We’re in the homestretch with “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker! A Novel with Measured Drawings.” Whew!
Today, I’m finishing the final full text edit and talking with the designer, Linda Watts, about the layout of the interior images and measured drawings (Linda, if you’re reading this, call me).
But perhaps most exciting is that I now know what Calvin and Verdie look like…because we’re nearing the finish line on the cover art. The cover I shared a few months ago? We couldn’t get the rights to manipulate the 1930s image – so we started over with a clean slate.
In hindsight, I’m glad; that gave us the freedom to present Calvin exactly as he appeared in Roy’s head (or at least the artist’s interpretation of how Calvin appeared in Roy’s head), and add other elements from the book to truly represent the story. (After all, despite the hoary saying, people often judge a book by its cover – so why not make it as perfect as possible?!)
We’ve been working with Jode Thompson, an illustrator based in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, whose other clients include Tylenol, Coca-Cola and Temptations Cat Treats (three things I buy regularly – how could I resist?).
While searching for an artist, I was looking for someone who could produce a 1930s noir detective novel look (think dark pin-up) with just enough of a graphic element to make it look 21st century. Jode’s work fit the bill in spades. And she nailed the treatment from the get-go, despite my crazy design brief:
So there’s this 1930s government employee who’s the supervisor of a group of women, all of whom are WWI veterans who are in some way disfigured by the war – and they’re all stronger than Calvin. They study manure. And there’s this femme fatal of sorts, Kathryn Dale Harper, with whom Calvin is kinda obsessed. She’s a radio star, and helps Calvin start his own radio show about woodworking. Oh – and Washington, D.C., is a character of sorts, as is Colonial Williamsburg. And Calvin has a shop in the clock tower of the office building where he works. It’s all sort of noir mixed with slapstick, and there’s a motorcycle. And it’s very funny. Calvin looks like Jon Cusack, Kathryn Dale Harper looks like Barbara Stanwyck and Verdie looks like Susan Sarandon (but with a prosthetic leg).
OK – it was more coherent than that.
Anyway, I thought you might like to see the short progression toward the final cover art. At the top of this post is the initial sketch.
After deciding on the first sketch, we wanted something that said “woodworking” and asked Jode to add the Washington Monument so the location was visually clear. So I asked her to add a dovetail saw in Calvin’s hand. Naturally, Jode chose a Veritas saw (she’s Canadian, after all). Nice saw … but not for the 1930s. And anyway, a dovetail saw proved too small. (Also, while I like the boots and helmet on Verdie, it was decided by the two parties involved who notice these sorts of things that high heels would be sexier.)
So Jode sent back a revision with a panel saw modeled after an early Disston model, heels and a title (we’re still mulling over the lettering style, and where to put Roy’s name).
Damn near perfect. At this point, Jode is working on the clothing for both Verdie and Calvin (to make it look a little more 1930s) and I’ll be talking with her soon about the lettering. In the meantime, she added a splash of color.
So in a few more days, we should have the cover illustration completed, the interior layout done, back cover copy written and the whole thing ready for final review. Then it’s off to the printer (casebound, smyth-sewn binding, acid-free paper, printed in the U.S.A., etc. etc.).
It should be WILL be in the Lost Art Press store before Thanksgiving (United States Thanksgiving, not Canadian Thanksgiving – sorry Jode).
— Megan Fitzpatrick
She is a red-head; how cool is that?
Shouldn’t the title say ‘Radio Woodworker’? The sketch says ‘Radio Worker’.
It will. She was just playing around with the type location and style. It’s all a progression… (But good eye!)
Shouldn’t the title be “Calvin Cobb Radio Woodworker” not “Calvin Cobb Radio Worker?”
Dean W. Johnson
President
The Pet Place, Inc.
1812 6TH AVE SE
SUITE 3
ABERDEEN, SD 57401
605-262-0185
Yup; see my previous comment.
Megan, love the illustration process (and narration of course). As a (poor) student I had zero connection to writing/literature courses. Later in life, as a typographer, I was able to see the process of how strong writing got that way. The connection was made.
Looking forward to this, especially when knowing a bit of the journey.
Love the teamwork of the Lost Art Press.
Go in kindness.
So can I get this as a poster? But could you unbutton Verdie’s shirt one more button and make the saw a skew-back?
You are just asking to be poked with a saw nib.
This looks like a lot of fun for all of you. A little more fun than debating sharpening methods?
I spy 4 fingers in the tote
Wow. Good catch.
Sorry I have to agree with Megan, the boots were WAY better than heels. The helmet was cool too. Is she supposed to be gutsy or a pansy!?
The 1st illustration is also way more Noir than the resulting images. If the first image is Max Fleischer’s Superman the following more polished ones are Looney Tunes.
I agree with Christopher and the poster is no problem…… As to the heels, if she can run in those she can kick some butt! But back to the book, it looks like it is going to be a fun read.
Interesting evolution : no helmet and no cleavage – helmet with cleavage – no helmet, more cleavage – as a bike rider I’m eager to know how the classic bike works with no throttle cable on the right hand – BlueTooth maybe? Bring back the boots, though – way cooler – looks like a Barbie in those heels.
Actually there was bikes made at one time with hidden throttle cables. They were concealed inside the handle bars.
Absolutely love the illustration (the bit of color does wonder for the cleavage!). Boots also great (I drool easily). Saw should be a #7 panel saw.
Only criticism I would extend concerns the lettering. I would go with something a “gnats hair” less bold than the drawing. I want this book!
Take it from me, kiddo, as someone who occasionally enjoys three fingers of domestic, you should steer clear of acetaminophen, and stick to ibuprofen when needed. That other stuff is poison with anything stronger than branch water.
The building in the back left is faintly reminiscent of the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa. A little Canadian joke, eh?
The building in the back should be the Smithsonian Castle. It needs another tower near the center, and red brick exterior. Google will provide lots of images of it for the curious.
Actually I think it just needs more cowbell.
Well yeah; everything does.
It’s the old Post Office building, which features heavily in the book.
Cobb doesn’t have Roy’s ‘stache?
Fantastic, except for the saw grip. That just looks uncomfortable.
I assumed that Calvin would look like a young Roy… and I like the heels – I suspect that it would take real skill to ride an old cycle in them.
A poster would be cool. I have a place for it in my shop now. Nothing hotter than a redhead in knee-high boots
One problem I see (and maybe it’s part of the story) is that the pursuing biker is leaning the wrong way for that quickly upcoming curve. Maybe he’s taking the shortcut through the bushes? Or maybe he’s on the verge of heeling the bike over to the right?
I know. Most guys can’t see anything but the redhead with the boots and cleavage. Those are the ones saying “what biker” right now.
So maybe that’s how Calvin and Verdie managed to escape…