Learning to illustrate my own book cover. Do these references say ‘dark fantasy’ to you?

[u/Creative-voidlover]

I’m teaching myself digital art so I can illustrate my own dark fantasy cover. Would love some advice!

I’m working on a dark fantasy webnovel called Beloved Dawn, and I’ve decided I want to create the final cover artwork myself.

I’m still learning digital art and using Krita, so this is going to be a project... I’ve been collecting published covers that I love to study their composition, use of color, typography, and how they communicate “dark fantasy” without becoming visually overwhelming.

My story deals heavily with identity, trauma, manipulation, racism, abuse, and autonomy, so I want something beautiful and almost fairytale-like at first glance, but with an unsettling quality underneath.

For artists and cover designers: what would you recommend I pay particular attention to while designing it? Composition? Value? Typography? Thumbnail readability? Anything you wish you'd known when you started?

I'm not looking to copy any of these covers, just studying what makes them effective.

Update 1! I started sketching! It looks horrible, but you can find the rough sketch here! If it's not working, let me know... im still learning reddit. update

[u/demonofjustice]

Honestly, they all look like Romantasy. I know Shadow and Bone is Romantasy with a bit more of an edge, but still, Romantasy can be a very different genre compared to Dark Fantasy. Don't think so much about the genre or the labels, though, think about who would like to read the books you are working on.

[u/Creative-voidlover → u/demonofjustice]

Definitely not a romantasy!! FL is 7-9 ish book one... I never thought about thinking about who I want to read the book. It is both a simply and hard idea to grasp... but ill think it over.

[u/demonofjustice → u/Creative-voidlover]

Nice, I saw your update and I liked your style! Is there any way I can track your project?

[u/Creative-voidlover → u/demonofjustice]

Oh my gosh, thank you!!! I'm still figuring out my style since I'm just starting, so that genuinely makes me really happy! I do have an Instagram where I post snippets of my chapters and art! It's fairly new but It's @author_lyssafae. Just look for a similar cartoon cat as my pfp here! (Another one of my creations lol)

[u/demonofjustice → u/Creative-voidlover]

Thank you, I am now following. I really admire your resilience and excitement, I've also been trying to write a book for many years now, I will be keeping track for personal motivation!

[u/Creative-voidlover → u/demonofjustice]

Awww thank you! You got this! I believe in you!!!!

[u/keturahrose]

To me, only the middle image reads as "Dark fantasy". The first feels more generic fantasy, and the last feels too romantic with the bright red and womans soft silhouette.

My advice would be to look at the current dark fantasy best covers. See what is working in the best sellers, and take away the elements you like the look of. Especially if their sub genres overlap with yours.

You could also look at non fiction/autobiography covers that work with the serious topics you mention and see how they covey that on their cover. By combining what you like from both genres, you should come to have a cover more inline with what your book hopes to sell the reader on.

[u/Creative-voidlover → u/keturahrose]

Oooh good ideas! Yes I agree the first and last aren't quite dark fantasy... but I love the art style... I will start looking at best dark fantasy covers and non fiction thought is interesting! Will have to check that out!