art - Deathly Hallows coverart

[leelastarsky]

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! ;~)

Comments

[chalicushu.livejournal.com]

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.

[lecharmediscret.livejournal.com]

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?

[chalicushu.livejournal.com]

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.

[lecharmediscret.livejournal.com]

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!

[chalicushu.livejournal.com]

You can read in Turkish? Wow, that's great.
Yes, there is a russian translation. I think they've made it after the mini-series starring Aydan Sener . There were a lot of people who loved the film so the publishers decided to translate and print the book. It's widely known now and very much loved.
And yes, it's a shame they didn't translate it in english because I know both Leela and RedBlaze would have liked it. And not only them but a lot of english-speaking people all over the world.
It's sad but I don't know any other books of Resad Nuri Guntekin. Maybe you can help me? Or suggest something like "Calikusu"? (I know that's the right way to write this name, isn't it? But I've decided to change it a little so it would sound in just the right way in english).

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

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. :~)

[chalicushu.livejournal.com]

It was my pleasure, Leela!
Of course I did take time to show the picture to my professors (how could I not?). They work in a huge printing company (maybe you've heard something about Heidelberg - german company?) and I wanted them to decide if this picture is a fake or an original. It was funny to look at them discussing the choice of colors and Bloomsbury book strategy and then look at their faces when I told them it was fan-made. I should have brought camera and taken pictures so you could see it for yourself. They told me "No way, it must be some sort of mistake!". And then pointed out why this particular picture would do nicely for the last book. Like I told you "This artist had really 'felt' the book and put his soul into work". I agree completely.
Take care and...
(((((((hugs you))))))

P.S. Thank you for "no worries". I feel like I come into my friend's home and then hide in a corner with someone to talk completely ignoring guests and the host.
I'm glad you don't see it this way.