The Story Behind the Cover Art and a Video of the Painting Process

Scheduled for release on April 5th! "The House with the Cream-Yellow Sea and Spring Cabbage"

I would like to write a little bit about the cover art from my perspective.

One day,
a meeting about the book design was held via Zoom.

"Nice to meet you,"

I said, greeting them with a racing heart as the meeting began.

What kind of painting should it be...?
The keywords were "cabbage, cooking, colors that stand out in a bookstore," and they also said, "Basically, I want you to draw freely, but with a delicate touch, and no people."
I discussed this with editor K and the designer. (For details, please see editor K's diary...)https://webtripper.jp/n/n754f76034c52

Since this was my first cover art job, perhaps seeing that I was nervous and a bit confused during the meeting,
the veteran designer, Matsu-san, while looking at my Instagram,

"How about a painting like this bird illustration, where the viewer can imagine their own thoughts?"

That was one of the pieces of advice among the various suggestions they gave me.

Oh, I see...!
If it's like that, maybe I can draw it in my own style...!

With those words, the tension eased, and at the same time as feeling relieved, the image began to expand softly in my mind.

If it's too abstract, people won't know what the book is about.
I want to include cabbage and cooking.

“The House with the Cream-Yellow Sea and Spring Cabbage” is not just a story about cooking. Reading this novel moved me, warmed my heart, and had a real drama to it. The delicate use of language also brought beautiful scenes to mind.

The keywords cabbage, cooking, beautiful scenery, and delicate come to mind.

Alright, I'll just draw.
I'll get my hands moving.
Instead of thinking with my head first,
I've just finished reading the book and my heart is still warm.
Let's try drawing happily just as I feel without thinking about anything!

So, keeping the emotion I felt after finishing the book in my heart,
I relaxed and proceeded to draw, keeping in mind my usual goal of "having fun."

First, I sent an email to editor K saying, "I'm drawing in this direction for now," and while listening to their feedback, I added various things.

The designer, Matsu-san, created a wonderful design with the finished painting.

I asked everyone for their opinions on several patterns for the title design on Note and X, and in the end, they edited it to have colors that would stand out in a bookstore, and that is how it was finally completed.

The editor and designer are amazing... I think it must have been hard work, and seeing the wonderful cover design makes me feel relieved and happy.

Drawing cover art has been a dream of mine for a long time.
How many times have I wondered if this is a dream...?

(The other day, editor K sent me a sample of the novel. I almost teared up and ended up bragging to my family about it many times...)

To the author, Nanten Seyama, who chose my art from among many illustrators,
to editor K at Asahi Shimbun Publications, who was very kind and always gave me warm words,
and to Matsu-san from bookwall, who designed it so beautifully and adjusted the colors until the very end.

And to everyone on Note who gave me warm comments, DMs, and likes, thank you so much.

The novel "Cream Yellow Sea and the House with Spring Cabbage" is scheduled for release on April 5th.
I would be very happy if you could pick up a copy and read it.

And I would be even happier if you looked at the illustration again after you finish reading.

The other day, a noter commented that the video of me drawing is interesting, so I made a video for the Cream Cabbage cover art.

(Personally, I think the music on Instagram is a bit more upbeat than on X.)

"Cream Yellow Sea and the House with Spring Cabbage"
Author: Nanten Seyama
Publisher: Asahi Shimbun Publications
Design: bookwall
Cover Art: Pun