ROYAL ASSASSIN (1997) by Michael Whelan, cover for the second book in the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb.

We’ve gotten a number of requests for this piece over the years. And we get just as many questions about why Michael only illustrated two covers in this popular series. You’ll see clues to that in the accompanying photos.

Even though Fitz wields an axe in the book, the sales department wanted a sword on the cover. The change was based solely on marketability, and for an artist who has always prided himself on accuracy to the author’s words, that created an artistic dilemma.

In the end, Michael made the requested change but opted not to return for the last installment of the trilogy. It’s a shame because these are excellent books.

Source: michaelwhelan.com

realm-of-the-elderlings:

fitzandthefool:

theartofmichaelwhelan:

A preliminary concept by Michael Whelan for Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

Okay y’all know I love everything about these books, even the ridiculous cover art, but here’s my question—why the fuck does everything about the cover art contradict the very clear and specific descriptions in the book?

Why do they both have short hair when long hair is an established part of six duchies culture? Why is chade’s face as smooth and clear as a baby’s bottom when his severely pocked visage was the entire reason he began his self-imposed seclusion? Why are fitz and chade both fucking white as fuck when it is repeated multiple ass times that their Farseer blood is plain in their appearances and the Farseer line is characteristically dark of skin, eye, and hair??? Why the fuck is nosy a golden ass retriever???????

yeah…

reblogging again because those are some very good questions..

Art direction is a funny thing.  

When you have a clear departure from the manuscript description by an artist who has been known throughout his career for his attention to detail, it’s possible that marketing imperatives trumped editorial consistency.  

Other interesting questions to ask about the original editions of the Farseer Trilogy published by Bantam:  Why was it a sword instead of an axe on the cover of book 2?  Why didn’t Michael Whelan illustrate book 3?

I appreciate the passion of fandom but sometimes I wonder if rants like this ever take into account the business behind book publishing.  The end product of an illustration is unfortunately never free from marketing influence, and art direction is rarely ever as literal to the detail of the manuscript as fans would like it to be.

Michael usually politely sidesteps such commentary because there is no answering the flames of fandom, but I’ll add my two cents here for him.  If you’re ever confused about why a cover turned out the way it did, our question box is always open.  Thanks!

~MJ

(via llyiek)

Source: michaelwhelan.com

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