New Live/Interactive Book Cover Illustration Class

[Lee White]

@amphailin We will definitely be covering layers for foils and spot varnishes. It's an important part of making a book cover so it needs to be in there.

Text beveling in photoshop is more of a photoshop/font topic and is so specific that I'm not sure we will be going into too much detail there. Although I can address it if it's an area you are interested in.

But, it should be noted that this is a conceptual illustration class and not a technical photoshop or font class. We will be asking you to design/Illustrate different covers for books with different parameters and subject matter. It's more about getting a solid image that works well for the story and style of the subject matter.

[smceccarelli]

Awesome class idea....I pitched for a book cover job back in October and lost the pitch - but saw enough to realize how well-paid these jobs are.
How long is the class and when does it officially start?

[Pam Boutilier]

@Lee-White Will a repeat of this or other live classes be offered later in the spring or summer? I want to take this one very much, but I'm going to have a major disruption in my life/work the month of March and am a bit nervous to commit in the time period this course falls (about 1/3 of it will be in March).

~ Pam

[julian beresford]

This looks really good.

[Lee White]

@smceccarelli It starts Jan. 17 and lasts 10 weeks.

[Lee White]

@pam-boutilier I'm not totally sure when this one will run again. I should know pretty soon. It sort of depends on the demand for the class. Since it's the first time running it, we need to see what reaction it gets.

[A Former User]

This post is deleted!

[Lee White]

@amphailin thats the same technique as the foils. It's basically just a black and white layer that shows where the raised parts or foil will be.

[Cory Shaw]

The description says there will be one video a week and a homework assignment, that seems reasonable, but can you estimate how much time a student should expect to give this course each week? I feel lame asking, but I want to give it my all if I sign up.

[Laurel Aylesworth]

@cory-shaw As a parent of two little kids, this question isn't lame at all. I'm interested to know as well. Is this a live class or pre-recorded? One of the reasons I can't do live classes is my kids will be all_over_me during it. Remember the viral video of the BBC reporter at home getting video bombed by his family? Yeah, that.

[Laurel Aylesworth]

@laurel-aylesworth Oh, just answered my own question, by actually reading the class description. Pre-recorded. Cool!

[smceccarelli]

I have a couple more questions....

• How many completed pieces are going to be created during the course?
• Are you going to explore different genres and audiences (midgrade vs picture books, humorous, fantasy, adventure, etc...?)
• Is the course going into type design and hand lettering in any way?

I have to be very conscious of investments as my illustration activity is still just barely covering expenses, but I am finding that assignments and/or competitions yield the best portfolio work....so I am considering this to give a next boost at my portfolio and maybe help to enter this part of the market, which is really very interesting....

[Lee White]

@smceccarelli This will be a good portfolio generating class I think. Here's our rough breakdown of the weeks. It will focus on different age ranges for the assignments.

Week 1: Dynamic thumbnails and process

Week 2: Book Cover Design

Week 3: Book Cover Design (Due)

Week 4: Modern Classic Fairytale

Week 5: Modern Classic Fairytale (continued)

Week 6: Modern Classic Fairytale (Due)

Week 7: Covers + Interior Spot

Week 8: Covers + Interior Spot (continued)

Week 9: Covers and Interior Due (Due)

Week 10: Final presentations

[Sarah LuAnn]

This class looks amazing, book covers is something I would LOVE to do more of for my portfolio, but its pretty much the worst timing ever (having a baby this month so I sincerely hope it will be offered again in the future :-).

[smceccarelli]

@lee-white Ok, Im convinced. Ten weeks for four pieces with critique throughout is a great deal - so Im giving myself a belated Christmas gift....and just signed up.
Looking forward!!

(Sorry for the rogue formatting of the text - I have no idea why it`s doing this to me...)

[Miriam]

@sarah-luann
Congratulations! I hope everything goes well for you!

[Lee White]

@smceccarelli great! Can't wait to see you in there!

I think you are a really good fit for this class. Your work is strong and you are at a place where cover work could really improve your overall portfolio. : )

[Cory Shaw]

I'm right on the edge of signing up, I just need to be pushed over that edge.

[DOTTYP]

I was wondering would this class be very advanced and difficult or would artists at a lesser stage still benefit from this course.Also would we be expected to do all traditional art or digital in our work.Sorry for the silly questions.

[Lee White]

@cory-shaw not sure if this will convince you, but it's filling up fast...