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Out doing research for my third novel in The After series-The Invasion (which is now complete!).
Due to be released Fall of 2025. The second novel in The After Series-Survival—is AVAILABLE NOW! I am currently writing Book Four in the After Series, The Journey. |
Jill Brien
Cover Artist of The After and Survival
Jill is a third-year student at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When not immersed in her coursework, she explores her many interests, such as soccer, reading, and experimenting with various art forms. Jill enjoys spending time with friends and her two older sisters outside of her creative pursuits, finding a perfect balance between her academic and personal life.
Q&A with Jill Brien
Did you take art or computer courses in high school or university? If so, which ones?
Yes, I took some fun art classes in high school! I did art in grade 10 and 11, and I also took a Tech-ed course where I got to learn the basics surrounding computers and make creative projects. These classes helped me discover how awesome it is to be creative! But when I got to university, I decided to focus on business instead of art. Still, I always love finding ways to be creative, no matter what I’m studying!
When you finish university, do you want to be an artist?
When I finish university, I want to have a job where I can use both my business knowledge and creativity. That’s why I chose marketing as my major. In marketing, I can come up with fun, creative ideas while also using the skills I’ve learned in business.
We were told you read the book before you drew the cover. The author thinks that makes a difference—do you?
Yes, I believe it’s really important to dive into the story before drawing the cover! When you read the book, you start to see things that aren’t always obvious just from the words. It lets your imagination run wild and helps you understand the characters and their journey better. That way, I can choose the best colors and designs that match the mood and flow of the story.
Do you sketch the cover before you start using colour?
Yes, I always start by sketching the cover on paper first! I like to figure out where the character will stand, if she’s facing us or looking away, and what details should go around her. Once I have that all figured out, I take my idea to my iPad and make a light sketch to see where everything will go. It’s like creating a blueprint before adding the fun colors.
Did J. Taylor tell you what to draw?
For the first book, I asked J. Taylor to tell me some things to include on the cover, like Spencer, greenery, Anna, and Charlotte, to make sure I got the right details. But for the second and third books, I had more freedom to use my own creative ideas and design the covers however I wanted, and I am very thankful for that.
What program do you use to design the covers? How did you learn to use the program?
I use an app called Infinite Painter to design my covers! I love this app because it starts with a blank canvas and gives me so many ways to add color, like with a pen, pencil, paint, spray, or even charcoal. Plus, I can zoom in super close to make tiny details look just right! I learned how to use it little by little while working on the first book, and now I’m really comfortable using it.
How long does it take —from start to finish—to complete a novel cover picture?
It takes me about 2 months to finish a novel cover, from the brainstorming stage to the final design. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but I usually spend just 1 or 2 hours a night working on it. If I were making covers as a full-time job, I’d need to work faster. But just like you, I’m still learning and improving along the way.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I really enjoy playing hockey and soccer. Both sports are a great way to have fun, stay active, and challenge myself. When I’m not playing sports, I love spending time with my friends and family. Whether we're going on adventures, playing games, or just relaxing, being with them always makes me happy.
Cover Artist of The After and Survival
Jill is a third-year student at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When not immersed in her coursework, she explores her many interests, such as soccer, reading, and experimenting with various art forms. Jill enjoys spending time with friends and her two older sisters outside of her creative pursuits, finding a perfect balance between her academic and personal life.
Q&A with Jill Brien
Did you take art or computer courses in high school or university? If so, which ones?
Yes, I took some fun art classes in high school! I did art in grade 10 and 11, and I also took a Tech-ed course where I got to learn the basics surrounding computers and make creative projects. These classes helped me discover how awesome it is to be creative! But when I got to university, I decided to focus on business instead of art. Still, I always love finding ways to be creative, no matter what I’m studying!
When you finish university, do you want to be an artist?
When I finish university, I want to have a job where I can use both my business knowledge and creativity. That’s why I chose marketing as my major. In marketing, I can come up with fun, creative ideas while also using the skills I’ve learned in business.
We were told you read the book before you drew the cover. The author thinks that makes a difference—do you?
Yes, I believe it’s really important to dive into the story before drawing the cover! When you read the book, you start to see things that aren’t always obvious just from the words. It lets your imagination run wild and helps you understand the characters and their journey better. That way, I can choose the best colors and designs that match the mood and flow of the story.
Do you sketch the cover before you start using colour?
Yes, I always start by sketching the cover on paper first! I like to figure out where the character will stand, if she’s facing us or looking away, and what details should go around her. Once I have that all figured out, I take my idea to my iPad and make a light sketch to see where everything will go. It’s like creating a blueprint before adding the fun colors.
Did J. Taylor tell you what to draw?
For the first book, I asked J. Taylor to tell me some things to include on the cover, like Spencer, greenery, Anna, and Charlotte, to make sure I got the right details. But for the second and third books, I had more freedom to use my own creative ideas and design the covers however I wanted, and I am very thankful for that.
What program do you use to design the covers? How did you learn to use the program?
I use an app called Infinite Painter to design my covers! I love this app because it starts with a blank canvas and gives me so many ways to add color, like with a pen, pencil, paint, spray, or even charcoal. Plus, I can zoom in super close to make tiny details look just right! I learned how to use it little by little while working on the first book, and now I’m really comfortable using it.
How long does it take —from start to finish—to complete a novel cover picture?
It takes me about 2 months to finish a novel cover, from the brainstorming stage to the final design. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but I usually spend just 1 or 2 hours a night working on it. If I were making covers as a full-time job, I’d need to work faster. But just like you, I’m still learning and improving along the way.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I really enjoy playing hockey and soccer. Both sports are a great way to have fun, stay active, and challenge myself. When I’m not playing sports, I love spending time with my friends and family. Whether we're going on adventures, playing games, or just relaxing, being with them always makes me happy.
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