Cover Art by Reese Dante
Book Cover and Artist Month Continues
Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante
When people ask me to name favorite cover artists, Reese Dante’s name pops immediately into my mind. Over countless stories, from Amy Lane to Mary Calmes to T.J. Klune to C.S. Poe and so many other authors, there has been one stunning cover after another. These book covers offer an amazing arrange of tone, coloration, composition, and even style depending upon the needs of the author and novel. But they never fail to pull you in, hold your eye, make you linger over the artwork, and then want to read the story within.
These covers are gorgeous, compelling, and often magic.
Reese Dante’s designs can run from singular images to complicated forms and everything in between. From explosions of color to subtle hued covers in greys and whites, both carrying an impact.
I couldn’t wait to hear Reese’s answers to our questions. So on to our interview.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interviews Artist Reese Dante!
Thank you so much for the invite!
How long does it takes to put together a cover draft and whether or not they make multiple drafts to show authors/publishers?
That varies with each assignment. Image hunting is extremely time consuming, especially when character modifications are required. But once I have the images selected for a project and know all the character changes needed/requested, I move rather quickly through the design process. Start to finish (including finding the right pics to work with) can take anywhere between a few hours to a full week or more. Again, it all depends on the project.
How much of your covers are original art and how much do you rely on using content purchased elsewhere?
Most of my work involves photo manipulation. I would say about 80-90% of my covers use licensed stock material as a starting point. There are times when I can’t find a resource I need or I’m just too stubborn and want to incorporate something specific. In those instances, I digitally paint what’s needed (such as a tattoo design element, a piece of missing clothes, etc).
How much input comes from the author and/or storyline?
That varies with each assignment and client. With publishers, there are house styles to consider and some are more restrictive than others regarding the level of input to incorporate. For my non-publisher work, all assignments begin with a spec completed by the author. The responses address a mix of questions about their story (characters, tone, time period, design preferences, etc). Some authors start the process knowing exactly what they want while others give me total creative freedom. Even with that creative freedom, the idea is sparked from something the author noted in a response. And ultimately, the tone and theme in their story determines the colors and style I use to finish off a design.
How did you get to become a cover artist?
Years ago, one of my friends needed a cover for a poetry book and asked me to design the cover. When he published his second poetry book, he asked me to design the cover for that one as well. I enjoyed the process and it was a welcome escape from my corporate office job. Some time later, another author friend asked me to design a cover for his first book, and I agreed. After he published his story, word started spreading and I received requests from other authors. One cover led to another and so on.
What mediums do you use?
I would be lost without Photoshop and my Wacom tablet. I also use a mix of software for my vector and illustration work. And when push comes to shove, I revert to my older drawing days and sketch something out with pencil then scan it in.
Do you have a favorite cover you have done?
That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. 🙂 In truth, there are too many and for different reasons (the author, the story, elements of the piece, or the overall experience). Some designs have challenged me to try new techniques and illustrate something original. While others provided a creative outlet to help me cope while dealing with something personal in life. I have many favorites, whether the author knows it or not.
Do you have a favorite cover artist yourself?
There are tons of cover artists who create beautiful covers and some are truly gifted in what they can do with their creativity. I have favorite artists for different reasons and specialties. It’s impossible to pick one. Some have a gift for using vivid colors, digital drawings that leap off the page, and some can make something so simple look absolutely breathtaking.
Did you look at book covers or were influenced by book covers as a child?
As a book cover designer, I do look at other covers in order to determine market trends for the various genres.
As a child, I spent more time watching movies than I did reading books. 🙂 I was obsessed with movie posters while growing up. When I was a teenager, I reached out to two store owners who received promo items for movies they were selling or renting at the time. When they cycled through movie posters and promos, rather than throw them out, they would give them to the nagging teenager (*me*). My bedroom walls were wallpapered by movie posters—even the ceiling (I did mention I was obsessed). So I can easily say movie posters are a huge influence on my work.
What do you find most rewarding as a Book Cover Artist?
So many things. I get to do what I love and I’m forever grateful. The creative freedom feeds my soul and the author squee is priceless. There’s nothing more exciting than an author telling me I’ve nailed their character or story on the design.
If you could ask yourself a question, what would it be?
Do you realize how much you obsess with details?
What or how do you see the role of the Book Cover?
Unless you’re an auto-buy author for the reader, the book cover is a critical marketing piece. The cover is the first encounter a reader has with any story when book shopping. Its job is to entice the reader to stop and take a closer look at the book.
How has the eBook format changed that , if any?
Book covers are still important when book shopping. With the dominance of eBook formats, book covers now need to show well as B&W images and at thumbnail size, more so than a printed paperback on a bookshelf.
What trends do you see in Book Covers in the industry? Past, present, and future? {for example the rise of the naked half male torso, model overuse ,generic covers ,etc.)
Trends cycle (and sometimes recycle) and vary by genre. Whether it’s a cropped face or naked torso, there’s a recent push toward single model covers.
How do you feel about them?
I don’t have an issue with single model covers (or any trend) if it fits the character and/or story.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by. And thank you for all the amazing comments, gifs, and messages over the years. ❤
For more of Reese Dante’s artist, don’t forget to check out her website and the portfolio. You will recognize many of your favorite stories and covers there! I’ve only given you all a tiny sampling here.
For more about Reese Dante, visit
Reese Dante | Book Cover Artist & Designer
Original drawing by the artist
About the Artist
Art has always been a part of my life.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved art. There wasn’t a safe piece of paper in my home. I doodled everywhere and everything…papers, magazines, envelopes, brother’s homework. Then I started sketching people. I’d go through a magazine and rip out ads, preferably in color, then try to redraw them in a pencil sketch. I’d obsess until I thought it was just as strong as the color photo.
I’m a perfectionist and enjoy a challenge.
I’ve drawn and designed for years, but my first professional logo was used in 1991 for a community development and my first (published) book cover design appeared in 2005. I hold both a BBA with a specialization in Marketing and an MBA. After working for a national corporation in a marketing position for 15½ years handling all creative aspects of the company, I realized it just wasn’t enough…something was missing. The day-to-day slowly overpowered the creative elements of the job until there was nothing left but management tasks and responsibilities. I realized I enjoyed art a little too much to let it go. I started actively designing book cover art in December 2009 to fuel my creative need. People began asking about my covers and availability (thank you – I am forever grateful). I am now a full-time book cover artist and designer, using my marketing background to create art that grabs the reader’s attention. And I’ve never been happier.
My only regret…not having started this sooner.
As a teenager, my walls were covered by movie posters. Maybe it’s subliminal after staring at movie posters for so many years. I don’t know, but I do love a good story, especially those told in a picture.
Reese Dante
Book Cover Art & Design
rdante@reesedante.com
reesedante.com
Twitter: @ReeseDante
Facebook
I hope everyone enjoyed this week’s spotlight with Reese Dante. Next week Paul Richmond will be visiting with us. It has been a joy getting to know her further. Please check out more of her artwork and stories at her website listed above.
Cover Artist Giveaway:
Please don’t forget to leave comments or questions for our artists to be entered into our Book Cover Artist Giveaway, a Gift Certificate for $10 the person chosen. Please leave a email address where you can be reached. Open until St. Patrick’s Day.
Now for this week’s reviews and tours. Happy Reading and Listening!
We have more Artist Spotlights Scheduled. The schedule to date (with links in case you missed one):
March 3 Paul Richmond
Until next week, happy reading and listening! Here is our schedule at the blog this week. Enjoy!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, February 24:
- Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante. Book Cover and Artist Month Continues.
- This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
- Ties of Destiny by Caitlin Taylor Blog Tour
- An Alisa Review : Letting Go (The Knights Club Series#2) by CJ Baty
Monday, February 25:
- PROMO Empire of Light by Alex Harrow
- BLITZ Severed by Shona Husk
- Blog Tour Post for A New Life by Mel Gough
- An Alisa Review: Fire and Ink by KL Noone
- A VVivacious Review Snowed In: Nen and Anani by Nell Iris
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall and Adam R Watson (Narrator)
- A Chaos Moondrawn Review: The Case of the Arms Dealers (Kanaan & Tilney #1) by Jenna Rose and Katey Hawthorne
Tuesday, February 26:
- Release Blitz – Brigham Vaughn – The Ghosts Between Us
- Release Blitz – Anna Martin – Helix
- ECHOES by LA Ashton Promotion
- DSP POMO Cooper West on Mixed Signals
- A VVivacious Release Day Review: Helix by Anna Martin
- A MelanieM PRErelease Review: Jacked Cat Jive (The Kai Gracen #3) by Rhys Ford
- A Free Dreamer Review: Treasure by Megan Derr
Wednesday, February 27:
- Release Blitz – Touch Of A Yellow Sun – V.L. Locey
- PROMO Emory Schneider
- Cover Reveal – A.L. Lester – Shadows On The Border
- An Alisa Release Day Review: Skin and Bone (Digging Up Bones #2) by TA Moore
- A MelanieM Review: Echoes by LA Ashton
- A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Concatenation (Lost in Translation #1) by Catherine Lievens
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Milo by Lily Morton
Thursday, February 28:
- Release Blitz, and Blog Tour – The Rising by Morgan Brice
- Cover Reveal – Murder At Oakschott Hall – Jim Austen
- COVER REVEAL Becoming D’Vaire by Jessamyn Kingley
- An Alisa Review Temporary Dad (Bad Valentine #4) by Dev Bentham
- An Alisa Review:All He Needs (My Truth #1) by Ann Grech
- A Free Dreamer Review: Empire of Light(Voyance #1) by Alex Harrow
Friday, March 1:
- In the Spotlight Tour and Giveaway: Demon on the Down-Low by EJ Russell
- Release Blitz – DJ Jamison – Rapid Response
- AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR – Dance For You by Colette Davison
- A Free Dreamer Review: Ostakis by Angelica Primm
- A Chaos Moondrawn Review Lord Seabolt (Four Families #2)by Megan Derr
- A MelanieM Review A Miracle for Markie by Lynn Lorenz
Saturday, March 2:
I really enjoyed this story. An unusual shifter tale, in this one Veier (rhymes with bear) has been chained to a king’s throne and kept in his bear shifter form for five years. He’s freed when the kingdom is overthrown, but the new king wants him executed and it’s his brother, Elrid, who saves Veier’s life. Elrid is a powerful mage and he rightly points out that the chain indicates Veier was not necessarily loyal to the previous rulers. 
Three months ago David Stanton rescued a runaway kitten in the rain. Now he’s got a scandalous feline shapeshifter living in his house, helping with his white-witch business, and making him smile. David is falling in love fast, but there’s still the problem of Colin’s past—and the secrets he’s obviously keeping…
Rowan Harbor has had a tough winter, and Devon Murphy wants nothing more than to make it better. When he proposes a solution to the town’s low morale, it creates a rift in his relationship with his boyfriend, Wade. They’ve hardly ever argued, and when things get tense, Devon has no idea how to handle it.
Colin is not having the best time lately, being a runaway shifter with a less than stellar reputation, hiding beneath a car in the pouring rain hoping to evade the angry warlock looking for him.
Mitsu has been Shiro’s personal servant and best friend since they were both six years old, and he’s been in love with him for nearly that long. While Shiro takes lovers of both sexes, the gulf between their social classes is so vast that Mitsu has never spoken his feelings aloud.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 