Michael Whelan2010: ODYSSEY TWO (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 30" x 20"
When legendary publisher Judy-Lynn del Rey asked me to do the cover to the sequel to 2001 by Arthur C. Clarke she said, "What we're looking for here is a 'big book look'." 1/3
I knew what she really meant was "mainstream bestseller" look.
The book and the movie by Stanley Kubrick are all-time favorites so I felt the pressure even more. I did 10 preliminary roughs or comps (unlike the customary 2-4)... 2/3
...and agonized over using airbrush almost exclusively to achieve that diffuse, soft-edged quality. It was worth it—the publisher was thrilled with the result and even the artist was pleased!
https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/2010-odyssey-two/
3/3
Son of a Sailor@MichaelWhelan Another classic cover for a classic book (that I have in my library 🙂).