leelastarsky: (DH Harry)
leelastarsky ([personal profile] leelastarsky) wrote2007-02-27 10:56 pm
Entry tags:

art - Deathly Hallows coverart

Well, I am completely a-squeeee and utterly chuffed! My art got first place in the Photoshop section of the TLC Deathly Hallows coverart contest! Thankyou Leaky!!

If you haven't already, you must head over and have a look at the other beautiful entries!

Here are some larger versions of mine for you -


(click on the thumbnails for the BIG!)

without text


with text and lines to indicate the folds for the spine and flaps.

I saw a complaint in the comments on TLC that the text is too hard to read and would never be allowed for proper publishing. This is true, and I'll admit that was kind of deliberate on my part, as I didn't want it to take away from the painting. I was also emulating my US version of Order of the Phoenix which uses a blue foil embossing for the text on a blue cover. From certain angles that can't be read either. ;~)

and, come on, you know I couldn't do a cover without doing a UK version!!


The front flap on the UK version looks a bit bizarre cos it needs text!
Here's a bigger version of the front so you can see Harry's face. :~)


This was painted in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet. The base of the art was handpainted watercolour, which was then scanned into the computer. The castle in the background was photoshopped in from one of my older (acrylic) paintings, which you can see on the background of my journal!

Regarding the symbolism/story behind the scene depicted in the art, and the characters... I chose to stick with the Trio - Harry, Ron and Hermione. Deathly Hallows brought to mind the barrows and standing stones of ancient Britain for me, so that's where I've set it. And the Celtic patterns on the stone are part of a spell, whether for security or otherwise I'll leave to your imagination! Suffice to say that it requires the Full Moon, and Harry has found a way in/through, which is why the pattern is lighting up. But Dementors are approaching and Ron and Hermione have to fend them off to allow Harry to do his part!

Hopefully I've created an urgency in the scene and with the characters that will intregue the viewers and make them want to read the book! ;~)

ETA: I forgot to mention that the greenish haze on the ground is supposed to be the green mist caused by the Dementors! ;~)

[identity profile] admiratio.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:20 pm (UTC)(link)
This is so very beautiful, no wonder you won the Photoshop competition. Those other entries are also very good, I like the second place Photoshop and the first place draw.

I so wish you could do the cover art!
ext_40142: (DH Harry)

[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! I'm so glad you like it! And, yes, the other entries were fantastic, which is why I'm so delighted and homoured to have won. :~)

[identity profile] lillywmw.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, Leela, I run to your LJ page because I just see the Leaky some minutes ago!Connnnnngggggrrrraaatttuuuullllaaaattttiiiioooonnnnssss!!!It´s wonderful(and just for us)great probabilities of be far better than the one will be use!!You simple the BEST ,girl!Kisses and enjoy a lot this glorious day!
ext_40142: (DH Ron)

[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Lilly!! I thoroughly enjoyed doing this one, so it's great to hear that you liked it too! *hugs*

[identity profile] scribblecat.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Good Lord Kate! I'm speechless. This is STUNNING. Tomorrow Ill have a looksie at the other enries, thanks for the link!
Whoa, woman you are clever.
Did you have to start from scratch with the text or is there a Harry Potter font you nabbed somewhere online?

*phwoar*
ext_40142: (DH Harry)

[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Sarah! :~D
Here be fonts-
http://www.mugglenet.com/downloads/fonts/
Well, the US fonts. The Brit one I just found a font that was closest. Times New Roman for the main text if I remember correctly!

[identity profile] crzydemona.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Such a beautiful job!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! :~)

[identity profile] dreamcoat-mom.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations! You certainly deserve that kind of high-profile recognition, since you have been so generous with sharing your talent. Of all the fanartists in all the world, I look forward to your pieces the most. The play of light in this one is gorgeous. *happy sigh*

Oh, and BTW, I never got a chance to drop you a line and thank you for sharing your Bespin trilogy. It was one of the most intense and entertaining reads I've ever come across in the SW universe. I was thorougly hooked, and you are as compelling a storyteller as you are an artist! Cheers!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou so much! It's really great to hear that you enjoy my fics as well! I do feel guilty for the lack of progress on "Tatooine" but there are only so many hours in a day. ;~)

[identity profile] minoukatze.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations!!! I saw this and wanted to comment at TLC, but couldn't:( Amazing work, and well deserved!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks!! *hugs*

[identity profile] simons-flower.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Those are wonderful!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou!! *hugs* :~)

[identity profile] chalicushu.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Leela, that was gorgeous as always!
I don't know what those people in Bloomsbury think. They should fire all their artists and hire you instead!
But I must agree that the 'red-lettered-variant' wouldn't be successful. I've learned a lot from my university and I know there is a rule in publishing: never try letters on painting if there is a chance to use a monochromatic cover. So the first try was not very suitable but I like the one with lilac-black cover very much. It seems very professional to me also. If you want I can ask my professor what does he think (I will NOT tell him this is not a real model of cover but fan-made so it would be interesting what this famous and competent publisher will decide).
And about those figures... You've managed to portray them in such a wonderfully right way that we all know where the characters stand at the moment (I mean, just look at Hermione's hand around Ron's... and Ron's determination to give Harry time... and Harry's agitation.. We all get the message. You've managed to tell the whole trio story in just one picture).
My vote: best HP-cover ever made.
But I've also looked at other pictures and I like them too.

P.S. Forgive me once more my bad english. I was very excited.

[identity profile] lecharmediscret.livejournal.com 2007-03-01 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I was reading the comments, and you say what I thought perfectly! It captures so perfectly the dynamic of the trio's relationship that I just wanted to squee, and squee at someone who thought the same thing. And then I saw your user name and had to ask- is it from the title of a novel by Resat Nuri Guntekin?

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[identity profile] winnett.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, very cool. And Congrats!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou! :~)
ext_9390: My Phoebers! :D  (Default)

[identity profile] chickadilly.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow ... just ... wow.

That is beautiful - I wish that really was the cover!! :D
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Lea! *hugs*

[identity profile] karasu-hime.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
These look so awesome!!!
Very skillfull!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much!! :~)

[identity profile] gmth.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, WOW! Simply gorgeous! My goodness. That's incredible!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
It's great to hear you liked it!! :~)

[identity profile] melusinahp.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
It's fantastic and totally deserved to win. It's a picture and a story all in one. :)
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou!! What a lovely thing to say! :~)

[identity profile] lalaranel.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
This is fantastic!
ext_40142: (Default)

[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! :~)

[identity profile] kerryblaze.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Congrats, hon! It's gorgeous as usual!!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Kerry!! *hugs*

[identity profile] orange-bastard.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Eeeeeeeeeee congrats Leela! That is one beautiful piece of art!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Hill!! *hugs* :~)

[identity profile] austenrowling.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, very beautiful. I like how you turned it into a book jacket, with Harry on front, and R/Hr on back.
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou, I'm glad you liked it!

[identity profile] drkwzrdmalfoy.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
You have my congratulations on placing first.

I am not surprised in the least, the artist is well-known to me, and has painted a rather lovely portrait of my family and I which now hangs rather prominently in the drawing room of the Manor. Her talent and skills are recognised worldwide (even among Muggles evidently *haughty sniff*).

Pity I'm nowhere on it though (as I would have been had the author taken my title suggestion of: Harry Potter and the Other, More Important Prisoner of Azkaban).

As many of you who have posted here, I too had read the announcement at The Leaky Cauldron very early this morning and was going to comment there, but was unable to (blasted Muggle technology).

At any rate, congratulations again Leela.

((and a big hug from the person 'behind the mask'))
ext_40142: (Geeky)

[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou, Sir, for your most valued words of encouragement! I am more than certain that a book (and a movie) about the the Other, More Important Prisoner of Azkaban would be an immediate best seller.

And because I cannot help myself...squeeeful hug!
(deleted comment)
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou very much!! :~)

[identity profile] deuxcoeurs.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
This. Is PERFECTION. Harry. Ron and Hermione. Hermione grabbing onto Ron. The boys with their wands being drawn. I assume Hermione has hers drawn as well, but I can't see it.

Congratulations on the award! It's very well-deserved. :)
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou very much! And, yes, Hermione has her wand drawn too. In my imagination it's she who has alerted Ron to the Dementors. :~D

[identity profile] strawberry-acid.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations from me, too~
Ahh, this is just beautiful! I love the whole atmosphere in it, the concept and color scheme, the background, the Celtic knotwork on the stone.. Just everything~
Big love! :)
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankyou very much!! :~D

[identity profile] neodandiesrule.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, this is great ! And it looks so "professional", you could totally do the official work. I love the UK version (purple is love ;)
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! Glad you liked the purple too! ;~)

[identity profile] antisocial-nerd.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Holy crap!! That's amazing! It must have taken you forever to do. Ouch!! The detail is just gorgeous!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! It took several days to do, yes, but it's great to hear you liked it! :~)

[identity profile] reila.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
ABSOLUTELY beautiful!! ♥

Wow...I could honestly see your art as the art for the book. Lovely, lovely job!
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Julia! :~)

[identity profile] redonthefly.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a first place winner because it's just that awesome. I love the color palate you chose -- it seems so gritty and dark and cold. And of course, the Dementors gliding up the hill is ominous and shudder-worthy and brilliantly scary.

*applause*
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[identity profile] leelastarsky.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Goodness, I'm blushing! Thankyou! :~)

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