01
Learn through the reference.
Robert Beatty’s work for Tame Impala suggested a path toward vivid, tactile colour. Proof-of-concept drawings tested how far the visual intensity could go.
SteSy
Blaze
A bright crystal cover built through research, hand-shaped gradients, and thousands of layers.
Album cover artwork
DisciplineResearch, concept & illustration
The collection
SteSy wanted a bright, eye-popping cover connected to crystals. Research into contemporary genre artwork and Robert Beatty’s 1970s-influenced methods became a new illustration technique for the project.
Behind the work
Production notes.
02
Let the band choose the direction.
Several sketches were presented and the band selected concept five. Further crystal research then refined the chosen form.
03
Paint light plane by plane.
Each crystal face began as middle grey in Illustrator, moved into Photoshop as a separate layer, and received its own shadow, gradient, airbrushed light, glow, background, lettering, and paper grain.
The original production notes
The full story
behind the work.
The original account has been preserved and reformatted for this site. The production discussion follows the song and finished work without reproducing a full lyric sheet.
01 / Process log
Finding the crystalline direction
SteSy wanted a bright, eye-popping cover connected to crystals. Research examined contemporary genre covers, how far the colour could be pushed, and which unfamiliar illustration method could serve the idea. Robert Beatty’s work for Tame Impala and his 1970s graphic influences provided the strongest technical reference.
02 / Process log
Proofs, sketches, and approval
Several proof-of-concept drawings came first. The main ideas went to the band, who selected option five. More crystal research refined the chosen form into a final sketch and a clear plan for constructing its planes.
03 / Process log
Painting light plane by plane
Each crystal face began in middle grey in Illustrator and moved into Photoshop as a separate layer. Shadows, gradients, airbrushed lights, and glow were built one plane at a time. The background, title treatment, and paper grain completed an image made from thousands of layers.
Complete original process archive
From first signal
to final frame.
Every available still and animated study from the published process notes, reorganised as a production log.
01 / Complete original archive
Paint the crystal
All 12 original studies and deliverables: reference art, early proofs of concept, the selected sketch direction, crystal construction, lighting and gradient tests, time-lapse material, title treatment and finished cover.
Selected work
Illustration & cover artwork
Interceptor Beyond
Next project
People, in their own light.
Selected portraits
