Ar Strae: Book

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detail of an illustration for the book ar strae by patricia forde

B&W internal illustrations and a colour cover illustration for a short novel for 8-12 year olds, by Irish author, Patricia Forde, with Irish language publisher Futa Fata

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The Finished Art

ar strae book cover illustration and design
Above: The front and back cover

ar strae book front cover illustration and design

ar strae book back cover illustration and design

ar strae book chapter 2 illustration

ar strae book chapter 3/4 illustration
Above: Mama was later removed from this image, as she didn’t fit the story continuity

ar strae book chapter 8/9 illustration

ar strae book chapter 10 illustration

ar strae book chapter 7 illustration

Sketches and Concepts

The cover was partly inspired by a Louis LeBrocquy painting, ‘The Picnic’ which hangs in the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. I always loved its winding composition and ‘cropping’ and I knew that it was in turn inspired by a Degas painting of two figures on a beach.

sketch for ar strae book cover illustration and design
Above: My concept sketch for the front cover’s illustration, layout and brushed-style typography

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Illustration: John White
Media: Pencil, Gouache & Ink on paper + digital
Client: Futa Fata publisher
Author: Patricia Forde