Behind the Scenes: cover development for "One Night Adventure: The Tutor" (Patreon)

Last month, Riptoryx made available for download a 70+ page PDF showcasing concepts, drafts, revision commentary, and final versions for the various in-game illustrations commissioned to accompany "One Night Adventure: The Tutor."  

However, as comprehensive as his dissertation was, it didn't delve into the creation of the game's cover art, which served as the template for Silverpathfider's fabulous in-game illustrations.  This was due to the fact that while Riptoryx spearheaded our correspondence with Silv, I was the primary point person for the cover.  And while my back-and-forths with Monomaniac don't merit the extensive coverage of Riptoryx's lengthy email exchanges with Silv, I nevertheless wanted to share the behind-the-scenes machinations that went into creating Shelby's "Cover Girl" looks.      

I first reached out to Monomaniac regarding “The Tutor’s” cover on June 1, 2021—exactly a year before the game’s official release.  He did a great job on our first ONA game (“The Party”), so I was excited when he agreed to assist with the second. Not only does he do great work (his polished illustrations scream “cover art”), he’s extremely affable, enthusiastic, and prompt—three things you want from a commissioned artist. I also wanted to maintain continuity within the series. If we ever do a third installment (I’m still in recovery mode from the second), I hope he’ll work with us again.

Unlike Silv’s illustrations, which were commissioned after the game was in a reasonably completed state, the cover was completed in August, long before many of the scenarios illustrated in-game were even figments of my imagination. This was partly practical—we wanted a polished image of Shelby that could be used as a template for future illustrations—and partly because I needed motivation. The game was a bitch to compose and I nearly abandoned it several times. Commissioning the cover art upped the financial stakes and, better yet, provided me with a Rubenesque redhead for inspiration!

Here’s a segment from my original June 1, 2021 email to Mono:

"I am getting pretty far along on my next "One Night Adventure" game and am interested in commissioning you to do the cover art again.  In the game, you play a young High School history professor tasked with tutoring Shelby, the school's voluptuous and vapid sexpot who has to pass her history final in order to graduate.  Of course, studying is the last thing on her mind.  There is no "right" way to play, but ideally, you want to help Shelby pass the test without bribery, sexual extortion, or pissing off her cougar mother and over-protective behemoth father."

I then provided a draft from an early passage that described both Shelby and her family's "McMansion" before closing with the following:

"Shelby is still a girl emotionally, but, after gaining 50 pounds her senior year, is all woman physically.  I am totally open to your ideas as to pose/composition, but I figure Shelby in her pre-pubescent room with her post-pubescent body squeezed into that sundress is a good start!  The only thing I might ask for as a background--beyond the usual accouterments of a little girl's bedroom--is an open laptop on her desk...the video camera on which comes into play later (in all the ways you might expect)!"

A few days later, Mono emailed back, agreeing to the project, and with some follow-up questions about her appearance:

"Shelby's appearance doesn't exactly match any of my characters on file, so there'd be a little time spent on getting her features right. Before I propose a reference face, is there anyone you have in mind I could look at for inspiration?"

My response:

"In terms of a figure and face, I was thinking of a younger, more innocent version of Christina Hendricks (see attached).  I've also attached a gif I referenced when I was writing about Shelby's dimples."  

Here's the image and GIF:

Mono divulged to me that when reading the scene I included from the story he, too, thought of Christina Hendricks. In fact, he was going to recommend her as a reference for the character if I didn’t. Great minds…

In a series of subsequent emails, Mono and I discussed Shelby's pose, dress, and body type.  Unfortunately, the visuals we used for reference were hosted on imgur.com and have since been taken down.  Our correspondence won't make much sense without them so I won't post it here; however, here is a visual I sent for a potential pose:

Based on our back-and-forth, he provided the following:

While a great first attempt (that body--hubba, hubba!), the face didn't quite capture the essence of Shelby's character.  Here's my follow-up:

"Wow!  That's an impressive first go!  Shelby's dress, figure, and skin (love the touch of freckles!) are pretty much flawless...at least as they pertain to my vision of her.  Well done!

The only notes I have are from the neck up.  You've definitely captured a Christina Hendricks vibe, which is impressive, but she looks more like a contemporary Christina than a fresh-faced teenager.  I'm not exactly sure why, but I suspect part of it is attributable to her red hair, which looks dyed (especially in relation to her eyebrows), and her green eyes, which appear dark and overly made-up.  While a touch of make-up is fine and probably something Shelby would wear in anticipation of our titular tutor's arrival, she's a natural beauty first and foremost.  Maybe a slightly fuller face would help, too.

I'm also not wild about the smile.  I know, I mentioned dimples and you can't really show dimples without a smile (sorry), but it seems out of place.  Shelby definitely doesn't want to study, so a sexy pout makes more sense.  (Maybe her pinky could rest on her lips or near the corner of her mouth in a pouty "finger mouthing" thing?)

I've attached a couple of face photos, one of a younger Christina Hendricks and one of Katherine Langford, both of which demonstrate that natural beauty and youthful fullness.  And while they're not pouting, per se, I like the "you caught me but I don't really mind" vibe.  I also like the shy, sideways glance orientation."

Here are the additional reference visuals:

Mono, ever the pro, knocked it out of the park on his second try.  Here's the image with his introductory correspondence:

"I've tweaked Shelby's face a little, adjusting proportions, and textures, to bring out a more youthful appearance. I've also updated her pose to match your description, though I felt the index finger resting just below the lip looked more natural than the pinky.

I hope this is closer to what you're looking for. Let me know your thoughts when you're ready." 

And my enthusiastic response which segued into a discussion of the background:

"This definitely looks more like the Shelby I had in my mind.  Thank you for your excellent work!

As mentioned in previous e-mails, Shelby's is basically the quintessential girl's room.  (The brief scene I sent you describes it somewhat.)  The only special accouterments might be a laptop on her desk (which proves important to the plot because whatever happens in the bedroom is being filmed) and perhaps something to suggest Shelby's blossoming figure may be the result of sneaky after-hours snacking. (Junkfood wrappers under the bed maybe?)"

His response:

"I've got another update for you, see attached. I hope this is similar to what you had in mind, I really wanted to make sure the laptop, and a few traces of junk food - pizza box and some Conk cans- had clear places in the composition.

I hope you don't mind but I also went ahead and drafted up some typography I thought could work well with the image.  If it's to your liking -great- just let me know what you'd like to see written, titles etc, and I can adjust for the final version."

The third time was basically the charm.  All that was needed were a couple of tweaks to the verbiage and the font, and the cover was complete.  Viola! 

I hope you enjoyed this synopsis of the creative process for the cover.  I wish there were a few more unused tidbits to share, but Monomaniac didn't waste any time in providing what we asked for.  I can't say enough good things about him and we look forward to working with him again!

Maverick