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Thumbnails

These are some of the rough ideas i have had for my book cover

Laser cut Image

Last week week selected an image of our own to be laser cut.
Using Illustrator to sort out the technical info it was then loaded onto a PC that talks to the very expensive Laser cutter. Although it takes a long time to burn the image in. I think you'll agree the outcome is worth it.

I bet this guy never knew he would be etched in wood!

Final Brief

After choosing a book to work on i read My Family and other Animals by Gerald Durrell.

I thoroughly loved this book and the humor of the family life abroad for the Durrells in the 1930's. After receiving the formal brief i started working on my research and sketches. I looked at various personal photos i have from my trips to Corfu, and other Greek Islands. This gave me a good source of information to draw upon. 

Using soft gel crayons i tried to recreate some scenes of Corfu. I used these because they are vibrant and feel sunny giving the feel of a Mediterranean Island.

I love these textures they would make great shorts and trousers for the menfolk of the story!

Various line and pencils drawings with notes added.

I looked at different printing styles for the era the book was written for. Using limited colours i  tried to recreate some images using these styles. Above i used two contrasting colors to illustrate olives and it's leaves. Below i looked at a horse and cart in bold contrasting colors using back to give definition. I had seen a similar style image in a book from the 40's.

Some line and marker work of Gerry's animals including his Scops Owl .

I also looked at extras and materials that would create the feel i wanted for clothes and backgrounds etc.

I looked at equipment.

I added more and more to my book using the book as reference to research the type of animals that Gerry loved and looked after. I also looked at the things that were influential in his studies such as the microscope and nature.  I started to draw these and add them in various compositions. Below i tried out some thumbnail sketches on what i could include on the cover.

Here are some experiments i did with texture and hand drawn and digital drawings.

I tried out some of the textures i found and drew a rough Gerry with Wellies on. Despite the textures being in blocks i am happy with the result of how he looks.

I have used a combination of animal sketches to produce this and am really pleased with its effect, although i know it still needs some work.