How Illustrator Leah Goren Breathes Life into Book Covers

It’s hard not to be completely infatuated by the whimsical artwork of Cali-bred, Brooklyn-based illustrator Leah Goren. Women in the nude, summer watermelons, quiet cats, florals that are forever preserved — there’s a sweet warmth you feel from Goren’s thoughtful drawings. Until now, most of Goren’s works have lived on the likes of swingy dresses for Anthropologie, homemade ceramics pieces, and silk scarves. But more recently, her trademark watercolors have been turning up as book covers, including 2016 releases like Hannah Tennant-Moore’s Wreck and Order (Hogarth) and Emma Straub’s forthcoming Modern Lovers (Riverhead). Ahead, we chat with Goren on how her book covers come to life, the ways her reading habits are changing, and her own books that fans can expect from this budding art star.

leah-goren-daises

Courtesy of Leah Goren.

You’re already having a big year in book covers with Wreck and Order and Modern Lovers. Do you have other book projects in the works?
I have my first two books coming out this fall that I worked on the covers for. The first is Ladies Drawing Night, which I co-authored with Julia Rothman and Rachael Cole. The book is all photography, but I did the lettering for the cover and chapter headers. My other book is a fun gift book about best female friendship called BESTIES, and I did the illustration and lettering throughout, including the cover. I also did the illustration and lettering for the reissue of Two Serious Ladies, Jane Bowles’ 1943 novel.

stet-leah-goren-two-serious-ladies

Courtesy of Ecco.

Can you tell us more BESTIES?
I wrote it with Hallie Bateman, a genius illustrator, writer, and comic artist. It’s told from the perspective of one friend talking to the other, a love letter of sorts. Throughout the book she reminisces about growing up, places they have traveled, the things they’ve taught each other, their favorite things about going out, or staying in, their secret languages, and dreams for the future. It’s very heavily illustrated and colorful and should be fun!

leah-goren-nudes

Courtesy of Leah Goren.

And what is Ladies Drawing Night about?
Ladies Drawing Night chronicles 10 different drawing nights we throw with different guest artists [in NYC]. There is a different project each night, from fashion illustration to pattern design to lettering, and the guests are usually experts at the project, or they are all-around talented artists giving it their best shot.

How did you get commissioned to do your first book cover?
I was just emailed by the art director — this is how I get all jobs! I was surprised, because at the time my work was mostly patterns and I didn’t think I’d be hired for a more design-oriented job. But, over time the breadth of my work expanded and now I feel like I could do (almost!) anything.

leah-goren-wreck-and-order

Courtesy of Hogarth.

Do you read the books beforehand?
For Two Serious Ladies and Modern Lovers I was given the manuscripts to read, but the art directors had a specific vision in mind so it really didn’t matter if I read it or not. For Wreck and Order, the only information I was given about the story is it takes place in Sri Lanka and there’s a lot of sex. Reading it now, it’s a lot different than what I imagined from this brief description, but again, the art director knew exactly what she wanted so the details were irrelevant.

You mention in your A Cup of Jo interview that you’re trying to read more this year. Have you read anything great recently?
As someone who hasn’t really read a book in years, I’m feel like I’m at the beginning. So far this year I’ve gotten through The Vacationers, The Prince of Tides, and Wreck and Order. I just started The Liars’ Club and I already love it, especially with the new Brian Rea cover.

leah-goren-modern-lovers

Courtesy of Riverhead.

So, what is the design process like?
Every job I do starts with pencil sketches to get an idea of content and composition. I try to send at least three or four options, unless the direction is very narrow. Once a sketch is approved I paint everything in gouache and then scan it in to assemble in Photoshop. Sometimes the digital aspect is minimal — Modern Lovers, for example, all the spots are painted as-is. And sometimes there’s a lot more digital manipulation, like all the leaves on Wreck and Order were placed in Photoshop.

What are some challenges you face with designing book covers?
I’m definitely not a graphic designer, so I sometimes I don’t feel confident with my lettering and its placement. I go off of intuition, and of course there is always the art director to guide me, but I don’t really have a sense of how a book cover “should” look.

leah-goren-plants

Courtesy of Leah Goren.

What are some visual references you always find yourself going back to, for comfort and pleasure?
I love figure drawing from life, and my favorite place to do this is on the beach in the summer. I also go to figure drawing sessions from time to time, or just browse the street style tag on Tumblr. I love drawing plants and flowers too, and don’t think I could ever get sick of them.

Photo courtesy of Leah Goren.