SURREAL ILLUSTRATION PORTFOLIO
Cover Arts & Poster Designs That Hit Hard
My cover art and poster design portfolio showcases 20 years of surreal digital art crafted for music albums, books, and films. My style blends photomontage, digital painting and 3D to deliver emotional, high-impact visuals, ideal for metal bands, fantasy authors, and horror filmmakers – but not limited to them! I am a versatile designer with a focus on emotional storytelling with bold color palettes.
Because if you need showstopper art for your next release, I’ve got you covered.
- Show all
- CD Covers
- Art Direction
- Packaging Design
- Artwork
- Book Covers
- Poster Design
- Advertising
COVER ART & POSTER DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Music Cover Arts
I create cover arts for music bands with a passion. Whether you are in need of a cover that speaks for your music, or are going to release a special edition that includes detailed booklet illustrations, merch design and stage elements, I’m an expert in making art that introduces music to your fans.
Promo Posters
My art also finds its place in poster design, especially for film and theater plays. Present your release to the world in a way that makes justice to all the hard work your team put into it, while making your audience know they are in for a true work of art before they even take a seat.
Book Cover Arts
Are you an author in search of the perfect cover art for your next release? Let me introduce your vision to the world to find your audience. I design book covers, interior illustrations, jackets… you name it. Attract your readers with unforgettable cover art that will transport them to your stories.
About Mario Nevado
Illustrator, Cover Artist & Designer
Hey! I’m Mario Nevado, a freelance illustrator and designer from Spain with +20 years of experience in creating amazing custom cover designs for music albums, books, and films. My surreal illustration portfolio includes works commissioned by industry leaders such as Harlequin, Hachette, Adobe and EMI, and my work has been featured in exhibitions worldwide, including screenings on the exterior walls of the MoMA and Guggenheim museums. One of my career highlights was contributing to Adobe Photoshop’s 25th Anniversary campaign “Dream On”, which premiered the 87th Oscars Academy Awards and earned several prestigious awards like 3 Cannes Lions and an Emmy Nomination.
After more than 20 years in the art and design trenches, I’m still a passionate artist that pours his heart and soul finding the best ways to translate books, music albums and movies into a single, powerful and timeless work of art. I am your perfect match if you are looking not only a designer for your next project, but also someone that can advise you in the music, editorial and licensing industries. Think of me as your next creative partner in crime!
Some Perks of Working with Me
LET’S WORK TOGETHER!
My Style
Epic, Emotional and Surreal
▫️Hyper-realism: Accurate and detailed characters and environments trapped in fever dreams.
▫️Vibrant Drama: Fusing dark surrealism and fantasy with bold, stinging color palettes.
▫️Narrative Impact: Compositions and color studies that tell stories with psychological depth.
My Skillset
What's in my toolbox
▪️Digital Matte Painting: A refined, invisible mix of photography, digital painting and 3D.
▪️Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts + MA: Classical training, but contemporary approach.
▪️Zero AI Shortcuts: Real human art that an algorithm can’t dream of.
My Storytelling
Unapologetically Human
▫️Invincible Fragility: Broken figures with existential crisis that represent our inner strength.
▫️Dark Fantasy & Mythology: Creature design, lush environments and magical FX.
▫️Dystopian, Horror & Sci-Fi: Desolate worlds, mystery and collapsing civilizations.
Send me your brief
Drop me a message with the basics: what you need, rough scope, budget range and deadline. The more detail the better — I'll come back to you quickly with questions, honest feedback, ideas and a rate that works for your project scope.
Secure your slot
Once we've agreed on the brief and creative direction, we sign a Licensing Agreement that defines the scope and terms clearly. A deposit then secures your spot in my schedule via SEPA Bank Transfer or PayPal. Now comes the fun part!
Trust the process
Once your spot is secured, we collaborate on sketches and visual composites to lock in the definitive direction (composition, color, layout, etc). I then get to work and send you previews of the designs for feedback and final retouches.
Get your files
When the art is done, I create fully print-ready and web-ready files alongside any extra materials your release needs. Once payment is completed, everything lands straight in your inbox. Now go show the world what you've got!
* All commissions come with legal contract, invoices, authorship metadata and are AI-free.
Get in Touch_
Let’s talk about your next album, book or film.
I usually respond in 24-48 hours in weekdays. I recommend contacting me some months in advance if you are commissioning a full creative project from the ground up, since my schedule is usually full. Rush projects can fit into schedule sometimes, for an extra fee.
You can also say hello at hey[at]marionevado.art and Facebook · Instagram · Twitter · Youtube · LinkedIn
Friendly considerations:
- Please, be specific with your project description, include genre and mood, with visual references if possible
- Scope: cover only, full packaging, extra materials, etc
- Note any budget or timeline constraints
For Licensing Art, please specify
- The artwork/s you are interested in
- Type of license: music, editorial, poster or other
- Print run and territory if known
Thank you! I’ll get back to you shortly! 😊
