Permalink

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Cover Portfolio Dos and Don’ts

Irene Gallo, the art director for Tor Books, has a blog on which she’s posted a great primer for aspiring Sci-Fi and Fantasty book cover artists in response to the old question, “What do I put in my portfolio?”

Much of the advice can apply to all artists. Some examples:

START WITH YOUR BEST PIECE
There’s never a second chance to make a first impression. Make people want to turn the page.

NEVER APOLOGIZE
If you are showing off a portfolio you are asking a busy person to spend time looking at your best work in its best presentation. Never explain why the image didn’t come out as well as you hoped or how bad the print looks. It will either make me nervous that you’ll run into the same problems on my job or make me wonder why you are having me look at a portfolio that even you feel is not ready.
It’s surprising but people do this all the time. The best artists can point out mistakes in their paintings…but they don’t. Be professional and stand by your work.

IMPRESS, DON’T EMBARRASS
I’ve had people get on their knees and beg for a chance. This kind of behavior embarrasses the art director and should embarrass the artist. Don’t chase an art director at inappropriate moments, such as an awards ceremony, while at dinner, etc.

See the full list. (via BoingBoing)

  • http://mikefacey.com/ Mike Facey

    This post was really helpful. I’ll be actively checking her blog for guidance.

  • http://mikefacey.com Mike Facey

    This post was really helpful. I’ll be actively checking her blog for guidance.

  • http://www.theacne.info/ Matt Dave

    The cover that has been posted is really good and it seems as if lot of hardwork has been put into that. This provides many useful and helpful details. Thnx for tht!

  • http://www.theacne.info Matt Dave

    The cover that has been posted is really good and it seems as if lot of hardwork has been put into that. This provides many useful and helpful details. Thnx for tht!

  • http://jedalexander.blogspot.com/ Jed Alexander

    I like that she prefers a little naturalism in the figures but still–it seems like most sci-fi book cover art carries an idealized, highly rendered look that was institutionalized some time in the late 70s.

    This is generally the case with most genre fiction book covers–the art is fairly conservative, and the only real exceptions I’ve seen–at least by and large–have been young adult book covers where you’re more likely to see a watercolor or a pastel or something a little more diverse than the ultra rendered, ultra slick stuff you see on Romance and Sci Fi. I just think the audience for genre fiction would be receptive to, and is ready for a change.

  • http://jedalexander.blogspot.com Jed Alexander

    I like that she prefers a little naturalism in the figures but still–it seems like most sci-fi book cover art carries an idealized, highly rendered look that was institutionalized some time in the late 70s.

    This is generally the case with most genre fiction book covers–the art is fairly conservative, and the only real exceptions I’ve seen–at least by and large–have been young adult book covers where you’re more likely to see a watercolor or a pastel or something a little more diverse than the ultra rendered, ultra slick stuff you see on Romance and Sci Fi. I just think the audience for genre fiction would be receptive to, and is ready for a change.

  • SMurph

    From the comments, now I’m really curious about which LE Modesitt cover Tor had problems with…

  • SMurph

    From the comments, now I’m really curious about which LE Modesitt cover Tor had problems with…

  • http://www.joshcochran.net/ Josh

    totally agree with you Jed

  • http://www.joshcochran.net Josh

    totally agree with you Jed