Meet My Cover Artists

  It's an exciting October day on the blog! I recently sat down with Mette and Micah Jonsson, the sibling duo who each designed one of my book covers (and each did a phenomenal job I might add). I wanted to ask them questions about their art, their process, and their thoughts on creating a book cover for the very first time. If you're an artist looking for inspiration from other artists, or an indie author hoping to freelance a book cover design, this post is for you! Let's dive in!

E: Let’s start by introducing yourselves, tell us who you are!

  ME: Mette Jonsson, 3rd youngest out of 7, art enthusiast! 

  MI: My Name is Micah. I am an illustrator and painter with an interest in character design. I live and work in Alberta.

E: What drew you to art and how old were you when you really began to get serious about it?

  ME: I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, but only really started developing my skills around age 15 when I discovered a knack for realism and painting. 

  MI: Art was always a big part of my life, but I never considered it as a career option until I joined a theatre group at the age of 14. Every year after a show I would draw all the actors in character on a big poster and sell prints to make a little extra money on the side. I took a fascination to the costume designs and attention to detail required to make a poster of 20+ people on a yearly basis, I’ve since stopped making them on account of my other job. But I’m hoping to work as an artist full time. 

E: Do you have a specific process when it comes to starting a new project?

  ME: I need to find the motivation before anything else, if I force myself to paint I can’t create something I’m proud of. Focusing the mind on all the positives helps.

  MI: My process involves a lot of warmup sketches. I work on quick sketches to warm up then take one of the sketches I’m particularly happy with and put more detail on it. I basically just keep drawing whatever comes to my mind until I think about something I’m happy with. Drawing digitally requires a lot of reworking, first there’s sketching, line work, colouring, shading and finishing touches are all spaced out into different segments. 

E: What drew you to the idea of designing a book cover, and what was the most exciting part for you?

  ME: I never considering the option before Emily approached me with the idea. I can fall into assuming my talents won’t be more than for my own happiness, so I wouldn’t have reached for this goal on my own. The idea of creating art that so many people will see, and visualize in their mind while they read this story still amazes me to this day. 

  MI: Honestly I hadn’t considered illustrating a book cover until I was approached by Emily. But I’ve always been drawn to the unique visual interpretation an artist can adopt from a book. My favourite part was trying to capture a grand yet intimate nature of the story. 

E: What aspect of the cover design was the most challenging?

  ME: Developing an idea that captures Emily’s vision. I had a lot of doubt that my portrait would not meet the vision, and capture the essence of the story. I’m so glad the finished product has been well received!

  MI: The most challenging part of the book was sending it in. Once I finished the illustration I noticed elements that I would have changed, I noticed little details that weren’t quite right, but I knew that I had to send it in anyway because if I let myself try and fix something over and over again I’ll never get it finished.

E: How did you find inspiration for the cover art?

  ME: I was provided with a sort of “mood board” that gave me wonderful ideas and interpretations. I particularly thrived in painting in black and white. 

  MI: I was inspired by concept art found in art books from movies, video games, and a little bit of Dungeons and Dragons. Inspiration comes from anywhere you just need to know where to look. 

E: As siblings, you both have shared creative space growing up, what has drawn you, Micah, to practice more digital mediums, and you Mette to traditional ones?

  ME: Each one of us siblings grew up using the exact same medium: pencil and paper. As we grew older and our personalities developed, our style and motivations developed along with them. We’ve all experimented with each other’s chosen medium; Micah with painting, me with digital art, but we chose what worked best for us in the end. Can’t really tell why.

  MI: I was obsessed with the clean slick style that digital art can produce. I also couldn’t afford new paints every time I ran out so digital media was the most financially viable option. However now in my current art career I try to replicate the style of traditional painters digitally; using minimal layers and paint over mistakes instead of simply pressing undo. Art can be expressed a million different ways as long as the artist is genuine. 

E: What are your favorite materials/brands you love and would recommend to other artists?

  ME: I really enjoy using oil paints, I don’t have experience with brands other than Gamblin, but I would recommend it. I also often choose to paint on Masonite instead of canvas. It can be found at most hardware stores and you can get 4’ by 2’ for only $5. Easy to frame, easy to store and the canvas texture isn’t as important to me as what I put on it. 

  MI: I’m currently using the Wacom 16, a cheaper drawing tablet, it has it’s problems, I’d recommend either that or the Wacom to those trying to break into the digital scene. 

E: What would your advice be to indie authors looking to recruit freelance artists to design their book’s cover?

  ME: Give as much detail as possible to help the artist capture the image, but make it known that you trust the artist’s instincts and know that they are doing everything in their power to read your mind, hah so go easy on 'em! 

  MI: Know what you want. Have a list of ideas, preferences, designs and personal inspiration to draw from, and communicate it clearly with your artist before they start work. We’re here to bring your vision to life so don’t be afraid to tell them exactly what you want. 

(c) Mette Jonsson

E: What would you say has really made you grow as an artist over the years?

  ME: Knowing that copying others is not necessarily stealing. Taking inspiration from artists you admire is what makes you a good artist. Don’t feel bad if it takes a little longer to build your own style and technique. 

  MI: What’s really helped me grow over the years is my sibling rivalry. I have a whole family of people who love to draw so naturally I have to be the best. 

E: Did either of you take art lessons when you were younger? Or were you self-taught?

  ME: Mainly self taught. We took a family art class for a year when I was around 10, but most of my learning was from copying my older siblings and practicing every day. 

  MI: We took a couple classes when we were younger, but honestly a lot of my skill is attributed to YouTube tutorials, there’s so much free information on the internet to exploit. 

E: Who is your favorite artist?

  ME: Micah. Hah also there is this artist I recently have followed named Layton Scarbrough. His art and technique amazing me. He combines realism with his own creative expression and I love it. 

  MI: I don’t have a single favourite artist. But I’d have to say my favourite at the moment is Max Grecke. His shape language is just amazing. 

(c) Micah Jonsson

E: Do you have an ideal creative setting that you set up to work on projects? Favorite room, favorite playlist, favorite snack or beverage, etc?

  ME: There are a few things I’ve found work for me; I need to be in a room with other people around (their presence gives me energy) my easel is stationed right beside Micah and Cristian’s art table. I need certain other senses to be distracted (I.e. listening to broadway musicals in headphones) as to focus more on my hands. 

  MI: A lot of coffee. I sit in the corner of a room with a lot going on because I still like to be a part of things. While having YouTube on in the background. 

E: What is your favorite and least favorite part of being an artist?

  ME: Best part would be seeing the reactions and positive feedback from my friends and family. Worst part is not reaching my own highly set standards, hah! 

  MI: My favourite part of being an artist is the peace of the process, nothing to worry about. I can put all my effort into the page and let the rest of the world wash away. My least favourite is how much time I have to dedicate to doing anything other than drawing.

E: Would you design a book cover again?

  ME: Absolutely! I would jump on the opportunity if I came to me again.

  MI: I would absolutely design a book again! The possibility of seeing your work associated with an amazing story that affects readers of all walks of life for years to come is inspiring.

E: And finally, who or what has most inspired you in your artistic journey?

  ME: My siblings have all gone into this journey with me, seeing them fall and get back up again, I know I can do the same. That and the positive affirmation really motives me to create. 😉

  MI: What inspired me the most has to be the people who I love, my brother Cristian, my sisters Mette and Anja, and the rest of my family are all artists. We all help each other learn new things. (Also cartoons. I love them.)

  Thank you, Mette and Micah, for the interview! And of course for the amazing book covers you crafted for me, I fall in love with them a little bit more every time I look at them. Thanks for sharing your process with us!

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  Follow Mette (designer of the Faithless cover) on social media:

  MJ Art Page // Facebook

  @m.e.j_art // Instagram

  @sunnyrivieres // Instagram

  Follow Micah (designer of The Sorceress and the Squid cover) on social media:

  @oy_oy_its_chaboi // Instagram

  Follow some of their other very talented siblings: 

  @maybe_an_eclair

  @jadarien_ink._ 

 

LET'S TALK. 

   Are you a young artist? Or maybe an indie author looking for book cover options? Did you enjoy this interview? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to follow these phenomenal young creatives on social media to keep up with their beautiful art!