Since the new IT movie comes out today, I figure it would be a good time to share some new related art that I have (assuming I am able to post the picture).
Way back in '86 when Mr Giusti first read the manuscript for IT, he produced and presented an initial cover concept sketch to Viking press. This sketch lead directly to the creation of the original painting that was reproduced by Suntup for their IT cover print. From that original version, additional modifications were requested by the art director and the result was the final cover we all know and love.
Before sending the first (Suntup version) finished painting to the publisher, Mr. Giusti arranged for a high quality transparency copy, which took the photo company two days to reproduce. The finished painting was then sent to Viking and the transparency was kept for Mr. Giusti’s own personal files. Once Viking had the original, they requested changes such as removing the oil slick, removing the ripples in the water, changing the angle of the curb, making the claw larger and moving it more to the center of the grate. After those changes were made, the new, final work was hand delivered to Viking by Mr, Giusti’s agent. Because time was of the essence, no transparency was ever made of the final version. Neither the original (Suntup) version or the final cover version were ever returned to Mr. Giusti, so all that remains is the transparency of the original version that was so beautifully reproduced by Paul over at Suntup, and the concept sketch.
After more than three decades, here is that original sketch that was done back in 1986. The work measures 11 x 14, including the white edge. There are two comments from the art director written in pencil: one on the upper left-hand margin and one on the right. The actual drawing is 9 ½ x 6 ½ and is done in colored markers and ink and signed in the lower right-hand corner.
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