WIP March book cover composition. Critiques welcome.

saciia_

That’s a really nice idea and I like the overall composition! The only thing that caught my eye were the two dark flowers in the front. They are in the same height and maybe you could try to move one of them more down. The O as a lilypad I would just leave open and just try both versions on the finished illustration ...I think it´s hard to say yet. I look forward to see how it will turn out

saciia_

Maybe you could also just add a third flower on the right side

BenBernardSmith

I really like it! As others have said, maybe make it a little less symmetrical by adding an extra flower to one side, or a bug on a reed or something.

Kristin Wauson

Very cool concept! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Bennie

Love your creative thinking in the text and having the prince reflection... maybe the composition is to symetric. At least i should create some differents left and right with the plants and create some more depth. Curious how you will go further from here...

Jonas Zavacky

@Aleksey I love the idea!!!

I was just thinking about the font. Since you imagined the "o" as a lilypad.
Maybe the whole font is floating on a water level? Just an idea tho... it can be foolish.

ArtofAleksey

Yeah symmetry is a concern however since it’s a book cover, I wonder if one can use symmetry to their advantage. Im going to go to the library or barnes and noble and look at book covers for inspiration

burvantill

I like this idea. Looking forward to see the progress.

ArtofAleksey

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ArtofAleksey

Ok here Are a few other compositions I like the ripples in the water more. What does everyone else think?

djly

@Aleksey - I think I like the third composition best in the newest thumbnail set. I agree, the ripples are nice!

JennyJones

Big yes to the ripples! I love the current take on the composition.

ArtofAleksey

@djly @JennyJones thanks
I think I can add a little more components if I push it up a little more.

Sas

@Aleksey Oh this is nice and so brilliant!!! I loved your foreground though. It gives your piece depth and a 3D lookish effect. The lines in the text is brilliant but makes it a bit difficult to read. Maybe you can make the whole text part of the water? It kind of looks like the text is submerging from underneath the surface. I don't know if that's the effect you were looking for though. I love your reflection of the prince in the water!

Can't wait to see your progress!

CobaB

@Aleksey Oh wow! Yes, the first one you've got there with the top down view and the ripples is lovely!!

ArtofAleksey

@CobaB @Sas ok so what I’ve gathered so far is:
Foreground elements are good but dont overcrowd the piece
Keep the ripples but make the text clearer.

I might do a thing where it says “Frog” on the surface of the water, and the O is a lilypad while the word “prince” is being reflected in the water much like the prince himself.

Sas

@Aleksey Great ideas!!!

CobaB

@Aleksey Yes that sounds brilliant! Yeah it doesn't feel like you are overcrowding it though. So far it looks like you're on the right track and there's enough breathing space. I guess it will come down to how you render and colour it. Very creative with the O, love it!

ArtofAleksey

@CobaB @Sas thanks. Im so excited to render this because ive been practicing with pen and ink more than brush pens lately. At the very least this will be a good portfolio piece.

CobaB

@Aleksey Cool! Will you also do the colour by hand? I'm not personally that brave! I like to rough out on paper and then colour digital and sometimes I will ink by hand with a brush pen or else those old fashioned dip in ink pens.