Chicago-Based Freelance Writer/Author Avis Yarbrough

If you are a big romance reader, then probably the first thing that catches your eyes before buying a romance novel are the covers. Whether you are titillated by them or slightly embarrassed, they make an impact. Which brings me to my conversation with Elaine Gignilliat, former romance book cover artist of over 350 books ,who was gracious enough to give me an interview. I asked her how she got into the business and does she have any suggestions for people interested in going into the romance book cover artist business. Here are her answers.

Could you talk about how you got started doing romance book cover art? What is your training? Was it part of your career goal or was it just an opportunity that you happen to seize upon with great results?

Elaine G-I attended a life drawing session at the Art Student’s League in NYC ( there’s no teacher) in order to learn how to loosen up by drawing from a model. Another student came around looking at what others had done when the model took a brake, and said he thought I could do what he did, book covers. I had been a fashion illustrator for 10 years before moving to Cleveland and Edina, Minnesota, because my husband had been offered better executive jobs there. I did no illustration at all during that time. I intended to do fashion again, but when he told me what he was paid, it interested me and he showed me around to the photographer’s studio, and the place where costumes were rented. He then told me to leave my portfolio at various art directors at the publishers and I was fortunate to be able to get work the second day. My having drawn from a live model while doing fashion was a great help. I have never had a class in fashion drawing or any kind of illustration, so I am self taught at whatever I do.

I read that you do extensive research before doing a book cover. You read the writer’s book, you research locations from the book etc. Why does doing these things make for a better book cover?

Elaine G- I think the reader is insulted and should be, by a lack of accuracy in the description of the models and backgrounds, so I was careful to make notes about a location in a scene I chose to do and what they were wearing.

Do you think there is a difference between doing e-book covers and romance paperback books?

Elaine G- I have no knowledge about e-book covers, so I have no idea how they are done. All of my book covers were painted using oil paint. I no longer do them because now they are done on a computer and the finished product is a disk. There is no painting. I’m sure that must be a lot faster to do, but it does not interest me at all.

When you look at your book covers do you consider it art like you would consider one of your paintings? If not, why? If so, why?

Elaine G- I work the same way whether I’m doing a portrait or a book cover. They are both paintings and require the same skills, so I look at them the same way.

Does an author usually approach you about doing a book cover or..how does it work?

Elaine G- Authors never assign book covers. The publisher’s art director does the choosing and call the artist, Sometimes an author may request a certain artist, but the art director makes the decision

How would you describe your book covers? Is there a certain style, or technique in your book covers?

Elaine G- I do sign each painting but sometimes it is cropped off or too small to read. I tried for realism enhanced by a feeling of movement, having the model’s hair or dress caught by wind. I almost always have the models look into each other’s eyes, because that seems natural to me, if they are falling in love

When you look at other book cover artists art, do you judge it as a fellow book cover artist or not? If you do what generally jumps out for you about a fellow book cover artist work, what do you look for?

Elaine G- I don’t often look at the book stands to see what others are doing, but I do have friendly feelings toward fellow book cover artists. I look for excellence in any artist’s work.

Is there a particular artist or book cover artist that you admire?

Elaine G- There were many very fine ones. Three who come to mind are Robert McGinnis, Elaine Duillo, and Franco Accornero.

Do you think that doing romance book covers have a stigma attached? You know romance cover with the heroine heaving breasts, and hero naked from the waist up kind of thing.

Elaine G- All illustration carries a stigma because it is done for a purpose, no matter how well it is done. On the other hand, fine artists, no matter how awful. are called fine artists. You ask about heaving breasts and hero’s being naked. Well, I think they are beautiful. If the breasts are pushed up, that was the fashion at the time, Women wore corsets to push the breasts up and enhance them.

If someone was interested in doing book covers, what advice, if any, would you give them?

Elaine G-My advice would be to attend life-drawing classes. I think good drawing is the basis of good art. Concentrate on drawing.

Could you talk about what other type of art you do?

I do portraits, animal paintings, and still life and landscape but not for hire. I don’t need money.