BACKGROUND
For this illustration assignment I had to take an existing book and re-illustrate the cover. I chose to illustrate the book Safe Haven written by Nicholas Sparks. When looking at the original cover, I wanted to keep the following elements present: bright color scheme, vintage/nostalgic feel, bicycle element, and flowers present somewhere. Overall, I wanted the cover to look warm and inviting, but also have a slightly distressed element to it.
The bike has a Ferris wheel in the front wheel and there is also a very light, hand-written letter in the background. The bike, Ferris wheel, and letter all represent different moments within the plot of the book, but I don't want to spoil any of the story for those who have not read it. Below you will see my rough sketch, the final piece, and then a hand lettered title overlay. There is also a second version I created to try out my own title and to see what it would look like mocked up as a real book.
The bike has a Ferris wheel in the front wheel and there is also a very light, hand-written letter in the background. The bike, Ferris wheel, and letter all represent different moments within the plot of the book, but I don't want to spoil any of the story for those who have not read it. Below you will see my rough sketch, the final piece, and then a hand lettered title overlay. There is also a second version I created to try out my own title and to see what it would look like mocked up as a real book.
MATERIALS
I used graphite, Prisma colored pencils, and watercolors to achieve the final result. Then I used some tracing paper to create the title and author overlay in order to avoid drawing directly on the cover illustration. This illustration was created on watercolor paper as well.
Rough Sketch
Final Illustration
Tracing paper overlay of the title treatment and author's name.
Alternate Version
This is another version I created to try out my own title name and I also wanted to see what it would look like mocked up as an actual book cover.
Thanks for viewing!
