a mock up of a possible cover design for issue 1 of Penance Copper. My model is such a sweetheart - she stood on a kitchen table so I could get this shot :)
This angle references a fight she's won that she suddenly isn't sure she should have won, her feeling of being "on edge" all the time, and being on the brink of a major decision.
Thoughts?
Comments
Try looking around at what other people have done for inspiration. Dan Dos Santos is a master at this kind of stuff. (See below.)
What story are you trying to tell? Ahh... that is the question!
Your choice of POV is often used to emphasize a powerful figure and body language. Nice!
However her
face is the most powerful frame for showing her mental workings, and your current POV isn't giving much room for her face. This could be done by having her kneeling, then bringing up one or both fists to show power/fight. A wide-eyed defocused look would be a energetic way of showing that something stunning has just happened...and Penance has or will have her her world turned upside down. I did a quick work-up of what I have in mind and attached it here.
Okay, let's see how this looks. Facing down more to easily read her expression, wider stance, both hands flaming (more of a plasma energy, but as regular flames are also "plasma energy," well...) and a slight twist to her upper body to impart a bit of motion, as if she's just swung a punch and is half ready to run. I'm still thinking high walls and a night sky for the background. Thoughts?
I fell prey to indecision on the pose and background :) There is a really important development dealing with aliens, so should I show some night sky/outer space behind her (since we are so conveniently looking up)? I was thinking dark alley at first, but that doesn't say much, really. I did ask for a wider stance from my model, but that shot didn't turn out well.
Any ideas on how to show more of an internal conflict? I was thinking of having her look more scared, but I don't want to go too far and have this look like the story of how Pen was victimized.
I am totally open to any suggestions (that still have Pen on the cover ;D ) so if anybody has any thoughts to bring to the table, bring it! :)
By the way, I LOVE the name. "Penance Copper"... wish I thought of that one!
I'm adding that to my favorite female character names list along with "Modesty Blaise" (comic strip character) and "Danger O'Reilly" (from the show "Bewitched").
Well... I know nothing of the story, but going just by this I would say that the idea is half-formed.
First, her gesture. Everything- her stance, her gesture, her facial expression- is passive, but the flaming fist is most definitely not. The mood/message is confused.
For a stronger pose perhaps take the hand off the hip, and let it hang as the flaming on is. Place her feet a bit apart. Give her a more powerful stance. This sends the message of strength, readiness, and all that good stuff. (If that is what you're going for.)
But if you are going for a passive pose, then perhaps her power can manifest itself in a more mood appropriate way? Fire held in the palm of her hand? Or maybe fire on her hand(s) as she stands akimbo? Kinda as if she were saying, "Yeah, I'm on fire. So what?"
But right now, I'm not sure what she is doing.
Also, I'm wondering where she is. Is she in some kind of cube? Maybe a more distinct background could help tell her story? (Or at least set it up.) ...Is she standing amidst burning ruins? Is she in the woods at night? A school campus? Times Square? Starbucks?
Anyhoo... thems my thoughts. You know... for what they're worth.
Does it stand out? Are there unforeseen issues or connotations? Would something else make more sense? And yes, how can this be done better?
For the record, I agree Steve's is better, but the issue with the arm is very, very subtle. I'm sure it's a simple fix.
sister paula take master jedi steve seriously he knows the ways of the force...
Hmm... on second thought, the arm on the right (on my overlay) seems odd. Sorry about that.
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