Vintage Horror Novel Cover Artwork
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I’ve brought my horror manuscript to life; now it needs a cover that can make readers feel a chill before they even turn the first page. The atmosphere must be dark and eerie, yet filtered through a vintage aesthetic—aged colors, worn-paper textures, maybe even distressed typography that nods to classic pulp releases.
A central image of an aquarium is non-negotiable: the glass, the water’s distortions, the lurking shapes inside—all key to the story’s tension. Beyond that anchor, I’m open to your interpretation so long as the result stays rooted in that bygone-era style rather than modern digital gloss.
This is a fully collaborative project. I will provide an excerpt from my manuscript to give the artist an understanding of what I'd generally like, and then I'm open to some creative amendments. Expect to swap sketches and ideas so we can refine composition, palette, and typography together. I’m commissioning two distinct variants (for example, one focused tightly on the tank, another pulling back to reveal its ominous surroundings) and would like both delivered in:
• Print-ready PDF or TIFF (CMYK, 300 dpi) with full wrap—front, spine, back
• A layered source file (PSD or similar) for future tweaks
• A web-optimised JPEG for online stores
All artwork must be original and human-made; no AI-generated elements or assets at any stage. If you work traditionally, that’s great—just provide high-resolution scans. If you prefer digital, be sure textures and brushes support the vintage feel.
Once the two finals meet the agreed mood, aquarium prominence, and vintage look, the project is complete and I’ll release payment in full. Let’s breathe unsettling life into this cover together.
A central image of an aquarium is non-negotiable: the glass, the water’s distortions, the lurking shapes inside—all key to the story’s tension. Beyond that anchor, I’m open to your interpretation so long as the result stays rooted in that bygone-era style rather than modern digital gloss.
This is a fully collaborative project. I will provide an excerpt from my manuscript to give the artist an understanding of what I'd generally like, and then I'm open to some creative amendments. Expect to swap sketches and ideas so we can refine composition, palette, and typography together. I’m commissioning two distinct variants (for example, one focused tightly on the tank, another pulling back to reveal its ominous surroundings) and would like both delivered in:
• Print-ready PDF or TIFF (CMYK, 300 dpi) with full wrap—front, spine, back
• A layered source file (PSD or similar) for future tweaks
• A web-optimised JPEG for online stores
All artwork must be original and human-made; no AI-generated elements or assets at any stage. If you work traditionally, that’s great—just provide high-resolution scans. If you prefer digital, be sure textures and brushes support the vintage feel.
Once the two finals meet the agreed mood, aquarium prominence, and vintage look, the project is complete and I’ll release payment in full. Let’s breathe unsettling life into this cover together.