Song of the Nile illustration, by Alan Ayers
Sorry about the holiday delay, everyone! We have a special treat for you this New Years’ Eve– December’s Artist of the Month is the amazing and talented Alan Ayers, a high-profile cover artist who does some of the most gorgeous and vivid covers to be seen on the NY Times bestseller list. His style is cinematic, as well as being simultaneously painterly and photographic; he’s worked on some of my favorite covers, and I’m delighted to welcome here on my blog.
Hi Alan! Could you tell us where you’re from? What led you to get into art?
I was born in North Carolina, and was raised in Gainesville, Florida. I’ve always had an interest in drawing and painting. I was one of those kids in school who was always called upon to do the holiday murals, although it wasn’t until my mid-20s that I pursued art/illustration as a career.
Tell us a bit about your interests growing up. Did you draw a lot as a child? What about high school?
I was always drawing and painting as a child. It was an interest that continued right through high school. Other interests were gymnastics and skydiving. (Today I no longer skydive, but I do enjoy hang gliding.)
Where did you go to school?
I graduated from P.K. Yonge Laboratory School in Gainesville, Florida, and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia.
What brought you to illustrate book covers? Have you ever done traditional painting, or has digital always been your first love?
After graduating from Tyler (in 1981), my wife and I moved to Connecticut where I was an advertising illustrator until contacting a representative in New York in 1987. It was then that I began illustrating book covers. I had always known that my style was well suited for book covers. Originally I illustrated with airbrush, acrylics, and oil, until switching to digital in 1995. I very much enjoy working digitally, and feel that I’m able to use much of my traditional training in my work. I am represented by Peter Lott at Lott Reps in New York.
What are your favorite artists– both past and present?
Of course, there are many artists (both contemporary and non-contemporary) whose work I admire, but here is a short list of my favorites:
Past artists:
John Singer Sargent
Edmund Blair Leighton
The Dutch masters
Present artists:
John Jude Palencar
Larry Rostant
Steve Stone
Your style– a combination of digital illustration and photography– is remarkable, and it’s always easy to spot an Ayers cover in the bookstore. Many authors have told me they feel incredibly lucky to get a cover by you. How did you come into your style?
My work has always been very “photographic”, even when working in traditional media. I always attempt to bring a feeling of realism to my covers, and use a number of techniques. In a single image, I will frequently use a combination of multiple photographic elements, and 3-D structures (usually architectural), all brought together with traditional painting skills. Of course, I’m not using actual paint and brushes, but am working with a tablet and stylus. I often forget I’m not “pushing paint around”.
There’s something gorgeously cinematic about your work. Did film influence you? What are your favorite movies? TV shows?
(Thanks for your kind words!) I feel like film has definitely influenced my work. When we’re doing photo shoots, the topic of film often comes up — we feel as though we’re doing a single frame, out of the best part of a movie. My taste in movies is varied. For instance, two of my all-time favorites are “Gladiator” and “Pride and Prejudice.” Although the visuals of a movie are important, the story and dialogue are definitely what makes a movie memorable. As for TV, I enjoy many of the HBO, Showtime, and AMC series.
One of my favorite illustrations of yours is for Stephanie Dray’s “Song of the Nile.” Could you take us step by step through the process of what it was like to create this cover? How do you find the costumes, the models, etc? How much did you change in Photoshop?
“Song of the Nile” was a very enjoyable cover to work on! The art director (Judy Murello) gave me direction of how she envisioned the cover. The talented Toni Busker was our model. We rely a great deal on the acting skills of the models. She was photographed at Shirley Green’s Photography in New York. The costume was provided by Sharon Spiak. (Occasionally the photographer or I provide the costuming.) Of course, when I go to finish, I usually enhance the costumes a great deal. This particular image was a combination of photomontage and 3-D rendering, finished using digital painting. The three programs I rely on the most are: Photoshop, Cinema 4D, and Painter.
How would you say your style has evolved over the past decade?
I have tried to simplify my compositions as much as possible, which I believe creates a stronger image. Any “style” changes have happened very gradually.
What are some things you’d like to try in the future? Are there any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?
As mentioned above, my primary goal is to simplify my compositions as much as possible, and continue to learn the programs I work with.
I’m currently working on covers for (among others) Elizabeth Hoyt, Cara Elliot, and Maya Banks.
