Catherine spotted the new cover for Fair Game by Patricia Briggs and posted it here at Fiction Vixen early this month.
Dan dos Santos, the artist that created this cover, as well as many others you will recognize, stopped by and left a link to his blog featuring a few alternate sketches for the Fair Game cover.
I LOVE this one.
I love book covers and I’m always excited when a cover for an anticipated book is revealed. Occasionally, the cover can actually influence whether or not I purchase a book. But I admit, when it comes to covers my thoughts on them are usually limited to either liking them or not. I may discuss a bit with my friends, whether or not the cover accurately depicts story, protagonists etc, but I’ve never put much thought beyond that. Since the artists don’t get a shout out right beneath the author’s name on the cover, I tend not to think about it beyond my initial reaction. In this digital age I suppose I’ve assumed that covers are only comprised of digital photography and manipulated in Photoshop. So I was excited to realize that some covers are actually original paintings commissioned specifically for the book and/or series. I’m positive this is not news for some of you. In fact I’m sure some of you are laughing at me right now. It’s ok, I’m used to it. 
From Dan dos Santos’ website:
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Dan’s work spans a variety of genres, including novels, comics and film. He has worked for clients such as Disney, Universal Studios, Boeing Aircraft, Saatchi & Saatchi, Scholastic Books, The Greenwich Workshop, Penguin Books, Random House, Tor books, UpperDeck, Wizards of the Coast, and DC Comics.
Dan has been the recipient of many awards. Recently, he has received a 2010 Silver Medal from Spectrum, the 2007 Jack Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist, and was the Chesley Award winner for Best Paperback Cover of 2007. His illustrations have graced the #1 spot on the New York Times Best Seller list numerous times. Aside from freelance illustration, Dan also co-hosts a series of instructional demonstrations called ‘Art Out Loud’.
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Check out this video: Warbreaker Cover Illustration – Oil Painting Demonstration
Dan dos Santos has a gorgeous gallery filled with many familiar images including the covers for one of my all time favorite Urban Fantasy series, The Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. If you decide to stop by and browse his gallery be sure come back and let us know how many book covers you recognized.
For those of you “in the know” about cover art, who is your favorite cover artist? Do tell and don’t forget to leave a link.
About Sophia (FV)
Chances are if Dan Dos Santos does the cover I’m buying the book. Even if it’s in a genre I don’t read. *bows down*
Yeah I thought his gallery was pretty impressive.
Don dos Santos is ABSOLUTELY among my most favorite of favorites.
I’ve also always loved Michal Whelan. I read a lot of fantasy growing up, and among my favorite covers are the ones Michael Whelan did for Melanie Rawns books. <3 My favorites: Dragon Prince & Ruins of Ambrai.
Oh beautiful!! I can believe it never occurred to me what kind of work goes into these gorgeous covers.
Great post, Sophia! I just thought there was a new cover style sweeping UF and PNR until I looked at his gallery after he left a link on the cover news post. I was amazed to find that they were all him. He’s everywhere right now. I have to say, I absolutely adore Dan dos Santos’s work.
I recognized 12 covers, by the way.
Dan paints the covers to my novels. Its an interesting and fun process. I miss the days where all fantasy novels were paintings. I think they have much greater depth and tell a story of their own. You should sit and stare at them for a bit, seek out the nuances. I agree the old poster style mock-up he did is the best.
Dan Dos Santos rocks!
I just went and took a look. I like how the girl on the cover of Soul Born is battered. Little nicks everywhere, but she’s still looking confident. Nice.
Oh nice cover for Soul Born. I like!
I could not have said it better, FV! I am generally the same way over covers. But DdS covers are pieces of art I want to have framed. He’s genius! I visit his site from time to time to see if he’s added anything or has any updates. Nat bought me the book GREEN because of DdS’s cover art LOL and I am hoping to read it soon. And I love that more and more people are coming to realize and appreciate his work!
See I knew I was the last to know!! Dammit. Seriously though, I totally taken with his work. Amazing.
You’re not the last to know!! We’re happy to have you on board the Fan Club as one more person we can gush over his stuff with
I Love Love LOVE Dan’s work. My first introduction to his style was with the Mercy Thompson books, and I’ve definitely purchased others just on the strength of his art. His cover for My Life as a White Trash Zombie is just to DIE for. And the Gini Koch book covers are among my faves.
Good job bringing this amazing artist some much deserved recognition.
Didn’t he outdo himself with My Life as a White Trash Zombie?! I think that is one of the best covers of the year hands down.
I agree. I’m not sure I’m going to read it since zombies are not my thing, but I love to stare at the cover.
Thanks! Dan and I traded off ideas for the Soul Born cover. You should see his mock-ups for it. Amazing. He has limitless talent.
Yep, Opal, is fierce. She takes a beating, but gives a beating too.
Did you see her daughter, Megan on the new painting for the sequel? It’s at http://www.soulborn.net
Kevin
Ooh, very nice. I love the intense colors.
I’ve bought books just because Dan does the covers and usually end up loving the story as well. His work is amazing! I really love the covers he does for Patricia Briggs and Gini Koch.