In keeping with previous posts about how I developed my
cover art, I’m showing the path to completion of my latest release, Staurolite: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Four.
Staurolite: Enchanted
Bookstore Legend Four by Marsha A. Moore
Enchanted Bookstore
Legends (series description):
When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a
series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from
destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role,
Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir
magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra
becomes the Scribe.
To maintain the same look for the series, I’ve held to a
similar technique. I begin with a very basic watercolor of the character of
Lyra, my heroine. As this series has progressed, I’ve been painting less with
brush on paper and more with Photoshop. However, I do like the softness and
texture of the watercolor underneath. It adds to the feel I wanted for these
covers.
Next, the watercolor image is scanned. It is digitally cut
from the background paper and color corrected, before adding to the background.
This background required more work than usual, since magical dragonflies,
rocks, grass, etc. seemed to be in the wrong places.
Here’s the cover with some of those changes as well as some painting accomplished on the character.
Here’s the cover with some of those changes as well as some painting accomplished on the character.
After many more hours and crossed eyes, working on painting
and lighting effects, here is the final image. I’m pleased with how the look
fits with the others in the series.
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Romance
Description:
Lyra McCauley, current Scribe of the Alliance, is the only
one who can decode magic hidden in the recently retrieved ancient texts written
by her ancestors, the first four Scribes. Information in those writings can help
Lyra locate the four missing keystones, which will restore power to the
Alliance and allow overthrow of the Dark Realm. With peace restored, she and her
beloved, Cullen, could finally marry.
Time is short with the Black Dragon’s Dark Realm increasing
attacks to avenge the death of his heir. Many innocent lives are lost. Alliance
residents are forced into hiding. Magicals and blue dragons follow leadership
of the Imperial Dragon and the other three Guardians into battle to defend the
Alliance.
While Lyra unlocks the ancient magic, she opens herself up
to scribal powers from her ancestors. She alone can fight the deadliest of the
Dark Realm’s forces—the cimafa stealth dragons—but at a cost. The energy flux
threatens her health and ability to learn where to find the missing keystones.
Can Lyra overcome this shrewd tactic of the Black Dragon to decimate the
Alliance?
Purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCW98P2
The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are
about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her
family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in
Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day.
Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil
factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast
implications.
Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl,
when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those
enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of
Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen.
These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in
his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.
When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a
series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from
destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role,
Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir
magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra
becomes the Scribe.
Purchase Links for previous books in the series:
