Constable & Robinson recently contacted me to design the upcoming hardcover adaptation of Mark Evans' Bleak Expectations – a Radio 4 comedy series which parodies the work of Charles Dickens. The story pokes fun at all the familiar stereotypes: asylum-ridden mothers, pitiful orphans, cruel headmasters, and so on.
On a side note, Mr. Evans is also responsible for the BBC Two TV series The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, which plays on many of the same themes as Bleak Expectations, and stars the likes of Robert Webb, David Mitchell, and Stephen Fry. And seeing as how this is probably the closest association I will ever have with Stephen Fry, I might as well take this chance to brag about it.
Anyway, the book has plenty of material to work with, and the art director Sarah Castleton was very encouraging about making the cover both beautiful and funny. I did a few sketches utilizing classic motifs of victorian design, with a comedic twist and plenty of little details to look for:
The dark blue sketch was approved, with the decision to quiet down the gold decorations a bit.
And there you have it.
On a side note, Mr. Evans is also responsible for the BBC Two TV series The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, which plays on many of the same themes as Bleak Expectations, and stars the likes of Robert Webb, David Mitchell, and Stephen Fry. And seeing as how this is probably the closest association I will ever have with Stephen Fry, I might as well take this chance to brag about it.
Anyway, the book has plenty of material to work with, and the art director Sarah Castleton was very encouraging about making the cover both beautiful and funny. I did a few sketches utilizing classic motifs of victorian design, with a comedic twist and plenty of little details to look for:
The dark blue sketch was approved, with the decision to quiet down the gold decorations a bit.
And there you have it.
Hey, keep this blog!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy all your process and results!
Congratulations for all beautiful works!
I think it's awesome exactly how it is! Thanks for sharing.
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