrás
  • faysalurana
    faysalurana
    • 3 anos atrás

    I Need Some information for start this work... can we discuess?

    • 3 anos atrás
    1. mike27772
      Proprietário do Concurso
      • 3 anos atrás

      Hi. Sure. Do you have specific questions? I will answer as best I can.

      • 3 anos atrás

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