While revising one book, I have been working on the book covers for three books in a series. I have been easily sucked into the creation/recreation/revision process of those book covers. I am on trial 3.5, but back to the main first image I used for the Kindle Vella version of Dark Blade: Forged.
Forged makes me think fire. Add a hot orange flame to the cover. The dark colors look flat and needs a background to show up. IMHO. Book covers are frustrating!! You'll get it.
This is really tough. I feel your pain as I'm working on my own as well. I'm not against AI, but you might try creating elements with AI and merging them to create what your looking for.
I'm a bit of a cover snob - OK OK - I'm a HUGE cover snob. I totally understand your frustration. I have yet to enjoy (?) the challenge of designing or seeing a cover design for a book of mine and honestly the thought terrifies me. It's one of those times I wish I was an artist so I could get the vision I have in my head out onto the screen and onto a cover. The first cover, the one with the actual sword, is my favorite. It definitely goes along with the title and puts the BLADE image in your face. While I'm no graphic designer, I'm sure it could be reworked for the cover. I also know that these things tend to come about when we least expect them, an ah-ha moment of clarity where we see it and go, "Hn. Why didn't I see that in the first place?" I wish I had more insight that this! Sorry for the rambling :) I can't wait to see the final cut!
Forged makes me think fire. Add a hot orange flame to the cover. The dark colors look flat and needs a background to show up. IMHO. Book covers are frustrating!! You'll get it.
This is really tough. I feel your pain as I'm working on my own as well. I'm not against AI, but you might try creating elements with AI and merging them to create what your looking for.
I would just recommend staying far, far, far away from using AI in any kind of cover.
I'm a bit of a cover snob - OK OK - I'm a HUGE cover snob. I totally understand your frustration. I have yet to enjoy (?) the challenge of designing or seeing a cover design for a book of mine and honestly the thought terrifies me. It's one of those times I wish I was an artist so I could get the vision I have in my head out onto the screen and onto a cover. The first cover, the one with the actual sword, is my favorite. It definitely goes along with the title and puts the BLADE image in your face. While I'm no graphic designer, I'm sure it could be reworked for the cover. I also know that these things tend to come about when we least expect them, an ah-ha moment of clarity where we see it and go, "Hn. Why didn't I see that in the first place?" I wish I had more insight that this! Sorry for the rambling :) I can't wait to see the final cut!