Book cover designs... Which one?

[Kim Rosenlof]

@kirsten-mcg I haven't read this book (I have only read the first two in the Narnia series), so I am not sure of the story. I like 1, 3, and 4 for different reasons. I like number one because of the mouth (teeth at top, at least I think those are teeth) and the close-up of the middle character. The mouth makes me want to know what is going on. I would move the middle character closer so that you aren't cutting off his feet; maybe cut him at the waist instead. I like the clouds in number 3 and how the boat peeks out and the text would fit well between everything. Number 4 is the only non-central composition so that is nice. It might be nice to see some part of a sail too. Is the mouse a central character and more important than the humans, or just as important in the story?

[MiaNova]

@kirsten-mcg love the environment of 3 but 4 is also really good

[Asyas_illos]

2 and 3 are my favorites, I like the second over the first as it feels less crowded. 3 has a nice composition too.

[kirsten-mcg]

@Kim-Rosenlof Thanks for your input! The mouse is a central character, but not the main character, so it might be a little odd to have him the only one pictured large on the front cover. He's most people's favorite character though!

[Blitz55]

I like #3
I kind of like it when the characters are not front and center and it's more about the mood and location.

[kirsten-mcg]

@ajillustrates @Chantal-Goetheer @NessIllustration @Mia-Clarke @ArtistErin @Kim-Rosenlof @MiaNova @Asyas_illos @Blitz55 This is the one I’ve decided to go with. I was still undecided after getting everyone’s opinions, so I asked my 12 and 14 year old sons which book they would like to read the most and they both picked this one! I figured that was a pretty good indicator that I was onto something here. I’ve flipped the image around and made a few more changes. Looking at it now I realize the perspective on the mast is completely wrong, so I’ll definitely be fixing that. Any other critiques or things I’m missing?

[ArtistErin]

@kirsten-mcg This is a cool redesign so far! I love the dragon and the way the mouse is "eyeing" his next adventure. Yes the perspective on the mast you'll figure out. The rest is spot on from what i can see.

[Chantal Goetheer]

@kirsten-mcg I agree what @ArtistErin says. It looks great and can't wait to see the next step of this cover.

[Mia Clarke]

@kirsten-mcg Looks good, go for it!

[Tom Harshberger]

I like #1 as it hits a ton of different things in one piece. I just recently read through Will Terry's '100+ things to put in a portfolio' off the show notes on the 'Building a Strong Portfolio' episode. With all that's going on in #1, it's a great way to show off a lot of different looks!

[ajillustrates]

@kirsten-mcg I really like where this is going! My only note at this time is that between the feather in his cap, the dragon head and its tongue, and the mast crossbar, there are quite a few leading lines moving the eye off the cover. You could balance that out by turning the feather around to point inward, which would give you the added bonus of having it overlap or interact with the title desgn.

[kirsten-mcg]

@ajillustrates Good point! Thanks

[kirsten-mcg]

@Tom-Harshberger That's a good thing to keep in mind! Thanks for the reminder. This is just the first of a book cover series I'm planning to do, so I might actually end up using that same design for another book.

[GabeRobinson]

@kirsten-mcg I really agree with your sons--I was into your other designs, but this one really does a lot more! I like how it includes both Reepicheep and the humans and you can clearly see it's a ship and it's an interesting angle. Nice!

[kirsten-mcg]

I’m at the point where I’m tired of looking at this one, so I’m going to call it done for now!

[Mia Clarke]

@kirsten-mcg Oh, I love it, it’s so good! Beautiful work, Kirsten! This will make a wonderful portfolio piece.

[kirsten-mcg]

@Mia-Clarke thank you!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@kirsten-mcg looking good!

[blackhound rise]

@kirsten-mcg I like all of them but mostly 1 and 3. they both give me an Escaflowne vibe. is this part of a marketing strategy as well? i don't know the story or target audience but i feel 1 will be catchy to young kids and still captures the fantasy visual and 3 has the mystery of who are the characters, how do they look? and what world is this.

[kirsten-mcg]

@blackhound-rise Thank you! Yes, I'm making book covers to add to my portfolio to hopefully bring in book cover work. I believe the Chronicles of Narnia would be considered Middle Grade these days, which is my target.