The book cover for Bloodfest went through several stages to create.

• Sketches of the main features; the body and skull. The hands were added separately later on.

• Colouring and layering.

• The scythe and hands going over the torso were added later so that their size and position could be adjusted perfectly. In fact the scythe blade is a 3D render, allowing me to fine tune the angle to fit the space on the cover.

• Different layers for colour, shading and effects.

• Finally the atmosphere is adjusted; contrast, brightness and colour overlay, to create an appropriately dark and foreboding Reaper.