So I have been going around different websites including DeviantArt and there are a lot of commercial free stock that I have found. As an aspiring artist it thrills me specially since I'm usually on a budget. Who doesn't love
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/chloe2707/ani-free-stuff.gif
?

Most of the artist that provide their free stock are merely asking for a comment to their work, some do not even require to be given credit (which is truly kind of their part). Most of the time it requires to read their rules as well. There are some artist that will only let you use their stock if it is for a certain website and not for print. The tricky but not difficult part is to read the "RULES".

Since I'm pretty sure I am not the only one who struggles finding free stock to make their covers. I will post at least 1 stock every two weeks or depending on my findings I will post more. Images I will post will be free to use commercially unless stated otherwise. Now if you would also like to participate and share your findings here are the rules:

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w468/MissKyuhyunCho/rules.jpg

1. If the artist asks to be given credit please make sure you write that at the bottom of the link.

2. Following number one rule, post a link to where you found the image in case artist requires a comment, a thank you, etc.

3. Please state if the image can be used commercially (meaning it can be sold as print, ebook, etc) or state if it can be only used for personal use (for example like ebook that will be free and not sold).

For those who will use the stock:

Most artist do require that you alter the stock, meaning not leave it as it is. You can add text to the stock, manipulate it with a software, add other things, etc.

So that's it for now...

Oh and one more thing.... HAVE FUN!!

HOW TO MAKE A GREAT BOOK COVER

I think it's about time that we start a discussion based on how to make a cover. There are lots of talented artists on the site, so please feel free to share your tips in this thread. Here is my step-by-step instructions for creating a cover in Picasa . If they are too small, make your screen bigger (for PCs it's Control and the + button)

1. Download Picasa (it's free!):
http://picasa.google.com/

2. Add your photos to Picasa:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_2.jpg

3. If you are going to edit a single photo, all you need to do is double click on it and play around with the settings:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_3.jpg

4. If you want to use more than one image, first you need to click the "Create Photo Collage" button - it's quite small:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_1.jpg

5. Now you need to select the images you want to use. After you have selected them, you can choose which setting you want:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_4.jpg

6. Collage Setting: Picture Pile
a) First I selected the setting "Picture Pile", then I moved back to the Clips tab and made the Notebook photo into the background picture:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_5.jpg

b) This particular cover is for a travel book, so I am going to make the other images look like instant photos. Click on the image, then click on the button that looks like an instant photo. Repeat for all images. Don't forget that you can rearrange them at any time:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_6.jpg

c) Hit "Create Collage" button after everything is in place:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_7.jpg

d) Add text:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_8.jpg

e) Choose whatever font style, size and color that suits your book. Just click anywhere on the image to start writing. After you are finished, click the "Apply" button:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_9.jpg

f) Go to the "File" tab and save your work.
Here is the finished product:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_jetlagged.jpg

7. Collage Setting: Multiple Exposure (to overlap images) Make sure you click "Create Collage afterwards to start editing:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_10.jpg

a) After they were overlapped, I decided to play around with some settings, first the lighting:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_11.jpg

b) Next, the "Lomo-ish" feature, and then the Cinemascope and removed the Letterbox:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_12.jpg

c) Then I added text and hit "Apply" and it was all finished:

http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_workshop_2.jpg

So, it's pretty simple - and I must admit - lots of fun! Please let me know if you have any questions about the process! Keep in mind, it's will take a lot of trial and error before you get the hang of it!

Now go forth and make great covers!

Welcome all to: T H E A R T G A L L E R Y

This is where ArtWriters members may showcase their work for the benefit of the community.

We have one rule. If someone posts a piece of Art, please make a substantial comment on the thread before you post your own. If we see two pieces of art work together without a comment in-between, your post will be deleted.

N.B If we do delete your work, we will inform you by private message. We will give you the option to re-submit, not forgetting to comment on the piece before yours.

You can showcase anything here that is Art driven; illustrations, WIP, book covers, videos, etc etc.

We’ll look forward to seeing your work.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc83/ProudArmyFiancee/glitter%20words/pinkglittermel.gif

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/lipglosslovexo/ipink.gif
<32>,
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/cuteandspoiled12/My%20Sparkles/Tanya.gif
and
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/Cheryl_Lynn7284/Pictures/Girly%20shit%20and%20friends/WENDY-glittertext.gif

Welcome to: THE ART SHOP

This is where anyone and everyone may advertise their artistic skills. We shall be seeking Artists on the internet who may post here with their links, so that you, if you wish, may commission them for work. ArtWriters members may also offer their services here, if you’d leek to do covers or even if you’d be prepared to do video teasers for free or for money, post it here.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc83/ProudArmyFiancee/glitter%20words/pinkglittermel.gif

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/lipglosslovexo/ipink.gif
<32>,
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/cuteandspoiled12/My%20Sparkles/Tanya.gif
and
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/Cheryl_Lynn7284/Pictures/Girly%20shit%20and%20friends/WENDY-glittertext.gif

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q461/XxMeli_J_NightlyxX/logocontest.jpg

We invite all ArtWriter members to pick a Bookrix group from the list below and re-design their logo.

You can design anything you like, as long as the design is original and all your own work.

All logos must be pitched on this thread in 7cm x 7cm format, 4cm x 4cm AND 2cm x 2cm.
(Examples below) this is so that we can see the detail in the larger format and also to see if if shows up well when it's smaller.

Put the name of the group in the subject line and upload the logo as a picture (not a link), with a few words to explain why you chose that group and what inspired you to create the logo.

When you have pitched your design, the ArtWriters moderators will invite the mods of your chosen group to look at your logo to see if they would like to adopt it for their own use.

It is perfectly all right for all moderators to decline every pitch.

If your logo is accepted, you must liaise with the moderator to upload the artwork for their own use.

The 'Pitch a Logo' concept is for fun only, so you must be prepared to give up all rights to your artwork when it is adopted by a group.

Any logos accepted by a group for their own use will be featured on our Facebook page along with the name of the artist.

Good luck and have fun.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc83/ProudArmyFiancee/glitter%20words/pinkglittermel.gif

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/lipglosslovexo/ipink.gif

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/cuteandspoiled12/My%20Sparkles/Tanya.gif
and
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/Cheryl_Lynn7284/Pictures/Girly%20shit%20and%20friends/WENDY-glittertext.gif

NOTE: These are the groups that have decided to participate so far. So pick and choose whichever group from this list. We are pending some group's approval.

Gothicworld http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-gothicworld
Unlock your Imagination http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-unlock-your-imagination
Classic Books http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-the-classics-club
The Reading List http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-the-reading-list Done
Serious writers http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-serious-writers
The Coffee Shop http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-the-coffee-shop
Mystery and Suspense http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-mystery-writers
Bloody Horror http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-bloody-horrors
Mythology and Legends http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-mythology-and-legends
Memories http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-memories
The writers Block http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-the-writer-s-block
Write Brained http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-write-brained
Lots of love and laughs http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-lots-of-love-and-laughs new Done
Slayers Unite http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-slayers-unitenew
The Writer's Experience Radio Show http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-the-writer-s-experience-radio-show-1 new

Format size examples:

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q461/XxMeli_J_NightlyxX/welcometobRlogo.jpg
7cm x 7cm

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q461/XxMeli_J_NightlyxX/welcometobRlogosmallsize.jpg
4cm x 4cm

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q461/XxMeli_J_NightlyxX/welcometobRlogotinysize.jpg
2cm x 2cm

Acknowledgements: "New to bookrix logo" created by writingmum.