Meet the Cover Artist: Nicole Xu

Guideposts Video: Inspiring True Stories

Hi, Angels on Earth. I am Nicole Xu, and I created the illustration for the cover of the March issue.

My work is done mostly in Photoshop. I have been drawing digitally since I got my first Wacom tablet when I was 13. So it’s a medium that I feel very comfortable with and have the most control over. I also like experimenting with ink washes and textures in some of my work, which adds a bit of unpredictability and nuance.

I like to create art that focuses on empathy and sensitivity, and I use soft shapes and textures to evoke a sense of nostalgia and dreaminess. I was recently hired by Guideposts to create the cover for Angels on Earth magazine. The prop they gave me was to show a lotus in various stages of growth with an angel emerging from the flower.

For this assignment, I created a bunch of sketches for them to look at. I’m a very shape-based Illustrator, which means that I build the sketches with color and shape in Photoshop before using lines to define details. It’s easier for me to figure out a composition this way and to establish the mood of the piece.

After getting the sketches approved, I started to create the final illustration. I create the shapes with the lasso tool and organize them each on its own layer. That way I have full control when adding color gradients and textures to each shape. In the end, I draw in some small details, adjust the colors, and it’s done.

I’m really excited about how the cover turned out. Thank you for this opportunity, Angels on Earth.