Recently Chicken House announced some big news, not only were they publishing a new edition of bestselling fantasy novel Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, but a sequel was also in the works. We were lucky to be offered the chance to work on both titles twice over - Laura Ellen Anderson created the cover artwork for both books (seen here), while Alexis Snell was commissioned to create maps of Funke's fantasy world for the interiors.
We always love to show the process behind Alexis' work. An 'old-school' linocut artist, Alexis works completely traditionally, and after so many years honing her craft is incredibly adept at getting the smallest detail - not to mention all that backwards typography - into her work. Before they are even inked, her linocuts are a work of art.
'I always enjoy working with Chicken House and this was a particularly lovely project. I learnt how to do the cartouches from a previous job with the V&A so it was fun to return to them again here - and who doesn't love a map in a book!?' - Alexis Snell
Below are the finished maps found at the front of each book. Dragon Rider and Dragon Rider: The Griffin's Feather are published by Chicken House and hit the shelves next month.
Below are the finished maps found at the front of each book. Dragon Rider and Dragon Rider: The Griffin's Feather are published by Chicken House and hit the shelves next month.
