Possibly a little too scary for a SSMM Book 3 cover
Added 2023-11-23 13:37:55 +0000 UTCTrying to communicate a cover idea to an artist is a skill all of its own.
I do not think that I necessarily succeeded here.
The Cephlapod is far more sinister-looking than I had intended.
Removing the head and leaving the tentacles I think might work better.
That being said I did pay for it with money earned from Patreon so felt it was only fair to share.
Thoughts?
Comments
I thought it was more squid like? 🐙
Fortunis
2023-12-19 01:58:55 +0000 UTCum... why does he look like a Japanese peasant, just needs a conical straw hat. Also, I agree that remove the head leave the tentacles and you have an adventure story. Leave the head and you have a mythos story
A disgruntled nondescript squirrel
2023-12-01 18:52:18 +0000 UTCIf this was an [Undead Cephalopod], it would fit perfectly. But right now it does not appear as a living marine monster.
lenkite
2023-11-25 02:19:40 +0000 UTCMy favorite Kraken and pretty human picture is by NadegdaMihailova Kraken.
Bettina
2023-11-24 15:54:49 +0000 UTCMaybe just lower the head so that the eyes show but not the mouth? I think it’s the teeth that throw me off. But you need something in that spot be it the ship or a different head. I agree with another reviewer that Kai’s size took me by surprise the first time I saw him (more a 14 year old than 5) but I think that’s because there’s no one next to him for comparison. But generally I think it’s a cool cover :)
Catherine
2023-11-23 22:14:41 +0000 UTCIt looks rather like the cover of a horror novel. The monster is quite horrific, the hero green looking. I wouldn't think him a child from that picture. I am much more likely to look at books with attractive heroes on the cover. The color of the water makes me think you'll need a bath after touching that murky brown brew. Reading about lagoons and beaches had me imagining tropical paradises so far. So something from a travel prospect with a dangerous but not disgusting creature. Ideas for communicating with artists: Show them pictures you like as a base. Looking at Kraken pictures I too thought the only tentacle ones best at being dangerous, but not offputting
Bettina
2023-11-23 18:52:39 +0000 UTCSo, I've written two books with fantasy covers and I'm gonna disagree with the consensus here. The scary face on the cover is the most attention grabbing part of it, and that's almost certainly a *good* thing. Don't underestimate how lucky you are to get a cover that actually pops and gets the reader's attention. Even if it doesn't fit the story in your head, it will get someone to check out your synopsis and possibly dive in. Just my two cents, good luck!
Robert Hinshaw
2023-11-23 18:14:03 +0000 UTCMaybe with the head beneath as it gets out of water, but add more color to the tentacles. Maybe more lighter palet of colors. I find it to much sorrow in this image. The trials and difficulties are not the only thing about the store(I tried to give a feed back😅)
Bonobo
2023-11-23 15:00:37 +0000 UTCDefinitely needs to not have that head there. Removing the head entirely would leave a void in the image and if it is intended to depict the slaying of the beast, rather than the exploiting of the beast against the slavers, then it would be better to shift perspective. A depiction of using the beast against the slaver ship would be easier to draw as far as filling the scene, but it would be more difficult to find a dramatic moment to pose.
Carl Mason
2023-11-23 14:50:35 +0000 UTCRemove the mouth and it would do wonders for making it less monstrous.
Caleb Reusser
2023-11-23 14:47:02 +0000 UTCa bit creepy
THUATSO TUMA
2023-11-23 14:44:56 +0000 UTCI think you can have a head, just not that head. It looks like an undead/demonic abomination rather than a marine squid/kraken like predator.
Austin lloyd
2023-11-23 14:22:54 +0000 UTCDid you think about generating images with DALL-E
Gabriel Grandjouan
2023-11-23 14:14:58 +0000 UTCChapter 177 for Slavers and feeding frenzy Or Chapter 185 for raising riches to the surface
Notlimah
2023-11-23 13:48:55 +0000 UTCThanks. So it was when he was kidnapped.
Feibel Sebastian
2023-11-23 13:43:50 +0000 UTCFor sure remove the head. Then you could put the slaver ship where it was.
J A.D
2023-11-23 13:43:16 +0000 UTCHe dove into the water and enticed it into attacking his ship above then with the support of his sailors landed the final killing blow.
Notlimah
2023-11-23 13:42:59 +0000 UTCYeah after looking at it again. It does't fit.
Feibel Sebastian
2023-11-23 13:41:13 +0000 UTCWhen did kai face that thing again? I forgot. 😅 But if he faced it i find it ok.
Feibel Sebastian
2023-11-23 13:39:53 +0000 UTCI agree with you. The head just doesn’t fit.
IAMather
2023-11-23 13:39:40 +0000 UTC
