Custom Cover Art Thread

[Lt. Brannigan]

Just thought I would drop by and offer an update on my activities for those who care.

I'm reworking my X-Men cover to fit in the Rogue Cut of DOFP, but the only way to do this is to split them up into two different volumes. Which I have done, with volume one being the 6 Disc Original Trilogy and Vol 2 being Origins - DOFP. And for those wondering, Apocalypse will start off volume 3 as it I consider it a brand new start for the franchise.

Also I have been busy designing some Disney collection covers utilizing Thomas Kinkade paintings, they are a little too busy but I am pleased with them so far.

And I have been working on some covers for Schwarzenegger and Lundgren collections. The Lundgren one is awesome, Arnold still needs a lot of work.

In addition to a JP trilogy cover that is giving me fits. I am trying to do something based on the original VHS cover for JP1, but it just isn't coming together.

So that's all for now.

[Keung]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

So, this is a little something that I'm working on. It's a rough work in progress, and will likely be slow going since I'm not as experienced as many other members here.

But I'm a HUGE Back to the Future fan, so I'm working on something for the 30th Anniversary.

Cool idea, but I really don't like the artwork. Character likeness is just way off.

[Guydowood]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

So, this is a little something that I'm working on. It's a rough work in progress, and will likely be slow going since I'm not as experienced as many other members here.

But I'm a HUGE Back to the Future fan, so I'm working on something for the 30th Anniversary.

IDW announced that there will be a BTTF comic coming out later this year and some artwork has already been shown. I'm using some of that artwork to make some Blu-Ray covers. I just started tonight. This is a rough work in progress, so don't be too hard on it! (But I do welcome constructive criticism).

Although I am an advocate for original theatrical art to be used on bluray releases from the studios, (which generally we never see all the time) and with all the great talent seen in this thread I am very thrilled to see fresh ideas for certain films that need it. Your take is one of them. Nicely done! I'd like to see you WIP covers for Parts II & III and are you doing one for the animated series discs? Otherwise great job!

[Moviefan2k4]

Notice to all cover artists: FedEx Office has apparently rewritten their policy regarding copyright, covering many uses that all require permission before they will print. I'm guessing they've been facing a lot more lawsuits recently.

Also, Office Depot now has a total ban, on printing anything copywritten by those outside the owner. Just thought you'd all like to know...especially folks like me who don't have their own printer.

[JekYL]

Originally Posted by Nissen

Here's an early preview of some of the spines:

[Show spoiler]

Gorgeous. Love how nostalgic and streamlined these are.

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

So, this is a little something that I'm working on. It's a rough work in progress, and will likely be slow going since I'm not as experienced as many other members here.

But I'm a HUGE Back to the Future fan, so I'm working on something for the 30th Anniversary.

IDW announced that there will be a BTTF comic coming out later this year and some artwork has already been shown. I'm using some of that artwork to make some Blu-Ray covers. I just started tonight. This is a rough work in progress, so don't be too hard on it! (But I do welcome constructive criticism).

[Show spoiler]

Nice. I personally think it's looking really rad. I prefer original poster art usually, but that is looking cool. I dig the art.

Originally Posted by steev210

Yes, I'm working on covers for all 3 Airport sequels using the original poster art. The front covers are done and I'm now working on the backs. Although I'm still inclined to keep the Concorde's title as The Concorde: Airport '79 (instead of '80). Also, I decided to do a cover for the original Airport so all 4 match.

I don't even see a listing for Rollercoaster (Italy release)?????

Awesome. Are these for the french releases of the sequels. Or did North American versions get announced that I missed?! Do you have DVD versions of these covers.

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Notice to all cover artists: FedEx Office has apparently rewritten their policy regarding copyright, covering many uses that all require permission before they will print. I'm guessing they've been facing a lot more lawsuits recently.

Also, Office Depot now has a total ban, on printing anything copywritten by those outside the owner. Just thought you'd all like to know...especially folks like me who don't have their own printer.

Quite a while ago, Staples refused to print my covers me anymore, the manager was adamant on their copyright infringement policy. But I talked to one of the younger dudes working there about it, because he seemed cool and looked like a fellow nerd. I told him how while using movie posters, these were personal custom made covers, and since I was only printing out one of each (not a whole wack of each cover) he shrugged his shoulders and said yeah no problem. They haven't given me any hassle about it since. Probably helps that I try to get a bit friendly with them...

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by JekYL

Quite a while ago, Staples refused to print my covers me anymore, the manager was adamant on their copyright infringement policy. But I talked to one of the younger dudes working there about it, because he seemed cool and looked like a fellow nerd. I told him how while using movie posters, these were personal custom made covers, and since I was only printing out one of each (not a whole wack of each cover) he shrugged his shoulders and said yeah no problem. They haven't given me any hassle about it since. Probably helps that I try to get a bit friendly with them...

Well, I got my covers successfully printed once at Staples...just once. After that, they kept bringing up copyright issues. I understand the studios want to protect their creations, but unless you're selling it or being perverse, what's the harm? Its just frustrating...

[JekYL]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Well, I got my covers successfully printed once at Staples...just once. After that, they kept bringing up copyright issues. I understand the studios want to protect their creations, but unless you're selling it or being perverse, what's the harm? Its just frustrating...

I agree. I would just try warming up to, or getting friendly with one of the clerks. And convincing them to do it, then try to go whenever they're there. It literally only takes them a couple of minutes to print out covers, so even if they're not supposed to, they might just do it anyway...

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by JekYL

I agree. I would just try warming up to, or getting friendly with one of the clerks. And convincing them to do it, then try to go whenever they're there. It literally only takes them a couple of minutes to print out covers, so even if they're not supposed to, they might just do it anyway...

I don't like getting people in trouble, even for something as simple as this. If whoever I ask to print them has a waiver I can honestly sign, I'll do so; otherwise, I'll just wait until I get my own printer.

[JekYL]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I don't like getting people in trouble, even for something as simple as this. If whoever I ask to print them has a waiver I can honestly sign, I'll do so; otherwise, I'll just wait until I get my own printer.

Fair enough. But you won't necessarily get them in trouble. Like I said, I don't get hassle from any of them anymore. Even the manager (who originally refused to do it for me) will print them for me, if she's the only one there that day. I'm guessing the guy I explained things to talked to her about it.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by Keung

Cool idea, but I really don't like the artwork. Character likeness is just way off.

They probably don't have the rights for the actors actual likenesses, especially Crispin Glover and Tom Wilson. I do agree that the likenesses are off, but it's still a fun thing to do for the heck of it.

Originally Posted by Guydowood

[/BD]

Although I am an advocate for original theatrical art to be used on bluray releases from the studios, (which generally we never see all the time) and with all the great talent seen in this thread I am very thrilled to see fresh ideas for certain films that need it. Your take is one of them. Nicely done! I'd like to see you WIP covers for Parts II & III and are you doing one for the animated series discs? Otherwise great job!

Originally Posted by JekYL

Nice. I personally think it's looking really rad. I prefer original poster art usually, but that is looking cool. I dig the art.

Thanks for the complements!

Yeah, I generally prefer the actual poster art, especially for these movies. It drove me NUTS when the movies first came out on DVD in 2002 and they were in that single combined case with the blue coloring and silver writing.

When they finally got individual DVD releases a few years later with the actual poster art, I rebought them all, even though the first movie was the only one with a new bonus disc.

Then when they finally came ot on Blu-Ray 5 years ago, once again they were in a combined package. That time I wasn't going to wait for individual releases. I printed up covers that someone made with the original poster art.


But when I saw the artwork for this upcoming comic, I thought it would make for some cool alternate covers. The likenesses may not be spot on, but I'm kind of looking at it from the view point of being a stylized alternative, kind of like some steelbooks and unique, often exclusive or limited slipcovers. I'm not even certain if I'll end up printing them up for myself. It's just a fun project. I'll share them for those who want them when they are done.


I will be doing all 3 movies. I haven't started Parts 2 or 3 yet, but I'll share some WIPs once I'm far enough along to have something to share.

I'm not planning on doing anything for the animated series release at this time.

I've since made some tweeks to the first movie cover. Nothing really major... just some adjustments so the titling is mote visible. I'm also trying to figure out something to put in the empty blue area to the right of Marty, as it's kind of odd looking as is.

I may end up incorporating the original poster art into the back covers, but I'm not sure yet. I want to get the front covers done first, then come up with a consistent plan for the backs.

[Sukie]

This took me almost forever to make and the first rendition of this is still in my WIP because all I could do is stare at what I have and then nothing comes to mind as how to complete it



Fixed

[SexySamSosa67]

Can someone make a better LA Confidential cover? I'll pay a few bucks for it.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by Sukie

This took me almost forever to make and the first rendition of this is still in my WIP because all I could do is stare at what I have and then nothing comes to mind as how to complete it

http://i.imgur.com/XVdg6d7.png

Honestly, IMO the only thing it really "needs" is the title of the movie on the front cover. Maybe you could also put the actors names towards the top of the front cover, over their heads to break up the empty space. It may not result in the most complicated custom cover ever as far as the front and spine go, but it will still look nice. Sometimes simple, but effetctive is the best way to go. Plus if you do come up with something more complicated later, you could always update it in addition to the simpler version.

The back is really well done. A lot of work must have gone into that.

[wedge5]

Looking for a Hotel Transylvania cover. My 4 year old destroyed the original. Does anyone have one or point me in the right direction? Thanks.

[phraseturner]

Originally Posted by wedge5

Looking for a Hotel Transylvania cover. My 4 year old destroyed the original. Does anyone have one or point me in the right direction? Thanks.

http://www.dvd-covers.org/d/309690-2...D_-_Bluray.jpg

[BunnyDojo]

Originally Posted by SexySamSosa67

Can someone make a better LA Confidential cover? I'll pay a few bucks for it.

I don't know if it's better, but at least it might save you a few bucks:

[Keung]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Sometimes simple, but effetctive is the best way to go.

Call it laziness, but I purposely make my covers very simplistic. I just hate putting specs / copyright / official logos and symbols all over the place. I can never decide how or where to place them, and even when I do it just feels cluttered.

[Sukie]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Honestly, IMO the only thing it really "needs" is the title of the movie on the front cover. Maybe you could also put the actors names towards the top of the front cover, over their heads to break up the empty space. It may not result in the most complicated custom cover ever as far as the front and spine go, but it will still look nice. Sometimes simple, but effetctive is the best way to go. Plus if you do come up with something more complicated later, you could always update it in addition to the simpler version.

The back is really well done. A lot of work must have gone into that.

Holy crap!!! I didn't realize the title wasn't on the front cover... duh me Thank you for letting me know!

Yeah, the back took quite a bit longer. I usually do the front and spine in Paint.net and finish it up with the text in Gimp. I do not know too much in Gimp to do the whole cover in it, so for now I just do what I can.

Thank you very much for your positive assessment

[Hubunkey]

Originally Posted by BunnyDojo

I don't know if it's better, but at least it might save you a few bucks:

I actually PM'd him a link to your cover on your website, It is a really great cover Bunny

[Sukie]

Originally Posted by Keung

Call it laziness, but I purposely make my covers very simplistic. I just hate putting specs / copyright / official logos and symbols all over the place. I can never decide how or where to place them, and even when I do it just feels cluttered.

Yes, I feel pretty much the same way! I don't put specs/ copyright / logos and/or symbols all over the place. I like putting just the synopsis, year and runtime along with the casting at the bottom, other than the blu-ray logo and the distributor on the spine... that is it! I find that my covers have definitely improved with the more knowledge I have of Gimp.