THE YEAR OF SHADOWS Cover Reveal Week - Day 1– Exclusive Early Sketches and the Illustrator Reveal

Today, I have a special treat for you—Day 1 of Claire Legrand’s The Year of Shadows cover reveal! Be sure to check out The Book Smugglers tomorrow for Day 2—interviews with the illustrator and Simon & Schuster art director, as well as a peek at the interior illustrations—and Mundie Moms/Mundie Kids on Day 3, Thursday, to see the final cover and the first page of the book!

Here at IceyBooks, I’m thrilled to reveal the illustrator for The Year of Shadows and share his initial sketch of the main character, Olivia!

And the illustrator is . . .
Karl Kwasny!


For those unfamiliar with the wildly talented Mr. Kwasny, be sure to check out his Tumblr, where he regularly posts sketches, finished pieces, and stunning original lettering. You can also visit him on Twitter and at his official website.

Check out a few of Claire’s favorite Karl Kwasny pieces:







And here’s a note from Claire:

Hi, y’all! I am THRILLED to reveal Karl as the illustrator for The Year of Shadows. As you can see, he is one crazy talented artist, with an impeccable eye for whimsy, beauty, and darkness. I knew right away when I first saw his work that he would be the perfect illustrator for Olivia’s story, and when I started seeing his initial cover and character sketches, I was completely blown away.

For example, take a look at his initial sketch of Olivia, the main character of The Year of Shadows:



Isn’t she WONDERFUL? Karl perfectly captured so much of Olivia here—her look, her attitude, even her vulnerability. Don’t you just want to hug her and say, “It’ll be all right, sweetie. Don’t frown so much. Also, can I have your jacket?”

Thank you so much for celebrating cover reveal week with me—and thank you, Hafsah, for hosting!

Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win one of SEVEN prizes Claire’s giving away to celebrate the cover reveal, including



Seven prizes, seven winners . . . and one winner gets an ARC!

You can comment on each day’s post—today, tomorrow, and Thursday—for a chance to win, but each entrant is only eligible to win one prize each. This contest is U.S./Canada only, begins TODAY, and ends next Thursday, February 7th. Winners will be announced later that day (and winners of the film scores will get to choose which score they want from a list!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more on Claire and The Year of Shadows:
By at 12:03 AM
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64 comments:

  1. I play the violin and the piano!

    I love everything I've heard about the Year of Shadows so far.

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  2. She looks awesome! I love the illustration on this, fantastic job. Kudos to you and Karl :-)

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  3. Oh man...awesome, awesome artwork, and I can totally see how the Kwasny and Legrand aesthetics seem to be made for each other. Love it!

    I play(ed) the clarinet...I got pretty ok at it pretty fast, but I only played for three or four years so I never got great at it. I wish I hadn't had to choose between band, singing in the school madrigal group (nerdalert) and acting classes (but what a wonderful problem to have, especially at a poor urban HS.) But my real wish is that I could play the piano or guitar--something a little more social, something that people could sing along to.

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  5. I don't play an instrument any more. But I used to play the piano!!

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  6. I play the piano!

    That artwork is gorgeous. Thanks for the great giveaway! :)

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  8. I played the violin!

    Kwasny is the perfect illustrator for Claire's books, his artwork is amazing! Congratulations to all!

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  9. Olivia is so adorable!! I really like Kwasny's work. I think it's great that your cover reveal actually features the illustrator instead of just the cover <3 I taught myself to play piano..not very well, mind you, but I loved it!

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  10. I'm an opera singer, so I work with my voice box... does that count?

    I'm also desperate for The Year of Shadows, and LOVE the Olivia print. You know, Claire, that's EXACTLY what I wanted to say to her. Took the words right out of my mouth.

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  11. I play a little bit of everything. This book will look amazing; I just know it.

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  12. I don't play an instrument, but if I did, it would be guitar! Or maybe the fiddle, since I love country music!

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  13. I've played a few instruments--I was really good at flute, for awhile, and picked up the melaphone (the marching band version of the french horn) for marching band in high school. The only one I've kept up with though, is viola. I love chamber string music!

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  14. I used to play the piano, once upon a time... and I wish I played the ukulele. :)

    Olivia is PERFECT. Can't wait to see more, Claire!

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  15. I've always wanted to learn to play an instrument but never did. I'd love to play piano (it's so versatile!) but I'd really, really love to be able to play the cello. It's my fave.

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  16. ove to play some exotic instrument that would ate my breath away.

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  17. A story about ghosts in an old theater? I am all about it. I can't wait to read it!

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  18. I play the recorder...does that count? Or at least I used to in fifth grade...

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  19. I don't play an musical instrument, but if i could ( which means if i had the patience) then i would play the violin or the piano :D
    And i cannot wait to read this book!!

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  20. I played the flute. Sometimes I want to give it a go again.

    Oh, good. Olivia looks amazing.

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  21. Oh man, the illustration with the lil lady feeding the birds... may have something in my eye, this silly dusty office!

    Olivia looks amazing. I love her knees (weird, i know) and wary facial expression!

    So excited to read it!

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  22. Wow, he did awesome! I love Olivia! There are just some artists who really get a character!

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  23. Um, I would love to play ALL THE INSTRUMENTS!! Unfortunately, I am pretty sure I am tone deaf and do not have a musical bone in my body. Luckily, I can live vicariously through books! Love the illustrations for THE YEAR OF THE SHADOWS. You're right, Claire, I do want her jacket.

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  24. ANGRY FISH TAXI!

    Also, I used to play the clarinet/bass clarinet. And I can pretend my way through some songs on the guitar.

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  25. I love the illustrations! This makes me so excited to see the cover! As for musical instruments, I play the flute and the Chinese zither. Unfortunately, I don't play either of them particularly well. Haha.

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  27. I took piano lessons for 8 years and still love to play, though I'm not terribly good! Also, I'm super excited that Karl Kwasny is the illustrator for THE YEAR OF SHADOWS. He created my cover too, as well as GENIE WISHES by Elisabeth Dahl. SO talented!

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  28. I tried playing the guitar and had no hand-eye coordination - it was awful!

    I wished I could play the piano - maybe I'll try that next!

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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  29. Actually I played the violin for three years but if I had my choice I would play the piano.
    Thanks!

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  30. I don't play any music instrument, but if I could I'd want to play the violin or the piano.

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  31. How can I not be longing for this? I only recently finished Cavendish, which I loved - Plus I do play an instrument. Or 2. (Piano/gtr.).

    As to Olivia, it always amazes me how an artist like this can capture so much in so few strokes. And that pram!

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    1. I know, Kit, the pram ... I noticed that on Karl's Tumblr and loved it too.

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  32. I played the violin once upon a time, though I wasn't particularly good at it.

    That art is absolutely gorgeous - and Olivia looks amazing. Oh, I cannot WAIT.

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  33. I don't play an instrument, though I wished I was able to play the piano! It would be so amazing!

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  34. We could win prints? AWESOMEEE!
    Love this contest.

    I don't play an instrument but I wish I played the piano.

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  35. Can't wait to see what Claire does with a ghost story and it looks like the illustrator is a perfect match!

    I don't play an instrument but I've been listening to Basia Bulat and I think the autoharp would be about my speed if I played an instrument. I tried playing trumpet in elementary school but I failed...brrrruuuppttthh!

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  36. I would love to play the piano or violin. I have been kind of trying to learn how to play the keyboard and I can sort of play a couple easy things XD Maybe one day!

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  38. That sketch of Olivia is SO awesome!

    I'm a percussionist, with a music ed degree. So technically I can play all brass, woodwind, and string instruments. But that does not mean you want me to.

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  39. I'm in love already. Look at that buggy! the little old woman! I love illustrations like these.

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  40. I play piano but would love to learn flute and guitar too.

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  41. I played French horn from the time I was 9 through college. Now I do more singing than anything.

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  42. I play the piano, guitar, violin, clarinet, zither, and bagpipes. ^.^ I'd like to learn the erhu, though. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  43. I play guitar. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  44. The artwork is great. Thanks for the giveaway and sharing this.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  45. I played the baritone for 5 years. :) I enjoyed it! But i whish I could play the violin! Anyways i LOVE the artwork! XD

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  46. I...played the recorder in elementary school? My brother was the one who received piano lessons. I painstakingly taught myself the right hand part of Greensleeves by dedicatedly watching him before he gave it up.

    I want Victoria and Olivia crossover fanart to exist. They're so different from each other.

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  47. Sweet! This book is going to be epic. Thanks for the contest!

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  48. Eeek! I LOVE these illustrations. Going to stalk Karl's tumblr after I get done here. I play the piano and the guitar a little. REALLY want to get back into playing piano. Also, forget her jacket Claire, I want HER SOCKS! :p

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  49. I play the piano! Although I don't play much anymore, even though I have TWO pianos at home. I really need to get back to it.

    Love the illustrations, and thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  50. This looks beautiful, and I cannot wait for this book! I play the violin. I'm moderately competent, but haven't played for a while. Still, I can read music and play by ear a bit. I love classical music, but my favorite thing to play has got to be celtic folksongs.

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  51. Karl Kwasny is a wonderful artist! I'm dying to read this! I actually play several instruments, but not overwhelmingly well. There's the piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet, and trombone. To be honest, I'd love to be able to sing.

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  52. I play the piano. Took lessons for 9 years. :D SO EXCITED for this book, Claire!

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  53. I don't play anything and I don't much care to play anything, but when I almost joined band in 5th grade I was rather fond of the flute.

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  54. I played the flute, tried the guitar, but always wanted to play the violin or the harp. The art is wonderful, can't wait to see it on my shelf. :)

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  55. I play viola, and I sing as well (sometimes I do both at once ;-D). I took piano as a child, but I never learned to play it really well -- maybe I will someday (I hope!)

    I LOVE that illustration, and I can't wait to read the book!

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  56. I don't but my great aunt was a concert pianist!! I LOVE music:) Especially classical music.

    These are absolutely beautiful drawings:)

    Thank you:)

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  57. I played the piano growing up, but now not so much : )

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  58. Sadly I do not play an instrument, but I did sing in my school choir for a very long time!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  59. I do not play any instruments, but I love to sing.

    If I learned to play an instrument, I'd love to learn the guitar.

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  60. In the days before American Pie, I always wanted to learn how to play the flute. I even refused to take music classes because my mom wanted me to play something else (no way), and she wouldn't budge from it. I generally tell people something generic like the piano or guitar, but it's always been the flute. *sigh*

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  61. I don't play an instrument. I used to play piano, but I went on strike until my parents let me quit. Now I wish I could play the guitar or the violin. I love the violin.

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  62. I'd love to get back into the piano. Or maybe play the guitar.

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  63. I have ALWAYS wanted to learn how to play the violin! I have owned one for 15 years and it has never been touched :(

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