Debbie Christiana
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​Dark Short Fiction,
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COVER REVEAL/Artist Interview with Jamie Chapman

8/16/2015

20 Comments

 
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I'm thrilled to be in the company of the nine other amazing authors who penned a  short story for FIENDS: Ten Tales of Demons, edited by Rayne Hall. FIENDS is up for pre-order on Amazon here and will be released on August 19th.

This awesome cover was done by artist Jamie Chapman and he dropped by to talk about his artwork, demons, and books.


What fascinates you about demons?

Demons have a lot of character, relying on trickery and deceit instead of just jumping out the shadows to eat you. I think this makes them far more complex as characters, not doing what they do out of hunger, but for their own amusement. Conversely, having (literally) fallen from grace there is also an air of tragedy about them if you approach from a Paradise Lost angle.

How would you describe the personality of the demon you painted?

My demon beckons the viewer, drawing them forward with a wry smile as if there is a secret he has to tell. Perfect as he happens to have his back to a book full of stories.

What kind of illustrations do you enjoy creating?

I enjoy working on subjects with a lot of character or lore behind them. When I make an illustration I want it to look like a fragment of a much larger world with a reason behind every detail.

What's your background and training as an artist?


I have a BA(Hons) in fine art, and whilst traditional media such as acrylic and oil are my first love I have been working hard to develop digital painting techniques too.

When a client wants an illustration - say, for a book cover - how do you go about it? What's the process?

First stop is my sketchbook; I can never leave behind traditional pencil and paper. I do a page of small sketches, trying to give the client exactly what they want and then I try one curveball, something they might not have thought of but still within the brief. Sometimes you can get a happy accident.

Do you do just illustrations, or also complete designs?

I like to apply myself to different forms and fields of art. I am currently the illustrator for a graphic novel called Kitten Heist 1907, and I also still continue my fine art painting when there is an opportunity for a show.


Do you enjoy reading? What kind of books do you like?

Fantasy, sci-fi and horror are my genres of choice, particularly Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Philip K Dick and the late Terry Pratchett. I also make a point of visiting early influences to the genres such as Dante Alighieri. I think graphic novels have valid a place in the literary world too, with many of my favourites coming from the publishers 2000AD and Vertigo.  

Where can we see more of your work? 

www.jchapmanart.daportfolio.com


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ARTIST BIO

Jamie Chapman earned his  fine art degree in London, but grew frustrated with the contemporary art world, and has started up again with his first love of illustration and graphic novels. Drawing cool stuff like dragons and angels is a breath of fresh air, but he has been part of several group shows in small galleries in Shoreditch (London) since.  

 


20 Comments
Rayne Hall link
8/16/2015 11:12:16 pm

Thanks, Jamie, for talking about your art, and thanks, Debbie, for hosting the interview. :-)
Rayne

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Debbie link
8/17/2015 03:06:01 am

My pleasure :)

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Jess Mahler link
8/17/2015 12:45:44 am

I really like your take on demons. Too often I see them depicted as "rawr smash" monsters without the complexity they deserve.

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Debbie link
8/17/2015 03:06:42 am

I agree, Jess. Thanks for stopping by.

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Debbie link
8/17/2015 03:08:39 am

A big thank you to Jamie for stopping by and for creating such a wonderful book cover for our stories :)

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DougK
8/17/2015 06:38:56 am

Thanks for the super cover, Jamie! And to Debbie for sharing this. Poe and Lovecraft would be proud, I think.

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Jonathan Broughton
8/17/2015 06:48:55 am

Great cover, Jamie. Being beckoned to come closer by this demon, is sort of frightening/thrilling at the same time. How I imagine most demons operate. Good job. Congratulations!

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Ben M link
8/17/2015 07:23:09 am

Checking out Jamie's site, some great works there, looks like the sort of style I'm interested in for some of my own covers (if I ever manage to scrape together enough money for the commissions anyway!).

Great work, Jamie, keep it up! Bookmarked your site for (hopefully) future use :)

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Jamie C
8/26/2015 12:38:51 am

Thanks for the comments, commissions are always welcome!

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Debbie link
8/17/2015 09:53:43 am

Thanks, Doug, Jonathan and Ben for stopping by and thanking Jamie :)

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Judith Rook link
8/17/2015 02:06:47 pm

Hello Jamie,

As a person with few or no visual or graphic skills at my command I can still recognise an unusually good picture/design when I see one. As you say, this demon has personality. I may not want to spend time around him but he catches my attention and is much better than others of his ilk I have seen on book covers.

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Mike S
8/17/2015 04:26:38 pm

Great work on the cover. Keep it up. When looking at early influences how early do you tend to go?

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Jamie C
8/24/2015 11:10:41 pm

One of my tutors at uni told me to always learn from the master and not the student, so when I find an artist I like I try to look at what influenced them as well. What I depicted was a common interpretation, red skin, horns, etc, but the roots of this design can be found in early woodcuts and engravings, such as those by Jean Duvet. So in short as far back as I can!

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Mark Cassell link
8/17/2015 07:52:30 pm

What at insightful interview, Jamie. Looking at your website...seriously...your artwork is jaw-dropping. Inspiring. And I'm proud to be included in a book with your creation on the front cover. Nice work.

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Debbie link
8/17/2015 11:46:44 pm

Hi Judith, Mike and Mark- Thanks for stopping by. Jamie is very talented :)

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April Grey link
8/18/2015 01:43:40 am

Terrific cover and lovely interview!

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Debbie link
8/18/2015 02:39:12 am

Hi April - How have you been? So glad you stopped by.


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Carole Ann Moleti link
8/18/2015 07:40:57 am

The cover for Fiends is gorgeous and I love your work. Thanks for sharing insights in to your creative process with us.

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Pamela Turner link
8/18/2015 08:25:15 am

Love to hear about an artist's creative processes. Great interview! Look forward to seeing more of your work, Jamie.

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Jamie C
8/24/2015 11:14:55 pm

Thanks to everyone for their encouraging comments about my work, and thank you Debbie for including my interview on your blog, I really appreciate it.

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    Debbie Christiana
    Author of Paranormal Romance, Dark Romantic Fiction & Short Dark Fiction. Lover of Halloween, Horror, Yoga and Wine

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  • DEBBIE CHRISTIANA
  • BOOKS
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