How to create a book cover illustration (Case Study: Sultan and Charlemagne and the Wild Winds of Time)

 Images can say so much more than words and with the cover art we wanted to convey Sultan's larger-than-life charisma, while at the same time making sure that the little cat on his back (Charlemagne, of course) doesn't completely disappear from view. There's quite a size difference between an elephant and an ordinary cat. Preparations began with several elephant drawing for practice, which weren't worth publishing here. This early concept drawing was done with soft pastels. 

The cat in this early sketch was a little crude and the red lines and paw prints didn't really work. So I switched to my treasured Colleen colored pencils to be able to show greater detail on our two animal protagonists.

The background was done with oil pastels (one of my favorite mediums). Here detail was less important than strong color. 

I added lettering, just to see how the white on blue would look. 

The finished illustration on the sketch pad. It was done in A3 size. We experimented with different fonts and even different colors for the lettering. 

Would you have gone with the red lettering instead? At this point we decided to make Sultan's blanket a brighter red as well, which looks so much better.

The final version. From the first sketches to here took about two weeks. Don't forget, Sultan and Charlemagne and the Wild Winds of Time will still be available at 75 percent off on all platforms until 30 June 2026. Click the link below to go to the sales portal. (You know you want to!)

https://books2read.com/u/bWwLWM

75 percent OFF for 75 days... Book Promotion for Sultan and Charlemagne and the Wild Winds of Time

"The tale of Sultan and Charlemagne oozes with old world charm and a sense of wonder. As the two animal protagonists tumble on a romp through time and space, they also learn more about the value of life on our beautiful blue-green planet. The story is told with great vision, insight and imagination."

Sultan and Charlemagne and the Wild Winds of Time was written by my late cousin, Ben, a mischievous storyteller, whose insatiable curiosity made him into a well-read visionary, who was always full of ideas and suggestions on how to make the world a better place. These noble sentiments found a focus in an endearing fable in which the adorable young elephant Sultan and his accidental companion, Charlemagne the cat explore human history through the lens of their innocence. My main contribution to this project was the cover illustration, a mixed media work of colored pencils, oil pastels and black ink.

Starting tomorrow, the ebook will be available for only 99c across various platforms. This promotion will last until the 30th of June. After that, it will be available at that price for an additional 31 days on Smashwords, to coincide with the Smashwords annual Winter/Summer Sale. 

Follow our adventurous friends Sultan and Charlemagne by clicking on the link below. Happy reading.

https://books2read.com/u/bWwLWM

Watching the Grass Grow...

When I was a kid, one of our projects was growing beans. You know the stages: wrinkled skin on day one; then that fracture through which the root pushes; the first sight of greenery... And so on...

Fast forward to today, and I find that same simple pleasure in growing pet grass for my (mostly indoor) cats. About two weeks ago, I began a new grass patch and decided to document the process. 

Day one: Nothing to see. To begin the process, you have to punch a few holes at the bottom on the container and then add water to the mulch and seed. 

Day three: Beginnings. Look closely and you'll see the beginnings of an almost translucent root system at the bottom of the container.

I'm not the only one taking an interest. Leo's also taking note. Behind him, the old patch, which really needs to be replaced.

Day five: they're here! The first blades are breaking ground. 

Day seven: everything green. It's difficult to imagine now that there was nothing a mere seven days earlier. This is the fun part. You can literally see them growing.

Leo is happy with the results. Every morning he spends some quality time presiding over his grass. He doesn't eat that much of it, but he loves to wash it.

Sleeping through #Caturday (sharing a sketch and a little extra)

 

Just a sketch on a Saturday afternoon...

And a little fun with watercolors...

Friday Flash Fiction - John Sable

Everybody remembered the Great Crash of '27. The crash that killed the line. There was soot for weeks after. Old folks coughing. Trucks to take away all the bodies. 

When the ravine finally stopped smoking, Eli climbed down. He had to know. Was this Number 847? Big John Sable? If only his Grandpaw was here to see.

Two days later, he was back with soap and polish. As he cleared away the broken branches, he discovered a line of sorts beneath the iron wheels. Well, almost a line.

The footplate rumbled beneath his hiking shoes, and as he looked out, he no longer saw the tomb of the familiar valley. Only Big John Sable. Gleaming and ready. With the hiss of old steam and even older memories, number 847 was waking again, slowly meandering towards stations previously unseen. 

(Been so long since I last shared one of these, it seems that #FlashFriday is no longer a thing. Or rather it has morphed into another thing. Nevermind. Hope you all enjoy this story - Carine)

Image credit: hpgruesen on Pixabay

Nu-Grimm Variations on Familiar Fairy Fales

If Charlie Brookner used anime as a medium and decided to tackle the timeless folktales of Willem and Jacob Grimm. That's how I would describe The Grimm Variations, because you soon realize that although there are momentary hints of stylistic sweetness, it's counter-balanced by unsettling realities that have nothing in common with the magical charm of Ghibli-land. 

In episode one we meet a Cinderella who kills with kindness. Lady Kiyoko is delighted when her father marries again, and she gains two sisters in the bargain. But then the gaslighting begins.

Episode two amplifies the menace of a big bad wolf hunting tender female flesh in a futuristically virtual environment. 

Hansel and Gretel must choose between the stark environment of an institution under the iron rule of the stern "mama" and "papa" and questions raised by the subversive ideas of the old woman they meet in the forest. 

N, a former literary prodigy, struggles to reprise past successes. But then he publishes The Elves and the Shoemaker - at the same time living its theme of benefiting from the labor of a secret, magical helper. The current discourse around AI-assisted writing makes episode four particularly relevant.

The musicians of Bremen (episode 5) become a metaphor for girl power and found family in a Wild West setting. Unlike the preceding episodes, which featured a jazzy soundtrack, this one draws on moody, bluesy rock interpretations of classical Beethoven. 

The story of the Pied Piper is about the irresistible attraction exerted by a stranger upon an isolated village.  About exchanging the oppressive familiarity of xenophobia for the uncertain thrill of exploration. About the power of music and the fact that self-discovery is a one-way-street from which there is no return. 

Each installment is framed by an exchange between the scholarly Grimm brothers and their adorable younger sibling. 

The themes of each of the stories are timeless and serve well as a lens that shapes our future dreams and nightmares, the fault-lines inherent in our society. The unsettling relationship between hunter and hunted has become a template for story genres as diverse as romance and horror. The oppressed angel of virtue makes compelling political drama, inviting narratives about victimhood being donned as costume and becoming an identity. The fear of unearned success lies at the very heart of the imposters syndrome that plagues so many creatives. And sometimes only the blind courage of innocents and fools can defeat cruelty and corruption powered by self-interest. 

We have interacted with versions of these tropes for hundreds of years. And they remain accessible even today.

Trigger warnings: The stories contain violence, disturbing scenes and adult situations. They are not for kids. 

Snowpiercer: A Reaction to the Eternal Engine

When I told my friend that I had started watching Snowpiercer, I described it as hectic and messed-up. He replied that that was an accurate assessment. But I finished the series last night and what a ride it's been. 

Snowpiercer is set in an apocalyptic hellscape covered with snow, where one high-speed train houses what's left of humanity (and a few random other creatures). The train was created as a billionaire's wet dream where a privileged few could survive in the lap of luxury, supported by a crew of necessary workers in third class. But at the last moment, there was a stampede and the tail was occupied by as many of the unticketed masses who could squeeze in at the last moment. Everyone grieves. Everyone lost so much. Adaptation is survival, but among the lowest of the low, a revolution is brewing. 

It's a compelling story and it grew on me. Not to mention that the train Snowpiercer is a wonder and the development of subcultures and ceremonies aboard the train makes it feel authentic and real. The leads Andre Layton (played by Daveed Diggs) and Melanie Cavill (played by Jennifer Connelly) are each driven by visions that are at times overpowering and lead them to make heartbreaking sacrifices. 

Snowpiercer was based on a French graphic novel by Jacques Lob and was previously filmed by director Bong Joon-ho. It is available for streaming on Netflix. 

Sexiest character: The train Snowpiercer 

Best performances: Sean Bean as Wilford (why is he so good at doing characters that are morally compromised); Alison Wright as Ruth; Mickey Sumner as Bess Till. 

Best Bromance: Bennett and Javi. 

Most interesting character arc: John'Oz' Osweiler 

Character I would have loved to see more of: The Last Australian. 

Trigger warning: violence; suicide 

Most tragic passenger: Asha 

Scariest characters: The Drs Headwood 

Most breathtaking moment: When Javi says "I'm at the bridge." 

Most inhuman display of courage: Josie