The Road To Illustration Is Paved With Rough Sketches

Clients appreciate choices, and an illustrator’s first idea is not necessarily his best. So it pays to think up several different concepts for an illustration and to sketch them out. It helps an illustrator organize his thoughts, builds credibility with clients, and helps ensure consistently strong results (finals).

Earlier this year, I did the cover art for a book that was self-published through Createspace. I sketched out five ideas for the front cover. Scroll all the way down to see which design was selected by the author. Which would you have chosen?