Here's the cover I'm thinking of using for my sketchbook... what do you guys think? Do you think this is compelling enough to make folks want to look inside?
It's really up to you. My take on it is that the cover makes it feel like a comic book. Maybe because the cover is so finished. Even though it says "Sketchbook #1" I think comic book. Just my two cents. Nice sketch though.
It's a wonderful drawing Rick; one of my favorite drawings from one of my favorite stories of yours. But I have to admit that the exact same thought crossed my mind as Jeff had. The handsome coloring has given it a finished look, and it suggests that there is a complete story inside. Perhaps a more montage-y looking drawing with several images and handwritten notes might suggest sketch book more. But in the end I think it's a minor point. The potential buyer will be intrigued enough to look inside and make their judgement from there.
Wow! This is great feedback! I guess this articulates my unformed concern... I like the drawing, obviously, but I wasn't sure if it was right for the cover.
Perhaps it will make a good back cover! The Montage idea might work, too. Also, if I reduce it to use it in a montage then I can put it inside the book too! HA! I can squeeze one more page out of it!
Longer Comment. I think anything goes on a sketchbook Rick. The slickest thing you can do will come out exciting once Lulu cranks it out. I'd love to have that piece in my hands as a little 6 by 9 booklet with that cover. You want a nice piece for the Color Covers.
Your point is well taken, Ellis. I think that perhaps a montage, with a couple of sketches (or other color pieces) inset in the cover shown here might not only explain that it’s a sketchbook but also show that is contains a wider range of styles and subject matter.
Still, I like the clarity of a single image on the cover. I’ll play with it a bit more and share what I come up with. Thanks again folks!
Too many crops. I think the montage work should go to the back cover. Then have it displayed ( hopefully at our table, still no official word) with both covers showing.
I don't know if this fixes it. You say it's a sketchbook but all of these images are pretty finished. Maybe you could keep the full colored background and make all of the inset art black and white. OR maybe I'm just overthinking it.
Actually, I like it. The term sketchbook is tricky. It's true that the drawings still seem fairly finished, but when I think of sketchbook, I think of a bunch of loose ideas that aren't joined by a single storyline or theme, and aren't taken to finished paintings. So now it seems o.k. to me that the drawings are more than just black and white sketches.
The reasoning behind putting the color pieces on the cover is that the interior will be all black and white, so I wanted to get the most out of the color cover. Also, color is generally more eye catching than B & W, so I thought I should keep the cover colorful.
Ellis, I like your idea for the back cover... I was thinking about putting a color comic strip back there that I did for my blog page, but now I'm considering different options.
Here's the cover I'm thinking of using for my sketchbook... what do you guys think? Do you think this is compelling enough to make folks want to look inside? 
Yessireebob!
ReplyDeleteIt's really up to you. My take on it is that the cover makes it feel like a comic book. Maybe because the cover is so finished. Even though it says "Sketchbook #1" I think comic book. Just my two cents. Nice sketch though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful drawing Rick; one of my favorite drawings from one of my favorite stories of yours. But I have to admit that the exact same thought crossed my mind as Jeff had. The handsome coloring has given it a finished look, and it suggests that there is a complete story inside. Perhaps a more montage-y looking drawing with several images and handwritten notes might suggest sketch book more. But in the end I think it's a minor point. The potential buyer will be intrigued enough to look inside and make their judgement from there.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is great feedback! I guess this articulates my unformed concern... I like the drawing, obviously, but I wasn't sure if it was right for the cover.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will make a good back cover! The Montage idea might work, too. Also, if I reduce it to use it in a montage then I can put it inside the book too! HA! I can squeeze one more page out of it!
Thanks guys!
Longer Comment. I think anything goes on a sketchbook Rick. The slickest thing you can do will come out exciting once Lulu cranks it out. I'd love to have that piece in my hands as a little 6 by 9 booklet with that cover. You want a nice piece for the Color Covers.
ReplyDeleteYour point is well taken, Ellis. I think that perhaps a montage, with a couple of sketches (or other color pieces) inset in the cover shown here might not only explain that it’s a sketchbook but also show that is contains a wider range of styles and subject matter.
ReplyDeleteStill, I like the clarity of a single image on the cover. I’ll play with it a bit more and share what I come up with. Thanks again folks!
Too many crops. I think the montage work should go to the back cover. Then have it displayed ( hopefully at our table, still no official word) with both covers showing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this fixes it. You say it's a sketchbook but all of these images are pretty finished. Maybe you could keep the full colored background and make all of the inset art black and white. OR maybe I'm just overthinking it.
ReplyDeleteActually, I like it. The term sketchbook is tricky. It's true that the drawings still seem fairly finished, but when I think of sketchbook, I think of a bunch of loose ideas that aren't joined by a single storyline or theme, and aren't taken to finished paintings. So now it seems o.k. to me that the drawings are more than just black and white sketches.
ReplyDeleteThe reasoning behind putting the color pieces on the cover is that the interior will be all black and white, so I wanted to get the most out of the color cover. Also, color is generally more eye catching than B & W, so I thought I should keep the cover colorful.
ReplyDeleteEllis, I like your idea for the back cover... I was thinking about putting a color comic strip back there that I did for my blog page, but now I'm considering different options.