Thursday, February 24, 2011

We are the Monsters Draft Cover


Thoughts?

25 comments:

Barry Napier said...

in best Chris Tucker voice: DAAAAAAYYYAAAAMMMMNNNN! That's nice!

Say, what is this project, anyway?

Daniel Powell said...

Really nice! I like the art and the composition of it--nice washed out colors...

Aaron Polson said...

Barry - A novella & stories. The novella formerly went by the name "How We Die in a Hungry Town".

Thanks, Daniel. I wanted to send a message of isolation...

Anthony Rapino said...

"I wanted to send a message of isolation..."

You did the job. This looks outstanding. It reminds me of Picasso's "The Old Guitarist." Very Cool.

Also, I really like the color scheme. That burnt umber/red lettering looks awesome over the background, as does the blue-greens of the figure.

brady said...

Love it. Sad and creepy and evocative.

Aaron Polson said...

Tony - I love "The Old Guitarist". Thanks!

Brady - Is it wrong I'm happy about "sad" and "creepy"?

Kara McElhinny said...

I really love the simplicity and the emotion evoked from the stark contrast of the isolated character and the dark surrounding.

Very nice. Very, very, nice!

brady said...

It would be wrong if you were going for happy cheerful funtimes.

Cate Gardner said...

I'm in love with the cover guy already. He looks like he needs a good hug. He looks as if he thinks something scary is about to hug him.

You're going to have no space left on your sidebar soon. :D

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Kara.

Brady - Never.

Cate - "He looks as if he thinks something scary is about to hug him" - Perfect. ;)

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Pretty wicked, man. Looks like my little brother.

Martin Rose said...

Nice lookin'.

Katey said...

Fabulous. Good comment about The Old Guitarist, too--the weird isolation of the blue period in general. Rad!

Alan W. Davidson said...

I like it...a kind of subdued creepiness. He seems a bit pensive.

Anonymous said...

Call me late to the party, but do you create your own cover art? Are you gifted in that way as well? I'm liking this one.

K.C. Shaw said...

Creepy and very cool. I like the composition.

Benjamin Solah said...

Very cool indeed. I how minimalist and straightforward it is.

Aaron Polson said...

Lee - Haha!

Thanks, Martin.

Appreciated, Katey.

Alan - He forgot to pay the heating bill and it's snowing again. ;)

Milo - Yes, I do...for my "indie/self-pubbed" stuff and most of the covers for Strange Publications.

Thanks, K.C.

Benjamin - I was going for minimalist. Nothing too busy for me.

K. Allen Wood said...

I'm not too keen on the embossed look of the font. I think it clashes with the image. Nor do I think the red color of the title fits. Too strong.

I think some more subtle tones, without that beveled/embossed look, would work better. Some shadow would work nicely as well, I think.

Looking forward to reading it, though. =)

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Ken. I knew something just wasn't "right". I do want the title to pop, but not at the expense of clashing with anything.

Unknown said...

Aside from thinking the brightness of the fonts should be increased ever-so-slightly, I think that is an g.d. fantastic cover.

Simon Kewin said...

I like it a lot. The skeleton (?) looks melancholic, a character one could sympathise with despite the gruesome appearance. Is that what you're aiming at?

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Artwork is gorgeous.. love the way you didn't clutter up the 'white space' at the top with words.
One suggestion: Red letters on black aren't the best choice for being seen. The eye sees red and black the same way so, at quick glance, there's a danger of not being able to see the title. Plus, if your book is reviewed in a black and white newspaper, your title, once converted to grayscale, will positively disappear. You could pick up the pale green of his knees for the words. Or you could outline the red letters with either the pale green (make sure it's pale or it'll look like Christmas) or white, in about a 2 point stroke. I'd lighten up your name, too. It's like you're trying to hide yourself the way it is now.

Fox Lee said...

That is a kick-ass cover! Very memorable/creepy.

Danielle Birch said...

Spectacularly creepy.