Album Artwork: Ladder of Heaven (unused)

Yet another process post: the unused collage 🗑️

this was my first draft for the cover of Ladder of Heaven - a lot of the same visual metaphors are carried over in the final version, but the execution is what needed some work. The warm tones in these images and the dramatic landscape just didn't feel like that gentle comfort you get from the midwest, which is where the band is based. I also added a crap ton of grain bc I love 🤌texture🤌 ... but the band's vibe is def more clean and modern than gritty and retro. So I toned it back for the final version 😇

As the "firstborn child" of the project tho, it will always have a special place in my heart :,)