I know I am supposed to post something almost everyday, but I still have to get used to being a fan of work in progress screenshots. I have improved this book everyday and I would have made this post a lot earlier if it wasn't that leaf (whose UVs were very harsh for me). After about 4 failures, I managed to arrange the UVs in a nice and tidy way and my texture looks alright now.

For the cover I used 2 leather textures (because I couldn't decide which one to choose, so I went for both of them, using 'hard light' as a layer type for the second texture, so it won't look awkwardly). I added some splashes on the back cover (I set them on 'vivid light' and then I multiplied them),  a nice pattern on the spin and I chose an elvish like font for the title. To give the title that effect, I played a little with the 'Outer Glow' and 'Drop Shadow' options from 'Bevel and Emboss' option for the layer style (fx) and of course, I picked a nice shade of yellow for it (an old gold like yellow). The book is called 'The Ultimate Book for Druids' and its content is made of types of ancient sorcery updated to the modern world. I knew from the start that the texture for the pages is going to look like they were ripped out from the book and put back together eventually.
I decided to replace the latches of the book with a leaf, as it is iconic for nature and extend the meaning to a metaphorical sense, opening the book by releasing the leaf could mean that no druid sorcery could be leashed outside the laws of nature. I was considering the fact that it could not be opened on a dark purpose, in this case the leaf growing and turning into a branch so it can better secure the book as it hides powerful sorcery that should not fall into the hands of evil. Of course, my vision would rely more on animation than on texturing (which I should focus on this year).

I really enjoyed creating this book, but most of all, I loved drawing the dragonfly and making it look alright on the main cover. I wish I could do a normal map only for my drawing, but I guess I could also use it in other projects on which it would look even better. 

As promised, here is the main concept for my book cover. It consists of a dragonfly featuring geometric shapes, as I wanted to depict the harmonic contrast between abstract geometry and bizarre perfection found in nature. I inspired myself by the geometrical tattoo art of Bicem Sinik and Okan Uckun, two artists whose work is worth searching for. 

The finished product will be an engraving on the front cover, which is why I chose not to colour it.

The book is supposed to be a handy guide for druids everywhere, detailing the many ways nature sneaks itself into their magic. The runes encasing the insect show a basic spell that allows the caster to turn into a dragonfly.

First Concept:

At first, I wanted to create a more fictional-looking book, but the 300 Tris limit forced me to change my mind. Firstly, I intended to make a hand print on the cover and 2 branches in bloom that block the book from being opened. Once a hand is put on the cover (a certain type of hand, of course, because I was thinking that this locking method is very efficient), the flowers on the branches fall off and they retreat slowly, allowing you to open the book. It would have looked a little lame, as instead of being able to create the animations, I could have only explained the concept. I started to make one branch and I haven't finished yet...moreover I have already used 846 Tris. I will try to post my sketch of the first concept here, as soon as I finish it.

Actual Concept:

I decided to make something simple, trying to rely more on the texture of the book. I created a simple book, with a little design around the spine and I tied it with a band (just because a ribbon or latches would suppose too many tris). I will post the model of the cover here, as I've already had an idea about it.