The Art of Record Covers: Illustration Meets Lettering

Description

In this course, you will learn:

• You'll be given a well-known song title to make a cover for as part of the project brief.
• You, on the other hand, are the band, thus your name will appear on the cover. Steve will provide you with record sleeve and label templates.
• You'll begin by gathering references and sketching brief ideas in your sketchbook to help you explore concepts and gain a better understanding of the subject.
• Learn how to come up with cover thumbnail sketch ideas.
• This is a quick and effective way to look at as many possibilities as possible before deciding on the best one.
• The next step is to make more detailed sketches for the cover and label.
• Without going into great detail, learn about shape connections and how to create beautiful silhouettes to maximize the message.
• Finally, by adding details and double-checking references, you'll create resolved drawings.
• For rough coloring, you'll transfer the final drawings to your computer or tablet.
• The final color designs (A4) and the template (A3) will be printed and glued to the constructed sleeve, with the label attached to the vinyl record.

Syllabus:

1.  Introduction

   • Introduction

   • Influences

   • What We Will Do On the Course
      

2.  Preparation and Research

   • Presentation of Materials

   • Examples of 60s Psychedelic Album Covers

   • Research
      

3. Thumbnails to Refined Sketch

   • Turning Research Into Original Ideas

   • Combining Hand Lettering and Illustration

   • Developing Your Thumbnail

   • Final Refined Drawing
      

4.  Rough Colour

   • Creating Tonal Rendering

   • Developing Colour Palettes

   • Making Rough Colour
      

5.  Final Colour and Application

   • How to Approach Your Final Artwork

   • Printing and Glueing
      

6. Final Project

   • The art of covers: illustration meets lettering