Smee Again

Here are a couple that a friend asked me to do for her - not quite as pulpy but similar sort thing.

I haven't posted in an age it seems. Still, now that I have Affinity Publisher, I'm keen to get into typesetting. To train myself up, I thought I would hunt down a few classics in the public domain, which in turn is going to mean book covers. I've found that Lulu do pocketbook sized paperbacks and so that's what I've prepared this for (it's only about 4in x 7in.) - obviously, I won't have the wear and tear on there for printing a book for myself but it looks good for display.
I've based the layout on the same source as my first post here and will continue using it for other classics I practice on as I like the idea of using the top and spine colour to indicate genre, while the layout provides branding more than the logo does. I must admit that I'm quite looking forward to reading this book again, as well has having it back on my bookshelf (it was something lost in a move). 

I've been working on how to create book covers that imitate those of the pulpy paperbacks of years past. The idea was to work on a method that others could use as a viable - and so necessarily cheap - option for the self and Indie publishing market. I had been making do with an old version of Photoshop Elements that came with my Bamboo Fun & Touch tablet but decided to take the plunge and try Affinity Photo when I got a new computer, and that turned out to be a very good decision.
So... I start off in a program nobody likes to mention - Poser. I'm not too fussy about render settings as so much is changed in post, what matters is the figure, the posing, and the lighting. The result is then opened in Affinity Photo, where I start with some adjustment layers (highlights/shadows, brightness/contrast, colour balance), along with a plug-in from Topaz called Simplicity. This result is then saved out and opened up in a paint program called Art Rage and then attacked with an oil brush and knife to leave me with a faux painting.
In Affinity Photo, I've been building some book cover templates and the faux painting is introduced there, with some wear and tear added for a display version. The two designs I've posted here were both based on Mike Shayne covers (the first is one I've seen copied by other publishers, the second is a bit of a classic - enough for someone to have created a font based on it).
For very simple designs like this - ie a single figure with one or two props, and also assuming a cover design template is used, then the production time can be between 2-3hrs. I believe that someone more skilled than myself can probably do both a better job of it and at a faster time but even at my speed, I think this could mean a low enough cost for the target market. I don't think I'm ever going to be sufficiently happy with my own efforts to enter that market myself (or, to be honest, with enough free time), so I would like to encourage others to have a go themselves.

Hello everyone here is another branding and marketing project I've been working on for Jason's Building Design made with Affinity Designer on the iPad Pro.   What do you think?   Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great day.   Andrew - Made by Campfire  www.madebycampfire.com  

Probably a bit "overcooked" for most tastes, but I liked the way it came out.
 

Three Part Image 3600 x 600m
All vector object compilation build from 4 embedded file layers 
AD 1.7.1  tested in Publisher at 3600 x 600mm spread

Camouflage: Part I
Left Section 
1200 x 600 mm 300dpi (3600 x 600mm spread)
Raster image uploaded at:4960 x 2480

Camouflage: Part II
Centre Section
Version 2.0: 1200 x 600 mm 300dpi
Raster image uploaded at:4960 x 2480

 
Camouflage: Part III
Right Section
Version 2.0: 1200 x 600 mm 300dpi 
Raster image uploaded at:4960 x 2480
 

Camouflage: Full image
Three combined images
Version 2.0: 3600 x 600 mm HQ jpeg (0.15 scale)
 

After "Help Wanted", i would "Competent Landscaper Needed."
Contact info on leaf might work, but lose the flame. Wpn't work unless you're planning to have it burned down.

How about making it more about the challenge? Instead of saying “Help Needed”, what about saying something along the lines of: “Contractors, I bet you can’t fix this” or “Impossible Gardening Challenge”. Try making people want to do it out of pride - or whatever - rather than asking for help. Also, try and make the photo a little darker, foreboding and moody. A scary place that needs making better. I’ve attached a very quick-and-crude sample in case it helps in some way.
I agree that the fire looks out-of-place. It’s not necessary in this instance.
I only recently purchased Photo and the sheer amount of features and tools is a bit daunting, even though I’ve been using GIMP for years. Sometimes having so many options can slow down the creative process. With so many options it’s difficult to choose what to try next.

Probably a bit "overcooked" for most tastes, but I liked the way it came out.
 

After "Help Wanted", i would "Competent Landscaper Needed."
Contact info on leaf might work, but lose the flame. Wpn't work unless you're planning to have it burned down.

$99.00 Nikon L340 for this shot.

Not really able to do so satisfactorily. Curves do help, but I was never happy with it. I'll post an example shortly.
Anyhow, I think I improved the image I started this thread with. To some extent, I wanted some of the rings (that's why I  chose the original textures, but indeed they were too much.
It isn't finished, but I think I'm getting closer.

Here are some screenshots of a graphic pitch I have worked on. I used Affinity Designer to create graphic labels and texturing maps. Photo was used for some simple easy colour correction. A colleague of mine asked me what is on fire because of the orange sparkles I guess it was the computer during rendering.
Then I used the renders to create a demo animation. Unfortunately this project was not developed into anything real  but at least I learned some new things  
Watermarked demo music is from Musicbed - https://www.musicbed.com/songs/seeds/36381
 

Madmonq_Animation.mp4

Just sharing some random improvements (?) I did.
 
(Yes, I  forgot to flip the cacti pot for correct light direction… maybe next time.  )
 
 

Was just testing some new things in Affinity Designer 1.7.1 and had this random blob (curve) on the screen, and it looked like an animal, so —a tiny bit later— this came out. Tested the new stroke arrow options too (the feet).
 
The vectorised voronoi pattern was generated with CINEMA 4D, rendered out, passed through "potrace", and then imported as curve into Affinity Designer. Not sure that's the best way, but works for me.

I know it's somewhat stupid, but I made some quick friends. 
 
 

Not stupid at all.  Your "random blobs" are delightful!  They would make wonderful illustrations for a children's book.  I particularly like their smiles.  These are such friendly chaps!!

Hi,
I usually keep images of illustrators I like or admire, and sometimes, if I have time, I try to redo their work to learn new things.
Those 2 examples were perfect to test the new isometric tools of Designer. And a pleasure to do.
This one, from David Wildish, was fun and full of memories of Nitendo 64 and playing with bro and cousins


 
This one is from Sir Carma, from his serie Carved Cities. Some others memories, when I was a student and we used a 1cm cardboard to make models, and it kind of remind me of perpective courses.


The difficult part was to correct the colours in AD (selective correction adjustement behave strangely with black — strokes that needed to be redder — on an RVB image…)
 

Not really able to do so satisfactorily. Curves do help, but I was never happy with it. I'll post an example shortly.
Anyhow, I think I improved the image I started this thread with. To some extent, I wanted some of the rings (that's why I  chose the original textures, but indeed they were too much.
It isn't finished, but I think I'm getting closer.

Not really able to do so satisfactorily. Curves do help, but I was never happy with it. I'll post an example shortly.
Anyhow, I think I improved the image I started this thread with. To some extent, I wanted some of the rings (that's why I  chose the original textures, but indeed they were too much.
It isn't finished, but I think I'm getting closer.

So, while working on the above image, I run across an idea of using "blend-if" to create luminosity masks. I figure I'll give it a whirl.
I'll post the original image (reduced size of course, and crop a bit different) and then the image with the "blend-if" luminosity adjustment (and a bit of sharpening) to show the results. While I'm not as accurate yet (don't really get the blend if in Affinity photo, more familiar with Paintshop still), I think the results of the experiment were rather good.
First image is the original, second is after luminosity masking applied.

So, while working on the above image, I run across an idea of using "blend-if" to create luminosity masks. I figure I'll give it a whirl.
I'll post the original image (reduced size of course, and crop a bit different) and then the image with the "blend-if" luminosity adjustment (and a bit of sharpening) to show the results. While I'm not as accurate yet (don't really get the blend if in Affinity photo, more familiar with Paintshop still), I think the results of the experiment were rather good.
First image is the original, second is after luminosity masking applied.

A quick effort with Affinity Designer.

Two images combined to make this bit of an abstract Marigold. Blend If, color layer, mirror filter, and blend modes.

Two images combined to make this bit of an abstract Marigold. Blend If, color layer, mirror filter, and blend modes.