Favourite Cover Artists

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Do you have favourite cover artists - people who create covers which either draw you into the story, tell a part of the story by what it shows or are just plain beautiful even if they have nothing to do with the story?

Or - do you have some cover artists who you think really don't do credit to the books for which they are illustrations? If you happen to talk about the cover artists who are not favorites, though, remember the HOL guidelines and keep it to something simple, like 'they are not my cup of tea' -- then go on to someone who you wish had illustrated the book(s)!

Write about your favourite artists. Why are they your favourites? Is it their use of colour, the realism of their figures or the complete disregard to what might be considered normal in order to do credit to the story?

Are there books which have different covers depending on in which country they are published? Which covers do you prefer? Is this a consistent preference or does it vary from series to series and country to country?

Have you been drawn to a book, or a series of books, because of the cover? What were they? Who was the artist? What was it that drew you into reading the book(s)?

If you post pictures, please keep the size of the graphics to 600x600 pixels (or smaller) -- and also give credit to the artists. Thanks!

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

There is a series of books, The Wheel of Time, which I totally love. The only thing that I consistently didn't like about the books was the covers -- they definitely were not my cup of tea! Then, for the last book, A Memory of Light, they changed the cover artist to Michael Whelan.

Finally here were a few of the main people of the book - Rand, Moiraine and Nynaeve, in the Pit of Doom portrayed as I felt they are. The final book of that series, so good, and I am very glad that Michael Whelan was chosen for the cover illustration!


- cover art copyright Michael Whelan

[Joey Stark]

I have to say, I really love the newest Harry Potter book designs by Jonny Duddle (who, by the way, has a name that sounds like it should be in a Potter book <3).


-Cover art copyright Jonny Duddle

The fourth and sixth books look pretty much like redesigned versions of the originals, which I'm happy about since I really like the concept of The Half-Blood Prince's cover. I like that each book has it's own different colour pallet, it give them a nice distinct atmosphere. If I was to criticise anything, it's how crazy young Harry looks on the cover of The Deathly Hallows, but then I guess it's just part of the illustrator's style?

What does everyone else think of them?

[February Fortescue]

Love those, Joey ^^ Very action oriented, which I prefer.

I really enjoy Christ McGrath's work on the Dresden Files series.



In this series, I really like the main character and I like the image of him, alone, fighting against what ever evil comes his way. Not that his character is usually alone, not that I want him to remain that way, but he often teams up with different people against different foes. Whatever happens, he takes it on, even if he's all he has, and the odds are against him. To me, the covers portray that sense of aloness.

[Niniel Sanders]

Robert Ingpen is the best cover artist I know.
He also illustrates a lot of these books inside. Seriously, if you ever get the chance, take a look at one of his books in a bookstore if you see them - or google some of these titles with Robert Ingpen. It's gorgeous.


- Cover art by Robert Ingpen (if that wasn't obvious )

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

A lady whose work I enjoy tremendously (see my siggy) is Susan Seddon Boulet. She did the cover art for The Wood Wife, by Terri Windling (one of the most magical stories I've ever read).

[Arianna Stonewater]

There is a series of books, The Wheel of Time, which I totally love. The only thing that I consistently didn't like about the books was the covers -- they definitely were not my cup of tea! Then, for the last book, A Memory of Light, they changed the cover artist to Michael Whelan.

My husband and I totally agree with you! He was so bummed when they came out with the new cover art, because we had already bought the other books. We actually ended up selling our original copies so that we could buy the new ones.

[Arianna Stonewater]

I love the simplest, hardback covers. I love images, absolutely, but what I really love are nice fonts. Like the Harry Potter books. I have the trunk that has all of the books in hardcover, and I absolutely love it! But then these came out:



Now, I haven't sold my original books because hey, I bought the whole set in the trunk for $35 in a silent auction, but still, i want them so bad! When Barnes & Noble started coming out with the "Classics" series (where they've been having classic tales like 1001 Arabian Nights and Pride and Prejudice reprinted and bound in a hardcover book) I can't even tell you how excited I was! I mean, can you imagine, one day walking into your library (or living room filled with wall-to-wall bookshelves!) lined with books like this:




I love a good cover, but nothing beats a beautifully bound hardback book with a gorgeous engraved font

[Arianna Stonewater]

Love those, Joey ^^ Very action oriented, which I prefer.

I really enjoy Christ McGrath's work on the Dresden Files series.

In this series, I really like the main character and I like the image of him, alone, fighting against what ever evil comes his way. Not that his character is usually alone, not that I want him to remain that way, but he often teams up with different people against different foes. Whatever happens, he takes it on, even if he's all he has, and the odds are against him. To me, the covers portray that sense of aloness.

This is one of my favorite series!!! I keep wishing he'd write a little bit faster (without ruining the quality of the books). The cover art has always been great at giving you a taste of what's in the book without giving up any kind of plot whatsoever!