Out of all of the replanned images, I think the original one is the best, I feel it will be the best to show off the movement in the snake, rather than straight patterned lines, or anything too simple. It also allows for space for the title which is helpful. I will use this positioning as a general guideline for the final image, and draw the final position directly onto the final cover to make sure I make best use of the space available.
Once I had sorted the composition, I went on to try to develop the way in which I would produce the image. Inkeeping with the B&W theme of the book, I decided to try out using ink to draw the spines. firstly trying out ink pen (which was too rigid and wasn't easy to get a decent flow out of), then trying printing methods (cut lino into a shape and pressed, this looked okay, but again looked too rigid and uniform for the image). I then went onto masking tape onto paper and painting over it, I liked this effect but once again it was way too rigid.
The last thing I tried was ink with a brush, which seemed to work perfectly, I could get the movement of my arm onto the page which was exactly what I was looking for.
Once I had decided on ink and brush, I started to make simple mockups of the snake, to see what the ink would look like in practise. I like how it looks; even when I make small mistakes I think it makes the image feel even more fluid. After playing around for a good few pages I though I would look a bit thin for a cover of a book.
I watered down some ink and used it to paint out the ribs in the background. I really love how it looks, it creates much more depth to the image and makes it look fuller, I will definitely look to use this in the final image.
After playing around with different weights of brush and different textures. I really liked the way a drier brush looked for the darker lines, and a wet brush for the paler lines. I think this made a really nice contrast and the dryer brush gave the lines a lot more texture and made them much more interesting. I will use this on the final image.
I then tried to work on the skull of the snake, which was a pain in the arse. I need to develop a way to make the skull fit in with the ribs, whilst still looking solid and like a skull. Stand by for update.
Update: I have decided no not use a skull on the cover, reasons being firstly, I can't get the skull to work with the look of the spine I am trying to achieve. With the spine looking really fluid, a clunky skull sat on top just isnt working. secondly, with the aim of the cover to be quite simple, I think another feature definitely detracts from the overall aesthetic of the cover. So instead I will look to use two tails on both the back and the front cover, to keep a simple and patterned look to it.
The title design for the cover was a relatively simple decision, I loved the design on the rough I produced, so I really wanted to use it on the final design, I will alter the dimensions slightly but overall it should look the same. I am planning on writing the author and photographers names on the cover and spine, above and below the title of the book.
Struggles of Development
Aside from the skull, I am struggling to create a simple image; I am a bit of a perfectionist, it has been discussed with Matt and I know it is something I need to move away from, and I am enjoying making rougher and simpler images, which is great because it is beginning to allow me to play around a bit more with my sketchbook with different way of making images. I still have a way to go but it's definitely improving.
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