I’ve had so many readers tell me that they love the cover for The Hidden Haven…and I agree! I was so pleased with what my illustrator, and family friend, Mr. Corman did with the cover illustration! It’s been great working with him as the illustrator for The Lavender Dawn Saga!
Mr. Corman was kind enough to answer a few questions, and I thought you would like to read his answers!
How long have you been into art?
I have been into art ever since I was a kid. My dad was good at drawing. I saw how he would make his favorite characters and wanted to do the same thing. I originally wanted to be a Disney animator. Whenever a new animated movie came out, I challenged myself to try and draw the characters. As I got older, I found out that a majority of animators can draw from life. That meant I needed to learn to draw my surroundings and expand what I was able to draw. I would visit zoos and draw animals, or take my sketchbook to a cafe and try to illustrate what I was seeing.
What was something different about illustrating a book from what you’ve done in the past?
Illustrating a book has its challenges because all the different drawings need to work together as a whole. The characters need to have a similar look and feel in each drawing. I was familiar with the Lord of the Rings book series, but I haven’t read a lot in the fantasy adventure genre. As an artist, I want to emulate things I like about a style, but at the same time, I also want to make the characters stand out as unique.
What challenges did you face while creating the illustrations and cover for The Hidden Haven?
I ran into the task of putting the characters into an environment and making sure the composition communicated what was actually in the story. It wasn’t all about what I could imagine, it was listening to what the author wrote and trying to grasp what was in their imagination.
What is your process for creating an illustration?
I start with a quick sketch of what I think the illustration could be. I’m considering the composition and how the characters will be interacting with their environment. I’m also thinking about the illustration in different layers. What comes in front, what is in the middle, and finally, what is in the background? It often helps me to think about a stage. Where would the characters stand? What is the mood of the scene? After I get this first drawing, I will ask the author to review what I have done. My final drawing usually has the most detail. I take the time to make the linework have a finished feel to it. I usually work digitally because it’s easier to make corrections.
For the aspiring artists and illustrators out there, do you have any advice/encouragement to share?
I often tell aspiring artists to draw and paint the things they are interested in. You don’t need to worry about being original with your work at the beginning. Learning how to draw your environment is also important. Noticing little things that often go overlooked is a fun way to start. There are many resources online that help people learn the fundamentals of drawing. You also have to permit yourself to make drawings that you aren’t happy with. It’s easy to give up and feel like you aren’t making any progress, but stick with it, and you will start to see that your work is improving. Keeping a sketchbook is like having a log of your discoveries. It can be a daunting task, but try and fill every page with something that has caught your attention. Lastly, find artists that you admire. When you come across a work of art that inspires you, take the time to find out who created it and the context in which it was made.
Conclusion
Thank you so much, Mr. Corman! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, and for all of your hard work illustrating my covers!
Mr. Corman is currently working on the cover for the second book in The Lavender Dawn Saga! If you want to be one of the first people to see the AMAZING cover, you can do that by signing up for my email list, HERE!
See you on the next page!