Book Cover Design: Illustrate Stories with Evocative Images

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Course overview

Provider
Domestika
Course type
Paid course
Level
Beginner
Deadline
Flexible
Duration
3 hours
Lessons
18 lessons
Certificate
Available on completion
Course author
Owen Gent

Book covers are the perfect bridge between our world and the one created within their pages. Artist and illustrator Owen Gent uses subtle, intimate, human imagery to create his covers using watercolors and Photoshop. He has worked with publishers including Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, and Vintage.

In this course, Owen guides you through the steps you need to create a meaningful book cover of your own using a variety of both digital and analog techniques. Delve into the world of book cover design and bring your favorite story to life through illustration.

Description

Learn how to distill the words of a book into a single image using watercolors, handmade textures, and Photoshop

Get to know Owen, how he pursued a career as an artist and illustrator, and the influences which have inspired his work, from folk music to poetry. Then, find out what you can expect from the course.

Discover the tools needed to create professional book cover designs. Explore how to break down information into a simple brief and learn techniques for creating a mood board to explore your initial ideas. Develop rough sketches using thumbnails, then begin using Photoshop to refine them. Understand the importance of sharing your initial sketches for feedback, then choose a design to develop into your final cover.

Learn how to transfer your design back to paper. Then, paint your finished illustrations in watercolor, starting with a loose wash and building up depth from light to dark. Once your painting is dry, scan it into Photoshop and learn how to create layers for editing.

Experiment with color using the Selective Color tool to bring your design to life. Then dive into Owen’s texture library and discover how different materials can be used to add dimension to your cover. To finish the course, Owen shares his tips and tricks for editing illustrations professionally.

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