The art of setting a scene

[fluke]

I am working with Edd Ghent on the next commission. I decided on who very quickly (Derke and Syantere'), but I asked Edd if he had ideas on setting them up. Edd has some great ideas for that. I am also thinking about having him do the cover and interior illustrations (if any) for my spring collection (working title: Rebirths).

The scene Edd described from his inspiration is wonderful. He would have Syantere' in her astrologer's robes and while he didn't mention Derke's clothing, I imagined Derke in his prophet's robes. I love the striking contrast of black-robed mage and white-robed miracleman as their sides are normally opposed but these two are clearly allied. He has his cross and she has her occultic jewelry. But they never appear that way in the story.

What are your thoughts? I'll explain the options a little more.

• Inspired by the story. The depiction uses the characters as a jumping-off point to convey emotions and hints from the story even though the depicted pose does not appear.
  
• Based on something that happens in the story but not exact. A little revision.
  
• Depicts a scene from the story exactly as it happens.
  

Related question: If the above description were used as the collection cover art or a story illustration, when it is inspired by but not based on any particular scene, would you feel cheated? Would the picture's quality make a difference (i.e. the picture is great so it doesn't matter that the scene doesn't appear)?

Please feel free to expand your thinking below.

[Kessie]

If the cover depicts something that happens in the story, it's a bonus. Most of the time I'm happy if the cover gives me an idea of what the hero looks like. I've seen lots of juvie fiction books that only sort of give you an idea of what it's about. Most of the Pern books only have the boss dragon on the cover, maybe with their rider.

I like your idea of the black and white mages, which should be opposed, but are really on the same side. Hey, if I like the way it comes out, I might commission him myself. :-)

[rjj7]

The cover is a promise of what the book has inside of it. Not necessarily of specific events, but the tone and theme of a story. If one can do that best by creating something entirely new that doesn't happen in the book, great. If one can do that by showing a scene the book contains, also great.

I voted for option #1, though if it were a choice of two equally good art pieces, one from the book, one not, I'd go for the one from the book.