The Literary Review of Canada has a wrap-around cover, and this month I’m lucky enough to be on it.
The full illustration is on my website, and there’s a low resolution version at the bottom of this post—read on for a quick look at the design process.
Below: front cover of the Literary Review of Canada, December 2023.
How the Magic Happened
It starts with rough thumbnails and layout sketches. I aim for three or four ideas. Sometimes I jot down really useful notes, like “snow people.” Incredibly useful.
Then, I scan in the background sketch and add details overtop, digitally—using an actual computer.
Next, I add some limited colour, to clarify the composition. I shoot for something that could almost go to print—so long as you look at it from a mile away, while being a little drunk.
Once that’s all settled, I can move onto the final drawing. I print out the black and white sketch (at about 120% scale). Then draw the lines by hand, over a lightbox.
These lines are then scanned and cleaned up in photoshop, where I also add the colour.
The Literary Review’s Bookworm
If you look closely at the front cover (above), you will spot a bookworm.
This is a reference to the Literary Review’s Substack, called, you guessed it, Bookworm. Subscribe to get “exclusive reviews, book excerpts, insider looks at the magazine, and more.”
Below: Bookworm No.21