Book Cover Illustration & Design

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This was one of the best briefs to get stuck into – illustration and design with multiple styles for two characters. Tirain and Deor, two diametrically opposed characters, face one another, worlds colliding in dramatic ways. Both characters stand as individuals, representing their individual worlds. ❤️đŸ’«

It was a thrill to channel by admiration for Alphonse Mucha in the stylised, flat (sparse on detail and modelling) design oriented imagery. And having the author, Marius du Plessis briefing me and working together for the two months crafting and finessing the work.

“The almost saint-like iconography, the halos, the foiling, I am OBSESSED.” – Marius du Plessis

How it started...

KHALA Rough Sketch (Stephen Embleton 2026)

How it ended...

Cover Illustration & Design (Stephen Embleton 2026)


Get your copy (not yet!) and find out more at Mirari Press.


The Characters:

One of the things that was interesting to portray was two diametrically opposed characters, standing as individuals, and representing their individual worlds. Two styles and motifs.


Portraits:

Capturing the essence of each character is extremely important, and in this case in a simplified rendering.

"Tirain" Character Sketch (Stephen Embleton 2026)

"Deor" Character Sketch (Stephen Embleton 2026)


From that initial very very rough sketch, I worked on the symbols for each character.



Symbols/Halos:

Deor (Lotus) Stephen Embleton 2026


Tirain (Moon) Stephen Embleton 2026


With those central to the design, I then began the layout and styling of the overall piece.



Up Close:


Tirain (Stephen Embleton 2026)




Deor (Stephen Embleton 2026)





The Detail:

Tirain Detail



Deor Detail


Deor Detail


The Progress:

After the initial sketches and halo designs, I got into the final art. Working in two distinct halves but mirror image posed and positions.


Guide positions. Rough sword design.



Neat poses, matching positions. Central Ox tattoo.


Tirain needed bulking up on his physique :)


Sword redesign to brief. Testing tattoo placements.

Guide robes for Deor for composition. Extending Deor's hair.

Shoulder pouldrons on Deor.

Tirain's final tattoo designs and placements.

Extra layering for Deor's robes. Added hair length to Deor.

The Title Design using the simple "Unbounded" typeface, customised and thickened.

Isolating their respective panels and rough layout. Deor's lotus in hand. The top aurora serpent guide design. Stars.


Jin designs and a quick test on the gold foiling (at first) and removing the solid panel design for the full blue background. The design and style begins to take shape.


Removing the aurora serpent foil (too dominating).



A real clincher was Mirari and Marius being thrilled at the idea of dual foil – Gold (left) and Silver (right).


THE FINAL FULL CANVAS:

Stephen Embleton (2026)


Get your copy (not yet!) and find out more at Mirari Press.














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