Claudette Melanson's Blog - Posts Tagged "cover-art"
Illustrator Interview–20 Questions with Daniel Chon
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family
My family and I live in Monterey, California. I have a super charged five year old daughter named Olivia and an amazingly supportive wife named Annie. As for myself, I work as a freelance art director and illustrator with an overly active imagination and need for challenge.
Did you always want to be an artist?
Ever since my cousin taught me how to draw a swan out of a number two, I’ve always loved to draw. I can’t say that I’ve always wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be a superhero when I was a kid, but always settled for telling stories through pictures. I owe the discovery of being an artist to my high school art teacher, Mrs. Weigel. She encouraged me to focus my passion for drawing into making it a career.
What inspires you?
Music and seeing how other artists and movie directors think. There’s something about watching how creativity inspires others that can be contagious. Listening to music (mostly without lyrics) can transport you through your imagination to all sorts of cool and interesting destinations if you just let the tempo carry you like a current.
What are your favorite things to draw?
I’ve always played at drawing my own comic some day. Drawing my own characters, plotting out scenes on scraps of paper. It’s always been a pet project of mine that I’ve had on my bucket list of things to accomplish. Who knows, maybe someday?
What inspired your cover for Rising Tide: Dark Innocence?
I knew that I wanted it to look intriguing. I wanted it to fit the novel. Playing off the heroine’s innocence and the darkness that surrounds her. But most of all I wanted her to feel like an apparition that you could not easily dismiss once you looked at her.
How long did it take you to create the book’s cover?
That cover… oh boy. It went through a lot of rounds of play. I can’t remember how long to be honest, but I can tell you it was a really fun puzzle to figure out.
What projects are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working on a freelance gig, doing commissions and also working out stray ideas for my own “pet” projects. It’s a lot but it keeps me out of trouble.
Will you be designing more covers for other authors?
Good question. Do you know any authors who are looking for an illustrator?
Do you have any ideas for the cover of Claudette Melanson’s next book, Undertow?
I’ve got a few ideas that I’m keeping close to the chest. We’ll both have to see the next book to see how it turns out. Haha!
What’s your favorite aspect of the cover you designed for Rising Tide?
Wow. That’s actually a tough question because there are elements I like for different reasons. Honestly, I think if I were truthful with myself…I would have to say that the visuals are not overly complicated. I think it says all that it needs to hopefully coax a reader into asking questions about what the book is about.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists reading this?
I’d say that for everyone (me most of all)…humility and a healthy fear are the two greatest tools any artist can have. Humility in that we’ve always got to a lot to learn. And a healthy fear, that if we’re not pushing our abilities enough, we won’t grow to be better. Talent only takes us part of the way. It’s the effort and willingness to put ourselves out there (win or lose) that officially tells us…you’ve started the journey.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not creating art?
I really enjoy watching speed drawing videos on YouTube (art nerd I know), watching movies and playing with my daughter. But truthfully, you’ll have a pretty hard time getting me without a pencil or stylus in my hand.
What’s your favorite drawing you’ve ever created?
I would have to say, a quick pencil sketch of my daughter Olivia. It might not mean that much to someone else. But it means the world to me.
How do you know Claudette?
Claudette and I have been friends for quite a while. We met over a website forum a few years ago and have been pen pals ever since.
What are some things you hope to accomplish from this novel’s cover design?
I think my intent was pretty basic. I hoped to demonstrate through visuals that the novel doesn’t mess around. That by treating the content with respect and attention to detail it represents the author’s heart and soul in this story.
How do you come up with the ideas for your artwork?
Drawing. Sketching. Note taking. Repeat.
Would you like to design more book covers for other authors in the future and if so, what kind of covers do you hope to illustrate?
If I had an opportunity presented again, absolutely. I’m a big fan of science fiction, so maybe having a go at that genre would be fun. I’ve received some really great feedback from people who’ve seen the “Rising Tide” cover and appreciated it. I can’t express how thankful I am to them for that. It’s definitely one of my top ten feelings.
What would your dream job be?
Ever since I was in high school I’ve always thought it would be cool to be a comic book illustrator but I’m also holding out for being a superhero too.
Do you read? If so, what are your favorite kinds of books?
I do! I read a lot of books on art, but I also really like super natural thrillers and science fiction.
What are you most passionate about?
Not to take a motto away from the army but being the best artist, dad and husband I can be.
Would you like to commission Daniel for your own project? You can find him here!
What a wonderful experience to work with Daniel! He's timely, creates beautiful work, listens to the ideas of those he works with and his one-of-a-kind designs are affordable with competitive pricing. I would recommend this talented illustrator to anyone! - Claudette Melanson, Author of Rising Tide
My family and I live in Monterey, California. I have a super charged five year old daughter named Olivia and an amazingly supportive wife named Annie. As for myself, I work as a freelance art director and illustrator with an overly active imagination and need for challenge.
Did you always want to be an artist?
Ever since my cousin taught me how to draw a swan out of a number two, I’ve always loved to draw. I can’t say that I’ve always wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be a superhero when I was a kid, but always settled for telling stories through pictures. I owe the discovery of being an artist to my high school art teacher, Mrs. Weigel. She encouraged me to focus my passion for drawing into making it a career.
What inspires you?
Music and seeing how other artists and movie directors think. There’s something about watching how creativity inspires others that can be contagious. Listening to music (mostly without lyrics) can transport you through your imagination to all sorts of cool and interesting destinations if you just let the tempo carry you like a current.
What are your favorite things to draw?
I’ve always played at drawing my own comic some day. Drawing my own characters, plotting out scenes on scraps of paper. It’s always been a pet project of mine that I’ve had on my bucket list of things to accomplish. Who knows, maybe someday?
What inspired your cover for Rising Tide: Dark Innocence?
I knew that I wanted it to look intriguing. I wanted it to fit the novel. Playing off the heroine’s innocence and the darkness that surrounds her. But most of all I wanted her to feel like an apparition that you could not easily dismiss once you looked at her.
How long did it take you to create the book’s cover?
That cover… oh boy. It went through a lot of rounds of play. I can’t remember how long to be honest, but I can tell you it was a really fun puzzle to figure out.
What projects are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working on a freelance gig, doing commissions and also working out stray ideas for my own “pet” projects. It’s a lot but it keeps me out of trouble.
Will you be designing more covers for other authors?
Good question. Do you know any authors who are looking for an illustrator?
Do you have any ideas for the cover of Claudette Melanson’s next book, Undertow?
I’ve got a few ideas that I’m keeping close to the chest. We’ll both have to see the next book to see how it turns out. Haha!
What’s your favorite aspect of the cover you designed for Rising Tide?
Wow. That’s actually a tough question because there are elements I like for different reasons. Honestly, I think if I were truthful with myself…I would have to say that the visuals are not overly complicated. I think it says all that it needs to hopefully coax a reader into asking questions about what the book is about.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists reading this?
I’d say that for everyone (me most of all)…humility and a healthy fear are the two greatest tools any artist can have. Humility in that we’ve always got to a lot to learn. And a healthy fear, that if we’re not pushing our abilities enough, we won’t grow to be better. Talent only takes us part of the way. It’s the effort and willingness to put ourselves out there (win or lose) that officially tells us…you’ve started the journey.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not creating art?
I really enjoy watching speed drawing videos on YouTube (art nerd I know), watching movies and playing with my daughter. But truthfully, you’ll have a pretty hard time getting me without a pencil or stylus in my hand.
What’s your favorite drawing you’ve ever created?
I would have to say, a quick pencil sketch of my daughter Olivia. It might not mean that much to someone else. But it means the world to me.
How do you know Claudette?
Claudette and I have been friends for quite a while. We met over a website forum a few years ago and have been pen pals ever since.
What are some things you hope to accomplish from this novel’s cover design?
I think my intent was pretty basic. I hoped to demonstrate through visuals that the novel doesn’t mess around. That by treating the content with respect and attention to detail it represents the author’s heart and soul in this story.
How do you come up with the ideas for your artwork?
Drawing. Sketching. Note taking. Repeat.
Would you like to design more book covers for other authors in the future and if so, what kind of covers do you hope to illustrate?
If I had an opportunity presented again, absolutely. I’m a big fan of science fiction, so maybe having a go at that genre would be fun. I’ve received some really great feedback from people who’ve seen the “Rising Tide” cover and appreciated it. I can’t express how thankful I am to them for that. It’s definitely one of my top ten feelings.
What would your dream job be?
Ever since I was in high school I’ve always thought it would be cool to be a comic book illustrator but I’m also holding out for being a superhero too.
Do you read? If so, what are your favorite kinds of books?
I do! I read a lot of books on art, but I also really like super natural thrillers and science fiction.
What are you most passionate about?
Not to take a motto away from the army but being the best artist, dad and husband I can be.
Would you like to commission Daniel for your own project? You can find him here!
What a wonderful experience to work with Daniel! He's timely, creates beautiful work, listens to the ideas of those he works with and his one-of-a-kind designs are affordable with competitive pricing. I would recommend this talented illustrator to anyone! - Claudette Melanson, Author of Rising Tide
Getting to Know Rachel Montreuil - Undertow's Cover Creator
Meet Rachel Montreuil - Cover Designer Extroidinaire!
Interview Questions Rachel Montreuil
1. What would you like to do when you ‘grow up?’
There are many artistic positions that interest me (3d, texture, animation, illustration, concept art, comic book art...). My current "actual" job is in 3d art, which I enjoy a lot, so I just hope to keep going this route, potentially specializing in character modeling.
2. What was your inspiration for the cover of Undertow?
I had some nice reference pictures sent to me by the author so it was easy to grasp what kind of scene Claudette was looking for. I can't think of any thing that was particularly inspirational... I just tried my best to convey a dark, emotional mood through light and color.
3. What do you like best about the Undertow cover?
Even though people say "don't judge a book by its cover", a cover is almost always the a potential reader sees, so it must be designed to attract and pique its target audience's curiosity. I like to think that I have successfully painted a cover image that is readable and interesting to look at, so that people will choose to go in and experience the book and all the work that was put into its pages!
On a side note, for the image itself, I think the "best part" is the highlight on the neck and chin (lol).
4. Have you always had an interest in art and when did you start creating your own?
Yes, I've been drawing pretty much ever since I was able to hold a pencil/crayon in my hand. As a kid, I would design my own characters and draw short comics. I also got very into digital art at a young age (going from MS Paint to oekaki and then to Photoshop).
5. What are your biggest sources of inspiration?
Inspiration can seriously come from anywhere, from any media or from everyday life. It's generally good to keep an eye out for interesting images online, be it pictures, drawings, paintings, etc. since it's so easy to save a bunch of them and browse through them when needed.
6. What kind of projects do you hope to be working on in the future?
The more variety the better. I definitely want to keep working on games, and also illustration-related side projects like this one. I want to become a better, more versatile artist, and touching all sorts of types of projects is simply the best thing!
7. Would you like to design other book covers? If so, what would be some of your favorite genres to work in?
Yes, I love all illustration work. I love painting scenes and characters. I guess I have a preference for dark fantasy or modern settings, but I don't dislike sci-fi, western, nor cartoon.
8. Who is your favorite artist and why?
It's very tough to choose just one. There are tons of great character designers, painters, directors, and I don't think I have just one favorite... As a manga fan, Yana Toboso (author of Kuroshitsuji) comes to mind, with her art style filled with highly detailed clothing and gorgeous characters. I also adore Shinbou Akiyuki's work as a director on his various anime projects at Shaft Studio (very artsy and experimental). Lastly, I must say I very much enjoy Tim Burton's gothic yet cartoonish style he uses in most of his movies.
9. Who is your favorite author and what kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I tend to read a whole lot of manga and Japanese light novels, from horror psychological thrillers to shoujo manga. Some of my favorites include Ono Fuyumi's Shiki, Julietta Suzuki's Kamisama Hajimemashita, Obata/Ohba's Death Note (of course) and NisiOisin's Monogatari series. I also like classic English and French literature, but I don't read them regularly.
10. Give us a top ten list of your very favorite things
1. Drawing/painting
2. Anime & manga
3. Animals (My top 5: cats, jellyfish, crabs, goats, pigeons)
4. Gothic Lolita and cyber goth fashion
5. Visual Kei/J-Rock music ( and are my favorite bands!)
6. 3d art/video game art
7. Pirates
8. Green tea & jasmine tea
9. Foreign languages/cultures
10. Swimming
11. Tell us a bit about your background.
After high school, I got into a general arts program (mostly centered on traditional drawing and painting). I learned a lot of very useful things there, but my passion lies closer to entertainment art, like video games, TV shows, movies, books, etc. I switched programs after a year and tried my hand at 3d animation instead, which turned out to be a very fun - and challenging - medium to work with. Since graduation, I've had the pleasure of working for TV as well as games companies, and do some freelance both as a 3d artist and as an illustrator.
12. What is your professional statement, or philosophy, about the projects you work on?
I want to be fair and honest about work-related projects. I hope to always deliver quality work and respect the pre-established deadlines.
13. Where can others find you to commission you for projects like book covers or other artistic projects?
People can browse some of my work on my blog http://rachelmontreuil.blogspot.ca/ and simply email me for freelance/commissions at rachel.montreuil01@gmail.com
Interview Questions Rachel Montreuil
1. What would you like to do when you ‘grow up?’
There are many artistic positions that interest me (3d, texture, animation, illustration, concept art, comic book art...). My current "actual" job is in 3d art, which I enjoy a lot, so I just hope to keep going this route, potentially specializing in character modeling.
2. What was your inspiration for the cover of Undertow?
I had some nice reference pictures sent to me by the author so it was easy to grasp what kind of scene Claudette was looking for. I can't think of any thing that was particularly inspirational... I just tried my best to convey a dark, emotional mood through light and color.
3. What do you like best about the Undertow cover?
Even though people say "don't judge a book by its cover", a cover is almost always the a potential reader sees, so it must be designed to attract and pique its target audience's curiosity. I like to think that I have successfully painted a cover image that is readable and interesting to look at, so that people will choose to go in and experience the book and all the work that was put into its pages!
On a side note, for the image itself, I think the "best part" is the highlight on the neck and chin (lol).
4. Have you always had an interest in art and when did you start creating your own?
Yes, I've been drawing pretty much ever since I was able to hold a pencil/crayon in my hand. As a kid, I would design my own characters and draw short comics. I also got very into digital art at a young age (going from MS Paint to oekaki and then to Photoshop).
5. What are your biggest sources of inspiration?
Inspiration can seriously come from anywhere, from any media or from everyday life. It's generally good to keep an eye out for interesting images online, be it pictures, drawings, paintings, etc. since it's so easy to save a bunch of them and browse through them when needed.
6. What kind of projects do you hope to be working on in the future?
The more variety the better. I definitely want to keep working on games, and also illustration-related side projects like this one. I want to become a better, more versatile artist, and touching all sorts of types of projects is simply the best thing!
7. Would you like to design other book covers? If so, what would be some of your favorite genres to work in?
Yes, I love all illustration work. I love painting scenes and characters. I guess I have a preference for dark fantasy or modern settings, but I don't dislike sci-fi, western, nor cartoon.
8. Who is your favorite artist and why?
It's very tough to choose just one. There are tons of great character designers, painters, directors, and I don't think I have just one favorite... As a manga fan, Yana Toboso (author of Kuroshitsuji) comes to mind, with her art style filled with highly detailed clothing and gorgeous characters. I also adore Shinbou Akiyuki's work as a director on his various anime projects at Shaft Studio (very artsy and experimental). Lastly, I must say I very much enjoy Tim Burton's gothic yet cartoonish style he uses in most of his movies.
9. Who is your favorite author and what kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I tend to read a whole lot of manga and Japanese light novels, from horror psychological thrillers to shoujo manga. Some of my favorites include Ono Fuyumi's Shiki, Julietta Suzuki's Kamisama Hajimemashita, Obata/Ohba's Death Note (of course) and NisiOisin's Monogatari series. I also like classic English and French literature, but I don't read them regularly.
10. Give us a top ten list of your very favorite things
1. Drawing/painting
2. Anime & manga
3. Animals (My top 5: cats, jellyfish, crabs, goats, pigeons)
4. Gothic Lolita and cyber goth fashion
5. Visual Kei/J-Rock music ( and are my favorite bands!)
6. 3d art/video game art
7. Pirates
8. Green tea & jasmine tea
9. Foreign languages/cultures
10. Swimming
11. Tell us a bit about your background.
After high school, I got into a general arts program (mostly centered on traditional drawing and painting). I learned a lot of very useful things there, but my passion lies closer to entertainment art, like video games, TV shows, movies, books, etc. I switched programs after a year and tried my hand at 3d animation instead, which turned out to be a very fun - and challenging - medium to work with. Since graduation, I've had the pleasure of working for TV as well as games companies, and do some freelance both as a 3d artist and as an illustrator.
12. What is your professional statement, or philosophy, about the projects you work on?
I want to be fair and honest about work-related projects. I hope to always deliver quality work and respect the pre-established deadlines.
13. Where can others find you to commission you for projects like book covers or other artistic projects?
People can browse some of my work on my blog http://rachelmontreuil.blogspot.ca/ and simply email me for freelance/commissions at rachel.montreuil01@gmail.com
