A Midsummer Night's Dream Assignment

I was given the plum assignment recently to design the cover for Prestwick House's Touchstone Classic Edition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

I created one a few years ago, for a different edition, but I was never completely satisfied with my depiction of Nick Bottom (the peasant in the play who is transformed into an Ass). It seemed a bit too easy to simply place a donkey's head onto a model's body (although many engravings and paintings illustrate his "condition" in this way). Today's high school students (the intended audience) expect something a bit more sophisticated in this age of digital film effects. A "morphing" image between a human and a donkey would work much better I thought, if I could find the right models for the job (man and donkey).

My first attempt in 2004 – a little too pasted-on looking for me.

I sketched out a thumbnail and decided that it needed a few woodland faeries flying about his head to add movement and color.

Enlisting the help of some willing co-workers as models, I rented 2 faerie costumes and purchased a few inexpensive props such as silk flowers for the headbands, Halloween close-out faerie wings, and a roll of burlap from the local hardware store.

Assembling a few lights and a fan I photographed all the subjects separately keeping the same settings in the camera to ensure the exposures would be consistent. The models were wonderful and posed their hearts out. Thanks Paul, Kathy, Annie, and Jen.

The CD of "Faerie music" played during the shoot helped put everyone in a magical mood.

Paul H. The perfect model for Nick Bottom. A good sport too as he knew I was going to transform him into an Ass.

Annie looking wistful.

Jen about ready to take flight.

Kathy taking direction like a pro.

Annie from the finished cover.

...and Jen, the green faerie.

Kathy whispering "faeriespeak" into Nick's ear.

The completed cover.

Inside spreads.

All images Copyright 2008 by Prestwick House, Inc.