Cover Art for "Glimpse of Darkness"

Cover Illustration

I have been so busy lately and my blog suffered it. However, I am back here because one of my last novel covers has been released recently: Glimpse of Darkness vol 1: Chronicles of the Cursed, written by Nicole DelaCroix.

At first, Nicole sent me a good briefing with descriptions and images that helped me to sketch some first possibilities to talk together about the best approach to the cover. After that, the idea was clearer and I tried a second collection of sketches focusing on the couple with him behind her. Number 5 was the chosen one; we both liked the tension of the point of view and the wings position. Then, I tested some colors and go on painting the pic, detailing and modifying, looking for some kind of dramatic feeling and character`s expression.

Working with Nicole has been really a wonderful experience. As I used to tell her, Nicole`s emails were fresh air in my mailbox, she is always full of joy and enthusiasm and I had the feeling of talking to an old friend, more than a client. I sincerely desire all the best for her and her books.

Thank you very much Nicole :)

And, thank you all for visting my cave again ;)

Links:
Glimpse of Darkness vol 1: Chronicles of the Cursed at Amazon
Nicole DelaCroix website
Nicole at Goodreads

Sketches I

Sketches II

Color thumbnails

Painting Process

Cover Illustration for "Lady Montague"

This is one of my latests artworks, done during summer 2013 for the novel "Lady Montague" written by Sofía Navarro.
*Spanish edition is titled "La Señora de Montesco"

Final Cover Illustration

Sofía had a clear idea of what she wanted for the cover, the main character looking to Verona city and holding a carnival mask. From that idea I did  some perspective/poses sketches including a lot of variants worried about how she hold the mask and how if the viewer can see see her face.

From a couple of selected sketches I did two color rough schemes. After Sofía selected one of them, I started to work with that one. Finally we used a more simple mask, according to the text's age, and the viewer cannot see her face.

I spent a lot of time working in the city to get a dramatic view, as well as some details like her hair and dress. At the end, I am very happy with the result.

I hope you like it ;)

Color Process

Working with Sofía Navarro has been a great pleasure, since the time we get in touch, I realized that she is a hardworker storyteller, one of this people that knows where she is going, my best wishes for her. Lady Montague will be available soon at Amazon, here you have some links to the author:
Sofía's blog "The Grown Mermaid"
Sofía's books at Amazon 
Sofia at Twitter

English Edition

Spanish Edition

Irene, Lazos. Disponible en Amazon

Un nuevo proyecto junto a Jesús B. Vilches que ve la luz estas Navidades, ya está disponible en Amazon el primer volúmen de la serie Irene. En esta nueva novela Vilches se adentra en el género romántico, ambientada en una Europa medieval ficticia donde descubriremos a Irene, un personaje muy real y cargado de fuerza. Desde su fragilidad y juventud sacudirá los cimientos de la alta sociedad trazando nuevos hilos que cambiarán el curso de los acontecimientos...

Detalles en nuestro blog PROYECTO ONYRIOS
Compra directa en AMAZON.ES
Compra directa en AMAZON.COM

A new project with Jesus B. Vilches sees the light this holiday season, the first volume of the series Irene is now available at Amazon. In this new novel Vilches delves into the romance genre, set in a fictional medieval Europe where we will discover Irene, a very real and full of strength character. From her fragility and youth she will shake the foundations of high society drawing new threads that will change the course of events ...

 

Para esta portada he contado con la ayuda de una foto de mi amiga Iria G. Parente que esbozaba como queríamos retratar a Irene. El objetivo no era hacer un retrato pero sí captar algo de lo que ella sugiere en esa foto y realmente ha sido de mucha ayuda :) Os dejo algunos pasos del color, en este caso el dibujo lo he hecho totalmente en digital.

For this cover I had the help of a photo of my friend Iria G. Parente outlining how we wanted to portray Irene. The goal was not a portrait but to capture something of what she suggests in this picture and really has been very helpful :) Here you have some color steps, in this case the drawing was made ​​entirely in digital.

 

photo reference (Thanks Iria ;)

 " Una mujer por la que un hombre mataría y se dejaría morir sin dudarlo. 

Ambas cosas sucedieron."

 Jesús B. Vilches