I'd go with the top one for the text

I like the top one.

By the way. Beautiful illustrations. Like to restart my fan art. Thanks.

The works on the deviantart seems to be of a different in style compared to the book cover art. Is this intensional?

Edited by user Tuesday, June 2, 2015 8:07:14 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

There is still marked difference, though I think it is because the book art is less polished compared to the work in the deviantart page. More sketchy.

Looking at again, I may be differently interpreting what you mean by polish and sketchy.

This image is a bit more detailed than some of the deviant art. And in particular, Tom is drawn with a lot more heavy lines, and is less flowing/fluid than some of his other stuff. This is intentional to give a more gut level fear quality I guess you'd call it.

Ha! It's not just me! I asked the same question when I first saw it and asked, shouldn't he be looking at Lenamare or one of the wizards?

What Tom is supposed to be doing is looking at his hand/claws in terror/fascination. The blue glow is the magic of first formation/materialization.

We went back and forth on the blue light of materialization. If we hadn't done the light, I'd have had the artist draw him looking at Lenamare or Trisfelt.

However, I decided I wanted to keep the blue light since as you shrink the cover it helps Tom stand out as the stones get rather dark towards the top.

So I then decided to keep him looking at his hand/claws because as he forms he's going to be in shock. That's also the expression on his face.

It makes sense, once you know, I think. But wondering if it will be too distracting. Although, I've heard enough about distracting positions/proportions from the first cover that I'm hoping it's still a step up in terms of less weirdness to the first time viewer.

As far as Lenamare drawing too much attention?

I'm sorry, I thought you met the man in book 1? That is sort of who he is! I would not be surprised if he wasn't sending the artist instructions on the side!

It sounds like something he would demand of any image with him in it.

As far as attention to detail...I think it's there, but there is an issue of a) size and b) lighting/shadow.

Here is a full size (scaled down for forum) clip of Triseflet and Lenamre. I can see Lenamare's hair and robe folds. But also remember the idea is to have less detail on non-major characters, so Tom gets the most detail. Look at his scales.

Download (or just click on) this image and open it it is like 1390x1100. The stupid forum software is setting max width and height to be 500 and I can't figure out how to override that code.

He will be gratified by your comments!

And his commanding presence is to a point very intentional. The summoning is a battle of two egos, Tom and Lenamare. Refer back to Edwyrd and Lenamare at dinner. This confrontation between the two is something that haunts both of them. You will see this come back again in book ii.

The demon is raw overwhelming power. But the wizard, a mere mortal, by use of his knowledge and will power can control, dominate and bind this giant monster.

We were really trying to get to 'old school demon summoning' in which the wizard is the hero, not the demon.

Double post, sorry. Website is a little slow and I clicked "post" twice :(.

Edited by user Friday, June 5, 2015 8:51:14 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Double post.

There's a joke art of your cover I think from someguy that does spoofs on book art, for the life of me I can't remember where I saw it but it made me chuckle. Tom had a really silly look on his face. Hmm I am going to feel silly if it wa from here.. But I shall hit post anyways!

Wanted to add your cover art is what cought my eye and made me stop to buy the book. It was original.

Edited by user Sunday, June 7, 2015 3:56:06 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified