Illustration commission for The Wizard of Oz
Book cover illustration and design
This illustration project involved a collaboration with upcoming author Hope Swan. Together, we embarked on a creative journey to craft a series of illustrations inspired by her contemporary interpretation of The Wizard of Oz.
Project Kickoff: A Dystopian Oz Unveiled
This was a collaboration with Hope Swan to give The Wizard of Oz a dystopian twist. Imagine Oz under the rule of this ruthless dictator, Marcus. We wanted to suck out the magic and turn the yellow brick road into a faded memory.
Shared Vision: Bringing Darkness to Life
Hope and I were in sync right from the start. We were out to create a desolate Oz, and as an illustrator, my toolkit was a mix of pencils, pens, and ink. All those vibrant colours? Faded to different shades of grey. The whimsical landscape? A shadow of its former self. The challenge was to capture the essence of darkness while keeping the heart of the story alive.
Hope in the Shadows: The Rebel Crew Emerges
But in this darkness, there's a glimmer of hope. A group of rebels, led by Dalia, a university student who was transported to Oz during a storm and a hurricane. Their mission? Reclaim what's rightfully theirs. Restore balance and magic to a place choking under Marcus' rule. It's a story of resilience and rebellion against the odds.
Illustrative Choices: Crafting Timelessness in Grayscale
Let's talk illustrations. For the internal pages, I went with grayscale. It gives off this timeless vibe, you know? Every stroke of the pen was aimed at immersing readers in a world that's hauntingly familiar yet strikingly different. The challenge was to make them feel the desolation while holding onto the echoes of what Oz once was.
Visual Portal: The Cover and Back Design Dive
For the cover and back design, I used the greens of Emerald City. It's like a visual portal, pulling readers into this reimagined Oz. Crafting a colour palette that breathes life into these elements is an invitation to a fantastical world.
