Tuesday, May 17, 2011

THE DEATH OF...ME

Last year I was hired to illustrate a picture book titled "The Death of Yorik Mortwell". How could I pass up a job with a title like that. When publishers think of me, they think of death. Or visa versa. Regardless of which way you look at it, I'm the "go to" guy for all things grim. The book, written by Stephen Messer, is a very fantastical and ghastly little gem. It was full of visual nuggets that inspired my grey matter to erupt in a fury of imagination. I enjoyed illustrating this book immensely. It is full of dead children, monsters from another dimension, tree and earth spirits and the macabre. The little correspondence I had with Stephen Messer was pleasant and we seemed to share a common goal for the look of the book. After all, Edward Gorey was a huge influence for us both. The art director on the project was also amazing and fought for me and my ideas.

So how is it that I am so completely irate with this book?

Just earlier today, I was looking up the release date for one of my books on Amazon. While scrolling through the cover icons, I came across a vertical rectangle that looked like a sample of Rainbow Brite's vomit. I clicked on the image to find out it was the cover of "The Death of Yorik Mortwell" to be released later this fall. My heart dropped. This is not my cover, nor is it a cover that I approved.



There were other illustrations in the book that I had to change because my vision was different than that of the author. I'll be honest. I'm stubborn like a mule and I fight to get my way. But I don't throw a tantrum when things don't work in my favor as long as what is compromised on is successful. This on the other hand is appalling. My name is on the book and it looks like it was part of a grocery store coloring contest. That makes me look completely unprofessional. I don't want this representing my resume.

Maybe I'm missing something. It happens from time to time. Maybe there's an upcoming hippie trend on the rise with teenagers. When you hear "The Death of Yorik Mortwell" do you think of woodstock? I sure don't.



So here is my classic cover, the way I envisioned it to be printed, for you to enjoy digitally. And if you disagree and find the Skittles inspired color palette a more appealing, commercial or artistic approach...then please...put me in my place.



These things will be the death of me.
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19 comments:

  1. The colorful one definitely looks like a 7 Eleven slurpee machine spilled onto the cover of your book. However, a tad bit more color on your original design wouldn't look so bad. Perhaps a compromise is in order - you make sure their version doesn't make it out there, but throw a few muted color into yours to make them happy.

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  2. i love the original. it is much better and so much more fitting.

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  3. the first one looks like they're trying to add the little brightening colors of life to a story about death. pussies.

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  4. Don't despair! Fight for it - they knew what they were getting with you-grim genius! Fuck 'em.

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  5. Maybe the colors are just to catch the attention of little kids?

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  6. Looks like a blacklight poster for an Elton John concert.

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  7. it looks like somebody whose parents paid a lot for their education read somewhere that bright colors make the product POP on the shelf and attract people to separate themselves from their dollar. Too bad they failed to consult you. Grab your lawyer by the ankles and beat them with him.

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  9. Firstly, all sympathies that they changed it without consulting you - that's a horrible thing to do! HOWEVER, In all honesty, I don't think it diminishes the book's look any - If the cover attracts a section of an audience that you haven't been introduced to before because the cover leaps from the shelf, then that can only be a good thing - they'll get pulled into the images as you intended them to be when they get inside. Also - though I can COMPLETELY relate to the being influenced artistically by Edward Gorey (or Ogdred Weary) standpoint, the colour scheme of the original is a little too close to the Edward Gorey style, and one of the reasons I'm drawn to you as an artist is because you're NOT Edward Gorey, you're NOT anyone else, you're you.

    Just my opinion, which you should accept or discard as you wish :) but, i think there are definite positives to this...also, sometimes you just have to accept it and move on....advice i should take myself once in a while too ;)

    Andy-Lee Fry

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  10. I saw that hideous thumbnail and almost had a heart attack, thinking you had finally given in to the publishing industry's insane desire to foist amateur hues upon our youth.

    Using as many colors as possible is actually repugnant, much in the way that a dreadful singer singing louder is repugnant.

    I understand that you may need to compromise in this case, and there is certainly a way to add color and still retain the right feeling. Good luck!

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  11. HA Rainbow Brite's vomit, That was brilliant, and true. I like your orginal better because it's dark all but the blue boy, which is so cool. Just a hint of color surrounded by darkness. Very nice. It's cute that your pissed. I don't blame you at all. Your a perfectionist, That's why your so awesome!

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  12. O, and it looks like it was done by a girl, :() that hippy lady was hilarious!

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  13. Wow. I mean really, who thought up this color scheme!? The colors are too distracting and don't complement each other! My eyes wander all over this cover and never stay on the boy - which should be the focal point. I understand that children's books are "normally" colorful to be eye catching, but -correct me if I'm wrong- you don't hire Gris Grimly for colorful, much less spastically colorful...

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  14. As soon as I saw this I thought 'This is completely different to what Gris would usually do'. I feel a lawsuit coming on!

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  15. ..when Stephen Messer posted the two covers on his facebook page, i believe i was the only person who was unhappy with the brightly colored version...so many people were raving about it..but something inside of me told me that the new cover was not your idea...i had a feeling that you would be unhappy..as am i...your cover draws me in..the new one pushes me away...

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  16. I like the original that you created - NOT the colored one.

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  17. i find yours incredibly fitting. I love how the only colour within it is the boys skin. I dont know anything about the story other than what you mentioned but the way you designed and coloured the cover tells me there is a little life in a death situation which seems to be the case in the story what with dead children and monsters from other worlds and what not. Such a shame they changed it, so disrespectful to not even tell you either. Some people eh :/ mind boggles!

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  18. The is the perfect example of how color can really change the tone of a book...The Rainbow Brite cover reminds me of a Seussian book printed in the 60s while your version has a really nice Edward Gorey story book vibe to it. I actually prefer your coloring, but maybe a compromise of muted tones complimented by touches of color could work really nicely.

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  19. I liked your article, I will share your article to everyone!!




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