leelastarsky | 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! ;~)

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

This is beautiful. You totally deserve the win. :)

I've seen several great covers for this competition and I'm kind of sad that the real cover won't be anything this good (I just don't like Mary Grand Pre's style).

I love the composition and how you did not just the front cover, but a complete wrap-around. It works equally well for the UK version, too. Excellent job!

OMG
I have no word
that's a very impressive work!
♥♥♥♥

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?

Oh, wow. That's absolutely beautiful. Suffice to say if this were the real cover I would be mpre than delighted. It's so atmospheric. I love the standing stones and the Celtic knotwork, and the Dementors look really frightening. You definitely deserved to win. Wow.

that's really gorgeous =] i love all the details and the muted colors and everything.

i've liked your work for some time now, and i don't know why i've never gotten around to asking, but would you mind if i friended you?

Oh, it's a good thing I'm not the only one thinking this way!
Then again I always try to look at things from the professional point of view.
And answering your question,

lecharmediscret , yes, it's from this book. WOW! You're the first one to notice. I mean a lot of people asked me what does it mean but no one conjectured. Have you read this book? If yes, then in what language? I was telling

redblaze about it but I don't know if there is a translation of this book. As far as I know there are only turkish and russian variants.

P.S. Excuse us, please, Leela, for spamming your LJ.
I've asked the professors about the cover and the only phrase I could get out of them was "Is this the real cover? Oh, finally! I was wondering when will they fire their uneffective artists and hire someone who'd really read the book and have talent to draw just the right picture to attract children". When I told him that was just fan-made picture and not the real, he answered that we all really should join our efforts and write a letter to Bloomsberry telling they are fools.
So, thats the opinion of a professional.

thats just.. stunning. :D

(I think it's the lotr fan in me but I can't help but thinking about FotR when I head 'hallows' >.> Which ends up in me humming Tom Bombadil songs ^^;)

Have I already expounded on how much I love this piece and how much it deserves to be praised and loved by all? If I have, bear with; if I haven't, then OH MY GOD, WOMAN.

This sums up every bit of intenstiy that I've come to expect for the last book. The fact that you've used the trio in particular is especially so poignant and close to my heart - with Sumbledore gone, who better to fight the battle? Who better to have on the last book? *cries a little*

And then the lush detail of everything. I love that you used so much background and environmental elements in this, it's so confident and it makes so much sense that I can't help but think I'll be a little disappointed if book 7 doesn't somehow relate to this picture. *hee* I love the colours and lighting - so realistic, yet solidly based in fantasy. It is amazing.

And then... the darlings! The composition is fantastic - Ron ahd Hermione there, but facing away to the oncoming danger of the Death Eaters and who knows what else - they are literally covering Harry's back without any hesitancy. I love their pose - so brimming right one the edge of action, it's nail-biting to see them frozen like that.

And Harry. Oh my god, Harry. I feel like I can spend hours just staring at his face. Finely blaanced between boy and man, and that expression on his face of concentration and just. He is the hero, there is no doubt about that. My words just fail me. I just love.

LOVE!!! CONGRATULATIONS, you TOTALLY deserve it!! (and sorry about any typos, hehe)

I went to primary school in Turkey, so I read it in Turkish. I remember it being absolutely addictive. Sadly I haven't come across any English translations either (which is a real shame because my ability to read sophisticated prose in Turkish has somewhat declined since I was ten...)Is his work read in Russia? I didn't realise he was known anywhere outside of Turkey- this is exciting!

Thanks! :~)

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. ;~)

ps: love the avatar!! ;~D

Thanks!! *hugs*

Thankyou!! *hugs* :~)

Thanks so much, Nataly! It's wonderful to hear that your professors considered it of professional quality! I'm really grateful and flattered that you took the time to show it to them. *hugs*

And no worries about the 'spamming.' I know how exciting it is to find someone else who shares a passion you have. :~)

Thankyou! :~)

Thanks, Lea! *hugs*

Thanks so much!! :~)

It's great to hear you liked it!! :~)

Thankyou!! What a lovely thing to say! :~)

Thanks, Kerry!! *hugs*

Thanks, Hill!! *hugs* :~)

Thankyou, I'm glad you liked it!

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!

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