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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Book Cover #11 - WIP (ribbons and roses)

This is the cover drawing that would never end! Took forever this week to finish it up.

In my initial thumbnail, I attempted to have a significantly different pose from the previous two. However, the publishers did not like this one, so re-draws were required. I had already worked out the color palette and elements to include....


So I went reference hunting - for both references for the elements I already knew that I needed, and much searching for rearing, 3/4, tucked-head horses... Since flying-horse-pose reference is not so easy to come by, it take compiling what you can come up with and for me at least, quite a bit of working and re-working until the anatomy feels somewhat believable...?

...And of course, here is the flower featured on this cover. Herb-lore for the day: An Anglo-Saxon herbal of the 11th century speaks of a conserve of rose petals "taken in the morning and fasting at night, it strengthenest the hearte and taketh away the shakings and tremblings thereof."

I grow very old heirloom roses. They are not the most beautiful varieties, but their scent is heavenly and intense, their petals make for very flavorful candied garnishes and the most fragrant syrup you've ever tasted, and they have huge, plump hips. Decorative *and* tasty (jelly, tea, etc...) These wild roses above have been fun to draw and made me acutely aware of the occasional waft of deliciously intense rose fragrance from the roses that grow beneath my studio window...

Here is the revised sketch, which was approved-


-and here, at LONG last, is the finished cover drawing...

Three down, one more to go.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

A few minutes ago, in response to your comment at Idle Thoughts, I told you to go draw a flying horse...gosh! you were quick!
Aren't re-writes(or draws) a pain? Once I'm finished editing and tweaking I don't want to do it all over.
(I grew quite a few heritage roses in my former garden.)

Jennifer Rose said...

Long process but worth it in the end. :) looks really nice and the flowers frame the horse really nicely.

Anonymous said...

This turned out really nice with all the details and the history behind the drawing. It's a shame they want the covers to look so similiar in the poses.

Unknown said...

I love your approved sketch! I like the way the horse's right front leg is tucked a bit more than it is in the finished sketch- it adds a bit of dynamics. I also prefer the bee's more crouched pose in the approved sketch-- more dynamic as well. From my animator's perspective, it's almost as if you've let your "models" relax in their poses a bit when you redid it! ;) The surrounding roses are beautifully composed. Well done!

Lisa Hunt said...

Lovely drawing, Tara! That bee is exquisite. When will this cover be printed?

d. moll, l.ac. said...

I liked the other one too, this one does have a certain bounce.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Your final cover is gorgeous. The bee is divine.

I'm so glad to hear people are still growing roses for scent. A heavily scented rose can make me swoon :)

Steve Anderson said...

Beautiful drawing Tara! As are the other paintings in this book cover series. Nice work.

Gina said...

I love how all the space is used and it is so alive, so sweet.