From the time I first started reading on my own, it has seemed like eighty percent of the books I read had covers by Michael Whelan, Keith Parkinson, a small handful of others – and Darrell K. Sweet. I counted – there are over 50 books on my shelves boasting covers by DKS (see below). Hopefully I’m not wrong on any of these: I didn’t double-check myself. But I don’t think so – DKS is distinctive. No one else’s work looks like his, and his people are clearly his. His work was always bright, vivid – not the deepest or most profound art in the world – but the energy and life in these paintings suit many of the books they grace: Excitement! Danger! Magic! You have a pretty good idea what you’re getting in a DKS-covered book.
He passed away on Monday, at the age of 77, without completing the cover for the final Wheel of Time novel. I hope someone does the same service for that painting as Brandon Sanderson has for <i>A Memory of Light</i> – it would be sad to have a WoT book without Darrell K. Sweet, and it would be so appropriate in so many ways.
Rest in peace with thanks, sir.
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- Bluesun 2600: Brandon Sanderson Blog: Darrell Sweet (brandonsanderson.com)
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