Cover Design
The Bear, by Marian Engel, is about a sexual but spiritual relationship that takes place between an emotionally unbalanced librarian and the island resident bear.
Various gradients of burgundy were used for the composition of the bear to show the depth and form of the origami shape and to give the illusion of folds. Burgundy is made by adding Purple to red. These two colours often represent spirituality, mystery, passion, drama, and danger foreshadowing the theme of the novel. Because burgundy is a mixture of the two colours, it also often portrays aggression and lust. The background is a radial gradient of greys and white with a mezzotint pixelate effect to give it a rough appearance. Grey was used to contrast nicely against the burgundy, making the bear
pop off the page and the central focus point. Grey also depicts the young woman’s story of loss, boredom, and emotional unbalance into a whirlwind of passion, and danger. Within the radial gradient, white surrounds the bear as to symbolize the animal as a sign of spirituality. Scratches were created to accompany the illustration to depict intrigue on the cover as well as foreshadow new beginnings. The character’s unconventional relationship with the bear ends when the bear scratches her deeply in the back which changes the bond between them forever. She leaves the island with a sense of renewal.
pop off the page and the central focus point. Grey also depicts the young woman’s story of loss, boredom, and emotional unbalance into a whirlwind of passion, and danger. Within the radial gradient, white surrounds the bear as to symbolize the animal as a sign of spirituality. Scratches were created to accompany the illustration to depict intrigue on the cover as well as foreshadow new beginnings. The character’s unconventional relationship with the bear ends when the bear scratches her deeply in the back which changes the bond between them forever. She leaves the island with a sense of renewal.
