JULY CONTEST: Design a book cover for the Wizard of Oz

Sasha Contreras · 24 Jul 2020, 00:45

My entry for the Wizard of Oz book cover illustration

Eric Droke · 21 Jul 2020, 03:43

Here's my post for the July contest. It was a challenge working with such an iconic piece of literature. It was tough trying to avoid the original aesthetic, not to mention the movie's influence. I'm still very new to this, so definitely a good challenge for me.

These are the gifts (in the book) given by the Wizard: a silk heart filled with sawdust for the Tin Man, a scoop of bran filled with pins and needles ("bran new brains") for the Scarecrow, and a bottle of "courage" potion for the Lion. (Also, Dorothy's shoes are silver in the book.) All these things were just substitutes for the real gifts acquired along the journey on the yellow brick road... love, wisdom, courage, and a way home. Hope you enjoy!

jdubz · 22 Jul 2020, 17:30

Here's my submission. I'm kind of out in the weeds on this one a bit because it's more of an adaptation of the book, but I really wanted to push myself with mixing styles and I've really been wanting to practice some graphic novel looks, so here we go

Nyrryl Cadiz · 21 Jul 2020, 04:53

@Quackamos it’s so cute!!!! This looks like it could be the cover of a comics

Nyrryl Cadiz · 21 Jul 2020, 04:55

@jdubz ha! this is a fun one. Maybe instead of “Missing” you could write “Departed”, The Departed Wizard of Oz.

jdubz · 21 Jul 2020, 05:28

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Ohhh I like that. I had like 5 words I was trying to figure out and I replaced Vanishing with Missing... I think I like Departed more. Didn't even occur to me

carrieannebrown · 21 Jul 2020, 07:08

@jdubz this is really good, great use of shadow. I wonder how strict the judges will be about changing the brief. It's a great portfolio piece either way, and that's the main goal at the end of the day. Love the dark castle on right too.

deborah Haagenson · 21 Jul 2020, 07:27

I don't know if they'll judge based on the spec, but my opinion is that it's disrespectful not to follow them. They would have intended us to follow them or they wouldn't have written them. You wouldn't do this with an actual client would you?

carrieannebrown · 21 Jul 2020, 10:27

@deborah-Haagenson yes that's what I thought, I assumed Jake's intention was to create a more realistic brief as if we were working for a client, so I've stuck to the specs. But if it doesn't align with the market people want to work for, I guess it makes more sense to create something more specific to their portfolio aims. I wonder if solutions that don't fit the brief will be considered in the final 16.

Nyrryl Cadiz · 21 Jul 2020, 11:50

@deborah-Haagenson Well, Jake did give use creative freedom

Ruth Tripp · 21 Jul 2020, 16:23

What a fun prompt! This is my first ever submission. I’ve been super inspired by all the amazing art here at SVS! Was a little intimidated to post, but everybody else’s courage to post their work is rallying. So here I go, too! Thanks, SVS Team!

Johanna Kim · 21 Jul 2020, 16:43

@Eric-Droke Love your unique concept, attention to the details of the original story and final illustration! Looks very intriguing and professional.

jdubz · 21 Jul 2020, 18:06

@carrieannebrown Thanks I appreciate it! Yeah that was my thought - more than likely I won't be in the contest because I went that direction, which will be fine. It was my call to deviate so I'll live with what happens

Quackamos · 21 Jul 2020, 18:09

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Ahh thank you so much!

Jordi Ventura · 21 Jul 2020, 21:00

Hi everyone, Here is my submission!
It took more than I expected, but I think I learn a few things doing it, so worth the time investment! Have a nice day!

sigross · 21 Jul 2020, 23:47

@jdubz This is brilliant. I want to read this grim edition of the Wizard of Oz. Jake did say "..an edition of the Wizard of Oz" so that could be an edition that hasn't been published yet.

Eric Droke · 22 Jul 2020, 13:03

@Johanna-Kim, Thank you very much!

JoshuaDages · 22 Jul 2020, 15:27

@Ruth-Tripp So great! I love your sketchy, painterly style. The composition really adds to the story, and the colors are absolutely striking! Really, really beautiful piece.

jdubz · 22 Jul 2020, 17:36

@sigross Hah thanks. That's how I had originally read it when I saw "an edition" being not just the linear story. Could be wrong though and that's what he did indeed mean. We'll find out soon enough. My wife was over my shoulder when I was finishing it saying "Ohh, are you going to do a Wizard of Oz comic?" and I was like "Hah NO! Huh, maybe?"

miranda-hoover · 22 Jul 2020, 21:16

@Jordi-Ventura This is so cute!