Advice Needed About New Sample Book Covers For Merlin's Blade

January 3rd, 2012

Advice Needed About New Sample Book Covers For Merlin's Blade

Written by Robert Treskillard on January 3rd, 2012 @ 03:33:13 pm (423 views)

Posted in The Merlin Spiral & The Pendragon Spiral, 1: Merlin's Blade, Progress Reports, My Book Excerpts, Publishers, FAN ART!

I created these for a publisher to give them an example of what I was thinking for a book cover for Merlin’s Blade.

My son, Leighton, portrays the blind Merlin, and my daughter, Adele, with the harp (from a photo when she was sixteen) portrays Natalenya.

So, without further ado, here are the book covers (click to see a hi-res version):

Note that I’d like to completely redo the blue fire emanating from the stone. This might cause many of the other elements to change, either in composition or position.

Anyway, I would be interested which of the two you prefer … to see Merlin’s face (sample 2), or to keep it a mystery (sample 1)?

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24 comments

Comment from: Noah Arsenault [Visitor] · http://noahsreads.blogspot.com

I like the first one. It's more intriguing.

01/03/12 @ 15:50

Comment from: Michael Deveaux [Visitor]

I'd like to see a mixture of the 2... I like the top one but I'd like to see his head turned so you can see his face.

01/03/12 @ 16:21

Comment from: Tony Wait [Visitor]

I feel that the first one (seeing his face) is much better.

01/03/12 @ 16:37

Comment from: Gregory J. Downs [Visitor] · http://www.epicbloggjd.blogspot.com

They're both good, the only thing is the sword looks a little odd in the 2nd pic.

With pro covers like those, what do you even need a publisher for? You should go indie... ^_^

01/03/12 @ 16:44

Comment from: SD Smith [Visitor] · http://www.sdsmith.net

Hey Rob,
I like the first, myself. Though the sword and L's left arm look strange, almost like it has disappeared. Maybe the color change would help? Anyway, you have some skills, sir.
Sam

01/03/12 @ 17:34

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Sam,

I agree that the left arm looks a bit strange ... but if you grab a sword with two hands (the left on the bottom), and move the blade into that position, that is just what the left hand does ... it goes behind the right.

To be fair, the sword in that pic is completely photoshopped in because I don't own a sword that looks like the one in the book. My goal is to buy a pre-made blank sword and attach a bronze-cast hilt, which will be cool to learn how to do ... er, hot!

Thanks for stopping by, man!

-Robert

01/03/12 @ 19:13

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Michale, Tony, Noah, and Gregory:

Thanks for sharing your comment ... I really appreciate it!

-Robert

01/03/12 @ 19:15

Comment from: Jay Lauser [Visitor]

· http://www.holyworlds.org

I like the first better, it looks more natural, and more mysterious. Though I think the sword being in the stone would help carry what is happening a bit better, I think.

Looking great!

01/04/12 @ 08:56

Comment from: Nichole White [Visitor]

· http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com

I have to agree with Michael. There's something about the arch of Merlin's back in the first picture that sort of balances it out, but I like the fact that you can see his face in the second picture.

And I also think that this is a very amazing example of your artistic skills.

Greg was right there... this totally looks professional. ^_^

01/04/12 @ 13:19

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Thanks, Nichole! :wave:

01/05/12 @ 12:12

Comment from: Hydrogen Wizard [Visitor] · http://www.HydrogenWizard.com

I think both are great, most of the time I like to imagine what the characters look like myself. Maybe the first with a little eye glimmer added. I did not get an impression that there was anything dynamically wrong with either composition or positioning.

Wizard on

01/06/12 @ 10:47

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Allen,

As an artist, I really appreciate your perspective. If a publisher were to choose one of these, I would have further fixing and detailing to do ... for instance, some of the chroma-key work isn't up to professional standards yet.

I also want to replace the blue fire with something better, but what I have is good enough to communicate the idea.

-Robert

01/06/12 @ 15:11

Comment from: Grace Bridges [Visitor]

· http://www.splashdownbooks.com

I like seeing his face! It gives more of a focus to the design - on the other, I don't really know where to look.

The overall design is most awesome! Well done!

01/06/12 @ 18:17

Comment from: Karina Fabian [Visitor] · http://fabianspace.com

Bottom one. It pulls the focus back to the title and fills the space better.

01/07/12 @ 16:22

Comment from: Deborah S. Dahnim [Visitor]

First, I would like to say how amazing they both are! Good job, Robert!

Hmm . . . I'd say that I like the second one overall, except that I preferred the head and hair down in the first one. So maybe one with "Merlin" holding the sword in the stone like that, but with his head lowered over it? My opinion . . .

But wow, they're cool!

01/07/12 @ 16:59

Comment from: paul [Visitor] · http://musicbypaul.yolasite.com/

definitely prefer NOT being able to see the face

but also prefer the sword held in the vertical position

01/07/12 @ 23:21

Comment from: Rachel [Visitor]

· http://bookworm.blogspot.com

I like the first cover the best but they are both good. I will have to read this if only because the cover has me intreged.

01/26/12 @ 12:58

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Thanks for the vote, Rachel!

I hope to make an announcement soon about the novel's publication.

01/26/12 @ 13:07

Comment from: Gillian Adams [Visitor] · http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/

Wow! Merlin's Blade looks so intriguing! I definitely want to read it now. I would have to say that I like the position of Merlin on the second cover but I definitely prefer having his face covered. I think it adds so much to the mystery. So, if there were any way to combine the two positions, that would be my vote!

02/06/12 @ 00:28

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Thanks for stopping by, Gillian. When is your book coming out? How is the book trailer coming along?

I'm hoping to film my own book trailer in early September. :roll:

02/06/12 @ 11:46

Comment from: Gillian Adams [Visitor]

· http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/

Thanks. I look forward to reading your book. I don't have an exact release date yet for my book, but it's coming out this summer. Finished filming the book trailer on Saturday and saw the preliminary cuts yesterday! It's looking good so far! I'm quite excited about it.

That's exciting! Well, should you need any additional actors, let me know!

I'm always in search of another acting opportunity!

02/07/12 @ 12:02

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Leighton and I are still working on the script, but we're planning on keeping it pretty simple. Let us know when you get your book trailer posted online... :yes:

02/07/12 @ 12:16

Comment from: Rachel [Visitor]

· http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com

Yeah, if you need any actors, let me know but I probably live in the wrong state. But, if there is another way to help, let me know.

And Gillan, I'm going to have to do some research and learn more about your book.

02/18/12 @ 17:06

Comment from: Robert Treskillard [Member]

· http://robert.epictales.org

Thanks, Rachel!