Smut by Alan Bennett (Picador)
One of England’s finest and most loved writers explores the uncomfortable and tragicomic gap between people’s public appearance and their private desires in two tender and surprising stories.
Originally I wanted him to depict just one set of teacups caught in a sexual position rendered with plenty of details, as in the photographic approach. But when I saw all of illustrator Christopher Silas Neal’s great “cupping” sketch ideas I laughed. I couldn’t choose just one. So I decided to include several of them in the design and kept them as simply drawn silhouettes. I’m surprised we didn’t try any ideas with a tea bag. Next time.
Archer is the perfect type for the topic — outwardly quiet and proper but with an unexpected dash of whimsy.
Early comp.
Early comp.
Tiffany Gibert of Books Matter Blog used our cover to pick out her outfit.
Early comp.
