On Wednesday some questions …

I have been asked to illustrate the front cover of a book of short stories. I am of course delighted at such a suggestion but after having slept or rather not slept on the matter I am having doubts.  Not about my ability to produce a picture.  Although I have not read the stories yet, as they are being translated,  I will read some at least and be in a position to make a few valid drafts and finished pieces.  

Whether the author like them is a different story.

It is for me the technical stuff while I am an artist, the engineering side of me is asking questions like ‘Sleeve or front cover; there is already tension; which? Do I work to the finished size or larger?

Although I work in the world of publisher’s archives and could see any amount of archival material relating to book jacket design and illustration, these are from the golden age or at least pre-digital and desk-top publishing.  

So while I can look, wonder and learn, the methods used then and now to reproduce the original drawings are poles apart and not helpful to me …. unfamiliar with graphics and desk-publishing or publishing in general

I would value thoughts and guidance.

Meanwhile unperturbed by the material I do have at hand I will look and share over the next few weeks. This image I have shown before but nonetheless evocative and food for thought …