Need help! Choosing a new book cover. :-)

[Cudedog]

I wish to thank everyone once again in helping me with the design of my book cover. What a GREAT group of women all of you are!!

Here is the original image of the dog, before it was photoshopped. You can see why it was a problem including the dog's body - I needed a standing dog, but this puppy is lying on the floor. I tried three ways from Sunday to make it work, still working on it, but so far it's not happening.

However, I LOVED the eye color (I made the eye color even bluer than it is here) and the fact that the pup was looking directly into the camera sealed the deal!!

I think the second with the volcano. But since my eye isnt healed yet it's all a bit fuzzy yet! Also in first one, the dogs head appears floating without a body, but that may be my eye issue, but it's weird. Now that my vision is beginning to clear, I need to get back to the book!
Velda

Thanks, Velda. Yes, the dog's head does appear to be "floating". It's not your eyes! I have posted the original photo of the dog above - as can be seen, this is a young puppy that is lying down. I managed to PhotoShop the head into looking more like that of a mature dog, and also made the eyes more blue - but am still wrestling with the dog's body.

I will try a few more things, but I am kind of thinking that since this is a fantasy story for young adults, and one of the book's themes is mental telepathy, maybe the floating head is ok? Still mulling this over!

Whenever you are ready, I am happy to send you the latest version of the e-book. . . or you can download it on Amazon for free on Thanksgiving day, as mentioned below.

I like the second one, but with the volcano more in the background and maybe with its colors less bright--like a little hazy?? That way, the girl would stand out more.

Judy, I like the way you think! I'll have to spend some time on that, and see how it looks. Thank you!

I would go with the first because the girl's hair immediately catches my attention. Her hair is lost in the 2nd. VIf the 2nd, I agree with Judy's assessment.

Thanks, Beth! Lots of comments on the girl's hair - I think I am backing away a bit from the volcano image, as I think it might be too "busy". I am trying out various cover images on Amazon, to see which one gets the most interest (i.e., "clicks").

Anne, I like #1. She looks otherworldly. Her and her pup are focus and the bright volcano takes away from that.

Thanks, Shirl! Yes, I think you are right. "Otherworldly" was definitely the "feel" I am going for!

I love the first one. I really like the second one, but I also like the idea of the volcano a little smaller as to appear further in the background. I would definitely pick up and look at the first.

Other worldly is a good description. Also ethereal, and they are. Beautiful.

Not sure I would pick up the second one to look through. I am not “into volcanoes”.

Thanks, Birdie! Yes, "ethereal" is definitely what I am trying for. I also think you might be right about the "volcano thing" - it might just be only me that would go for a volcano book!

I have to agree with everyone's assessment... love her hair in the first and yep Velda the dog does seem to float bodyless
but the volcano takes over in the 2nd one... so why not combine them like someone said minimize the volcano so it's more misty the first would capture my attention even though it's not a genre I usually read... not sure the second one does...but also feel the 1st is incomplete
sheila

Sheila, thanks for your input!! It seems that the "hair" really generates interest, the volcano not so much! This is good for me to know. Question: in what way do you feel the first is "incomplete"? Is it something specific, or just a general feeling?

I agree with the other comments about liking her hair flying up. So maybe a smaller and more hazy volcano in the background, so the girl is more prominent??

Judy, I always like the way you think! Probably I'm going to put the volcano on the "back burner" for now - I'm thinking that with the volcano the image is just too "busy", especially when it is reduced down to "thumbnail" size as it is on the Amazon page.

Her hair in #1 definitely grabbed my attention and I agree with the others about putting the volcano off to the side in the background. It's gorgeous!
Pooker

Thank you, Pooker! I'm thinking "the hair" is winning out. Which do you like the best - "the hair" or the volcano? Are you saying the volcano is gorgeous, or the hair is?

2 cents. This is a fantasy. Her beautiful silver hair and robe etc are referenced. The coloring of the silver sands etc also ... the dog looks dog like but in an elevated way. Looking Special is coloring worked for me.

Thanks, Tina. I think my next "try" will be with the original, more "faded" image, but add in the gold eyes. Hope you are feeling better this morning. Sending prayers your way.

The gold eyes are great. I like the hair color better in the original... It's more silver. But that's being nit picky. And you did a good job with the lower area, the grass fits in better. As to her face shape, I'm good with either. I was originally drawn to her, so I think I still like the first shape and silver hair the best. But definitely with the gold eyes.

Thanks, Beth. You are not being "nit-picky". This is exactly the kind of information I am looking for. As mentioned above, I think I am going to go back to mostly the original image, the only change being the grass and the gold eyes. Keeping the hair more silvery is important - it is a major descriptor of the girl in the book.

I too like the color of her hair better in the first.... did you try adding a hint of the color of the sky from the volcano and see what that did? as I looked at the newest picture I felt something was missing I think it would be easy to do but I think worth looking at if you haven't already
looks good though
sheila

Thanks, Sheila. The "hair" wins the day! I'm keeping your suggestion about the sky color for a later version. I think it would look cool!

I prefer the first one, especially the lighter tone of her skin. It seems darker on the shaded side in the newer version. I think it looks better lighter. Would it be possible to raise the grass a little higher to cover up the fact there’s no body for the dog?
Sandi

Thanks, Sandi! I appreciate your comments! Yes, I am agreeing with you that the lighter tone looks better - will be adding in the gold eyes to the lighter image to see how that works. It is very interesting to me that most everyone seems to like the original image version the best. I could easily rise the grass a litter higher - I'll give that a try! Blending the dogs body into the image has been a bit of a problem - in the original photo it is a puppy lying on the floor, so I will need to look around and see if I can find an image of a dog standing up.

THANKS EVERYONE!! I

If any of you thinks of anything else you would like to add to this discussion, please do so! I honestly and completely welcome your input.

As a kind of "Thank You", and as encouragement to all readers everywhere during these most difficult times, I have made both of my books, "Christmas Jones" and this new one, "The Rhond Growers" (aimed at young adults) available as free e-book downloads on Thanksgiving day on Amazon.

Nothing to "join", no "trail subscription" - just free to anyone, anywhere, who might like to give either of them a whirl.

"Jones": http://www.amzn.com/B07PLLJZHQ
"The Rhond Growers" http://www.amzn.com/B08JYX79H3

If any of you decide to download the book (again, it will be a free e-book download on Thanksgiving day) and as you are reading it you find errors, or would like to make suggestions or further comments - please DO let me know! One of the nice things about publishing on Amazon is that things can be changed/corrected even after publication.

Probably there will be further changes/corrections as time goes by - I am waiting on input from a couple of friends, please feel welcome to add yours.

Lastly, if you like either of these books, I invite you to leave your review on the Amazon page.

Thanks again!

Anne

[MandysMom]

In the watercolor stamping, which I'm learning, I've learned the importance of shadows. Using a fairly neutral blue or grey. Could you experiment with adding shadows to the dog, rather than trying to blend his body away? Take a look at Bonnie Krebs videos on her Art Imoressions channel on YouTube. She has really shown me how just a light blue shadow can pop most ant item up and create depth. Watch a couple of her snow videos and she always shows what shadow dies. She is painting along then gets to shadows and the image comes to life.
Velda

[BirdbyBird]

Anne I have to add that the apparent structure and stature of the beautiful
Dog worked for me maybe because I’ve been to so many dog show where a specific stunning specimen of a dog show up in those group and BIS rings. These are the multiple BIS winners that look so sculpted as to be in real.... they are the dogs that take ones breath away.... the dog on the original cover did that to me...