20 Jun 2011

Redesign a Book Cover Blogfest: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Today I'm taking part in Brenda Drake's Redesign a Book Cover Blogfest Contest. I think the blogfest was an awesome idea and I was really excited to take part as I love playing around with Photoshop and I enjoy making my own mock book covers for my WiPs (see here). I must say the prizes for this contest are exceptional, thanks so much to Cassandra Marshall for her very generous contribution of a professional cover art design- how exciting?!




For my entry I decided to redesign the book cover for Audrey Niffenegger's novel Her Fearful Symmetry, which I've just finished reading. I really enjoyed the book- it's a dark and romantic ghost story with a modern twist and a big dose of the uncanny. One of the book's main themes is mirroring, doubles and doppelgängers, as well as the opposition of life/death, dark/light and warmth/cold and I tried to capture that with the images and effects I used.


[© Anstice Potts, 20/06/2011]

The following stock images were used to create the piece:
Wistful 5 by intergalacticstock @ da
Wistful 4 by intergalacticstock @ da
Egyptian Avenue, Highgate cemetery by John Armagh

I changed the hue and saturation, and brightness and contrast of the background to achieve the winter v summer look and used filter effects and outer glow to make the girl in the background appear more ghostly. I also lightened the girls' hair to make them blonder. What do you think? I really enjoyed doing this and may make some more soon!

UPDATE: I didn't win but I got into the semi-final! Very proud of myself since I'm still quite new to Photoshop.
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14 comments :

  1. Brenda Drake20 June 2011 at 18:13

    Beautiful redesign. I really liked how you worked with it to make the winter vs. summer look. Wonderful job! :D

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  2. Michaele Stoughton20 June 2011 at 21:10

    I like this a lot! Great job!

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  3. Kimberlee Turley20 June 2011 at 21:37

    Shhh! A good photoshop magician never reveals the secrets to their tricks! ; )

    Very beautiful and clean artwork. This looks very professional.

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  4. Unknown20 June 2011 at 22:09

    I wish I could do this well with photoshop! That's a really cool cover!!

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  5. Anonymous20 June 2011 at 22:21

    Gorgeous! I love the new design, the model is beautiful. :D

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  6. Brooke R. Busse21 June 2011 at 05:33

    Madeline, that's because the model is Kristina Horner, the girl from All Caps. XD

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  7. Anstice Brown21 June 2011 at 20:44

    Thanks everyone. It was a really fun blogfest. And I didn't know that about the model, Brooke, thanks for sharing.

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  8. Ellie Garratt23 June 2011 at 10:03

    I'm sorry it took me so long to visit your entry - curse those migraines.

    Your cover is simply stunning. I adored this book and actually think your cover is much, much better than the original. If I need a cover designed, I think I know who to come to!

    Ellie Garratt

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  9. AVY1 July 2011 at 22:53

    I like the picture but maybe not the fonts?

    / Avy
    http://MyMotherFuckedMickJagger.blogspot.com



    ♥

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  10. Anonymous7 July 2011 at 13:38

    I really like this. It is very thought provoking. it's not a book I have read, though i will seek it out. :O)

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  11. Sylvia Ney12 August 2011 at 23:14

    What an interesting concept and fun too!

    I also wanted to remind you about the “Wonderland Giveaway” Blogfest you signed up to be a part. I look forward to your post! http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/07/wonderland-giveaway-blogfest-2011.html

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  12. Small Town Shelly Brown23 August 2011 at 16:02

    What a wonderful job! You're very creative.

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  13. M Pax24 August 2011 at 22:22

    Wow, you did a great job. You should do covers for the rest of us. :D

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  14. cleemckenzie24 August 2011 at 23:42

    Super idea. It certainly makes something stock into something striking.

    I'm here from sparkfest and hope you'll stop by the Write Game to share the spark there.

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