Monday, November 23, 2009

The Kiss Murder :: book cover

tomer :: Illustration is like acting. you need to invest a strand of authentic emotion to make it work. otherwise it feels artificial. So you try to embody, in your head, the protagonist. Let's see: you're a slender man of Turkish descent who's a computer wiz, a private detective, a black belt and an Audrey Hepburn look alike. most prominently you are a transvestite. you sit in your night club, ready to punch someone softly or kiss him to death. either-way it's a deadly move. and then an epiphany: it's in the shoulders-- that potent combination of strength and sensuality. a pair of slender, well defined, boney yet muscular shoulders. a glorious pedestal for your pretty face.


art directed by Roseanne Serra.

happy thanksgiving! don't choke on it.

15 comments:

  1. You really captured the exotic and dangerous feel of the subject matter. The limited color palette is so effective. Killer piece.

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  2. as I slowly scrolled down your sketches, I eventually began to recall the famous illustration it turned into, then wallah! Nice post--I really love seeing successful artists showing their methods, especially through the struggles.

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  3. Anonymous11:02 PM

    Interesting and unusual brief to work from. I like where you've taken it. Just out of curiosity, how did the crowd get nixed??


    Great work, as usual. I love how to work with a limited palette and create such mood within those limitations. Happy thanksgiving.

    Corey

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  4. I really really dig the line about how Illustration is like acting. Very well put. Great image as well, cant decide if I like the alt color or the final.
    -Steve

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  5. Very interesting work. I like the contrast of the sophistication of the dress and jewels and the rough pose of the girl. I would have tried to make something more glamour and I think your choice much more efficient.

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  6. I really like that you show your process.

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  7. it's nice to hear someone else mention that illustrating characters effectively requires imagining yourself as that person. i had a tough time drawing a battlefield full of dead bodies for a book illustration a few years ago because i just couldn't stomach imagining myself dead all splayed out that many times over. the image turned out badly all three times i drew it.

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  8. Well said, and great cover.

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  9. Very beautiful cover illustation.

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  10. I love watching your process and different ideas, and of course, the gorgeous final! :)

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  11. I always love seeing your process work. As an Illustration student, it really helps to understand the fundamentals of what goes into your piece. I agree 100% with delving into the psychology and acting of a character in order to capture their mood for the best possible outcome. Bravo!

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  12. This is really great! I really like the process shots too!

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  13. I love the sly inclusion of the adams apple. All you need to know is on the cover, seeing it is up to you.

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  14. Anonymous5:48 PM

    This is incredible! i go to art center and this kinda stuff keeps me inspired :)

    keep up the good work Tomer :)

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