In Episode 606. Behind the Scenes of Classic Cover Art: Shirley Green and Sharon Spiak, I learned about the behind-the-scenes process of creating some of the romance covers I know very well. It was a fascinating conversation, and if you’re at all interested, there’s a transcript as well as a few pictures in the show notes.
I also did a bonus episode video for the members of the podcast Patreon sharing images that Sharon and Shirley sent me, as well as a clip where they described one major photoshoot that became the stepback for the original cover Elizabeth Hoyt’s Scandalous Desires.
I had a really good time putting this together, and had additional images that didn’t fit in the podcast entry, so I thought you might like to see the bonus video, and check out the before/after cover images that show how the art moves from photograph to painting to book covers.
You can find Sharon Spiak on Instagram and at SharonSpiakArt.com. You can find Shirley Green’s portfolio and stock image collection at ShirleyGreenPhotography.com.
And you can find the podcast wherever you get your favorite shows, and find us on YouTube!
And here are some of the images they shared with me!
The cover for For the Love of a Pirate by Edith Layton is one of my all time favorites, as I’ve mentioned.
Here are some of the photos taken for that cover from the studio:
Check out the pillows and the benches! Eventually, they’ll be jagged rocks, but I’m sure the models appreciated the pillows!
This is in the video but I love the progression from photo to painting to cover for A Duchess a Day:
Note the hands in the lower right holding the dress out, and the stool with the phone book? maybe? (remember those?) behind him.
And, of course, the cover:
Wow, right? Gorgeous.
Also in the video, but still worth looking at again:
Bridal gown, check.
Shirt unbuttoned but STILL TUCKED IN? Check!
The painting:
And the stepback for Marrying Winterbourne:
Isn’t that wild?
Here’s the stepback process for Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt
Per Elizabeth Hoyt’s fabulous Pinterest, I know that the models pictured are Thierry Pepin and Michelle Cortabitarte. Lots of cushions! And a wooden bench or box!
And the resulting stepback image:
Seriously I could look at these all day. Fascinating.
But as I learned during the recording (and the audio was not usable, alas) the real star of every photo shoot is Rocky.
This is Rocky the Rockstarr Pomeranian, who you can follow on Instagram.
Rocky is clearly underused as a book cover model, right?
Shirt! Unbuttoned! But Still Tucked In!
And a very handsome Rocky.
Here’s cowboy Rocky with Timothy Adams:
The hat, y’all.
Goggles?
Goggles!
One more of Rocky? Yes, one more!
As I mentioned, if this is your thing, you can find Sharon Spiak on Instagram and at SharonSpiakArt.com.
You can find Shirley Green’s portfolio and stock image collection at ShirleyGreenPhotography.com.
MOST importantly, Rocky the Rockstarr Pomeranian is on Instagram!
And you can find the podcast wherever you get your favorite shows, and find us on YouTube!
What are some of your favorite classic covers?