Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "artist"
New Cover Illustrations!
To maintain continuity through the series, I've sadly decided to change cover illustrator. The artist responsible for the excellent, dark fantasy scene which most recently became the cover for book 1 was essentially too busy to commit to producing the covers within the right time period. I can see why he's in demand, I am very, very fond of the current cover
I have two contenders for the series, two artist's both of whose work I very much admire. One is Daniel Johnson of Squared Motion. His fantasy creatures are incredibly detailed and have real character. His proposal for a new cover I think is excellent (See Photo's section of The Last Dragon Slayer
The other artist in contention is my good friend, the Brazilian Artist, Isis Sousa Her characters are beautifully painted with emotive expression and a life-like quality. To me they really jump off the page, she gave me a sneak preview of a WIP recently and it was stunning.
So I'm really, really torn. It's definitely one or the other, both are incredible, both could bring a new vibrancy to the coming re-launch of books 1 and 2 and the fast approaching book 3. Time-scales will be a factor I think, I'm planning on having a big promotional push as soon as my new covers for 1 and 2 are created.
The question is, who to get to do them!?
I'm very, very torn on this.
You can see more of Daniel's work on his website and facebook page here:-
http://squaredmotion.com/
and here:-
https://www.facebook.com/SquaredMotion
You can see more of Isis Sousa's work on her webpage here:-
http://www.isissousadesigner.com/
And facebook page here:-
https://www.facebook.com/isissousa.2d
Any comments on would be the best artist for the job, along with 'why' would be appreciated. I love both of their work and an genuinely really torn.
Martyn
I have two contenders for the series, two artist's both of whose work I very much admire. One is Daniel Johnson of Squared Motion. His fantasy creatures are incredibly detailed and have real character. His proposal for a new cover I think is excellent (See Photo's section of The Last Dragon Slayer
The other artist in contention is my good friend, the Brazilian Artist, Isis Sousa Her characters are beautifully painted with emotive expression and a life-like quality. To me they really jump off the page, she gave me a sneak preview of a WIP recently and it was stunning.
So I'm really, really torn. It's definitely one or the other, both are incredible, both could bring a new vibrancy to the coming re-launch of books 1 and 2 and the fast approaching book 3. Time-scales will be a factor I think, I'm planning on having a big promotional push as soon as my new covers for 1 and 2 are created.
The question is, who to get to do them!?
I'm very, very torn on this.
You can see more of Daniel's work on his website and facebook page here:-
http://squaredmotion.com/
and here:-
https://www.facebook.com/SquaredMotion
You can see more of Isis Sousa's work on her webpage here:-
http://www.isissousadesigner.com/
And facebook page here:-
https://www.facebook.com/isissousa.2d
Any comments on would be the best artist for the job, along with 'why' would be appreciated. I love both of their work and an genuinely really torn.
Martyn
A Writer's Dilemma
Anyone who is an artist has to watch this and consider it. Whether you're a Bowie fan or not!
https://youtu.be/cNbnef_eXBM
I am certain, Bowie is right on both points he makes. However trying to live by this 'artist's code' can be difficult.
I really want people to like my books. I want people to read them and to enjoy the story. However I also want to write strong books, which evoke an emotional response.
I've experienced this reading The Pillars of the Earth, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and The Count of Monte Cristo.
If you want to write strong material, that will have emotional impact on your reader - you have to be prepared to upset them at times.
I'm currently working on book 5 of the Deathsworn Arc. I recently had an idea for a direction to take the story which would make the book much stronger and perhaps give my readers a really good punch in the gut. A theme of the book 5 is the unforeseen consequences of what happened in the first book being revealed. Namely by the girls journey to Briem and their adventures in Briem. The trouble is, I relaxed. I let the characters have things too easy I think. I didn't kill a character off in book 4, and I think that's a mistake. Nobody enjoys a flat, level roller-coaster with no twists or turns. That's called a train. It won't put a smile on your face or give you a sense of danger, or loss or heart-wrenching sorrow.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to go through with writing the story I THINK I should write. It means killing off three major characters in book 5, it means changing readers perceptions of characters they were maybe growing to like. It also means torture, pain, loss and a sense of hopelessness for some of the characters.
Then again, life isn't all sun and rainbows. We have to learn to cope with loss, pain and unfulfilled dreams. Then of course there's the writers secret weapon, the thing that will hold a reader with an iron grip and refuse to let them put that book down. I'm talking about the desire for comeuppance. Revenge, a villain getting their just deserts. You have to be careful not to drag the story on too long, but reader's find nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than reading about the sword of damocles finally falling upon the deserving.
I don't know if I'm bold enough to write the nightmare I'm considering in book 5. If I do, and it upsets my readers then I apologise, but I also promise to deliver a fitting demise to any villains involved! Eventually at least! :)
So what do you think? Do like it when the author gives you a little punch in the stomach? Is George R.R. Martin a genius? Gleefully killing of well-loved characters on a regular basis? Or do you prefer the kittens, sun and rainbows, Mary Sue and Gary Stu dance off into the sunset having magical adventures involving friendship and kisses stories?
https://youtu.be/cNbnef_eXBM
I am certain, Bowie is right on both points he makes. However trying to live by this 'artist's code' can be difficult.
I really want people to like my books. I want people to read them and to enjoy the story. However I also want to write strong books, which evoke an emotional response.
I've experienced this reading The Pillars of the Earth, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and The Count of Monte Cristo.
If you want to write strong material, that will have emotional impact on your reader - you have to be prepared to upset them at times.
I'm currently working on book 5 of the Deathsworn Arc. I recently had an idea for a direction to take the story which would make the book much stronger and perhaps give my readers a really good punch in the gut. A theme of the book 5 is the unforeseen consequences of what happened in the first book being revealed. Namely by the girls journey to Briem and their adventures in Briem. The trouble is, I relaxed. I let the characters have things too easy I think. I didn't kill a character off in book 4, and I think that's a mistake. Nobody enjoys a flat, level roller-coaster with no twists or turns. That's called a train. It won't put a smile on your face or give you a sense of danger, or loss or heart-wrenching sorrow.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to go through with writing the story I THINK I should write. It means killing off three major characters in book 5, it means changing readers perceptions of characters they were maybe growing to like. It also means torture, pain, loss and a sense of hopelessness for some of the characters.
Then again, life isn't all sun and rainbows. We have to learn to cope with loss, pain and unfulfilled dreams. Then of course there's the writers secret weapon, the thing that will hold a reader with an iron grip and refuse to let them put that book down. I'm talking about the desire for comeuppance. Revenge, a villain getting their just deserts. You have to be careful not to drag the story on too long, but reader's find nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than reading about the sword of damocles finally falling upon the deserving.
I don't know if I'm bold enough to write the nightmare I'm considering in book 5. If I do, and it upsets my readers then I apologise, but I also promise to deliver a fitting demise to any villains involved! Eventually at least! :)
So what do you think? Do like it when the author gives you a little punch in the stomach? Is George R.R. Martin a genius? Gleefully killing of well-loved characters on a regular basis? Or do you prefer the kittens, sun and rainbows, Mary Sue and Gary Stu dance off into the sunset having magical adventures involving friendship and kisses stories?
