Another poster (here’s the previous one) for my favorite Twin Cities movie house: The Trylon.
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 6
So, I’m continuing the cover process for the Beta Testing the Apocalypse cover. Previous parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In the last post, I was showing the evolution of the color. This time I’m focusing on the type design.
This was the first iteration. I wanted to typographically mirror the ‘beta testing’ concept by having some kind of wireframe version of the type present… it was a little too much.
I still wanted they type to be somehow active… but not quite as hyperactive as here.
This is pretty close to what I settled on. The drawing had so much going on in it, that I decided the type needed to be more subtle and clean… so the two elements won’t compete with each other.
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 5
The next task was color. I started out by blocking out areas that were closer to the viewer… more in focus.
I ended up subdividing the line art into three ‘layers’ apparent below. Initially I wanted a limited 2-3 color palette… but it quickly became obvious that the detail demanded something else…
I eventually settled on this general color palette… but it still needed more.
This is how the final color scheme ended up.
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 4
If you’re just joining us, check out parts 1, 2, 3.
It took me a while to work up the nerve to ink this thing. Normally I would’ve inked most of the building with rules & rapidographs. But I decided against it… Since everything was so rigidly planned out, I wanted to have a more organic line in the finishing process. Click on the image to super-size.
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 3
A few quick tests of the pencils with type & color.
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 2
After the cover concept was approved it was time to pencil… this was the most complicated drawing I’ve done in a long time… maybe since architecture school? Click on the image for full-sized glory.
CAKE 2013
I’ll be at CAKE in Chicago this weekend. I’ll be there running the Uncivilized Books table and signing Beta Testing the Apocalypse at the Fantagraphics table. Uncivilized Books is debuting four (4) (!!) books at the show:
- Incidents in the Night by David B.
- Amazing Facts and Beyond by Kevin Huizenga and Dan Zettwoch (both will be in attendance)
- Sammy the Mouse Book 2 by Zak Sally (who will also be there!)
- and Over the Wall by Peter Wartman (he will be there too!)
We’ll also have copies of our recent releases by Michael DeForge and Dash Shaw, as well as the Eisner nominated Post York!!
I will also be showing previews of my upcoming Trans Terra and… Twin Cities Noir where I have an all-new 10-page comic (more on that later). It’s going to be an intense weekend! See you all there!
Beta Testing Cover Process Part 1
Over the next few posts, I’m going to show some process imagery of the Beta Testing the Apocalypse cover. Here are the original two ideas for the cover… idea 2 won the day in the end.
