One of the things about having multiple projects in process is that you have to plan ahead. So, at present, while I work on the editing and writing of a couple of projects, I am also preparing a cover design for yet another one.
Letters from Home is a manuscript that I wrote while I was an undergraduate. It was, in part, inspired by something that C.S. Lewis says in the introduction to The Screwtape Letters. Lewis observed that “someone” should write the counterpoint to his devilish letters. Letters isn’t quite that – they are letters from someone who is at Home (Heaven) to someone (called “Beloved”) who is on the Road Home.
The cover design is just an illustration of part of the Road, going through the woods.
I’m doing it digitally, but it is in a pen-and-ink style.
Here’s the first stage:
I had initially started out doing a sort of watercolor effect for the coloring aspect. I intended to then layer over that a “black ink” to define the images even more.
However, part the way into this, I realized that I liked the idea of the background trees to be lighter, since I wanted to indicate a “source of light” ahead on the road. So I started adding in “color inking” for additional detailing.
Which brings me to this stage of the work:
Little bit by little bit this is working toward what I want it to be. I have plenty of time, fortunately. Once the other writing projects are completed, I’ll turn my attention to Letters. Even then, the manuscript needs some rewriting and editing. This will take a while.
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