Opinions on the artwork for new deck please!

[katrinka]

I agree with Little Fang and Charlotte K about the Empress. Something that shows abundance, fertility, growth (pregnancy?) - so flowers, maybe fruit trees, lots of life.

 

Yes, that Empress, while lovely, isn't doing it for me. Traditionally, she IS preggers. Often there's wheat and fruit and flowers around her. A shield to match the Emperor's. as they're a couple. And she's an empress - think crowns/tiaras, not hoodies. The lady on your card is contemplative, but the Empress is about feeling rather than thought. She's the wisdom of the body building a baby in the womb, not wisdom via intellect.

 

The Emperor needs a crown too, and I'd like to see the figure 4 crossed legs more emphasized, as there is a reason for that. I miss the shield and scepter, it's a law and order card after all, for good or ill, and the Emperor sometimes uses force.

 

I like your High Priest. You've gone off the beaten path with it, but succeeded. Everybody loves Nancy from The Craft and this reminds me of that scene, but you've made her a different person and given her a much calmer mind, lol.  ;D

[katrinka]

Second Empress - I like the deer, but still a no for me.

It looks like Eddie Bauer or LL Bean found a beautiful place to do a photo shoot. I look at it and see a willowy girl selling a hoodie. You know the ads - nice looking people walking in nature wearing new clothes. Not bejeweled people who rule empires, not personifications of the Great Round - just models.

 

Not trying to be snarky, it's just what I'm seeing.

[52ravens]

Not trying to be snarky, it's just what I'm seeing.

 

Thank you for your thoughts, they are always a great help and get me thinking  :D

 

Her are the key things I took away from researching the card:

Mother Nature, devotion, creating something new, Maternity, nurturing, abundance and fruitfulness

 

With the witchy theme, I'm trying to stay away from the crowns as I don't think they fit too well, but I'm hoping the card name will drive the fact that the character is an empress and ruler. And because of the theme, I didn't want to make her pregnant, and I've tried to give more to the impression that she is a mother to all nature and an overseer in a nurturing way.

 

Does anyone else feel that the card needs to be change or do you think that it fits the keywords?

 

I'm not ignoring anyones opinions on the cards, this is why I'm here, for the good, the bad and the ugly, but as some have said, sometimes I'll need to make a stand for the vision I had when creating the artwork.  ;D

[faerybraids]

*waves* I think I've mentioned before that I like non-traditional depictions? (So basically I'm biased. (◔◡◔✿)) I don't think you need to change it unless you personally feel the need to, and I'm actually rather glad you're staying away from some of the more traditional depictions (pregnancy, etc.), especially as it is, like you said, a witchy deck. But again, I'm biased, there are reasons I'll probably never own a deck that's overly close to traditional RWS imagery (the closest is my Kiki Lala deck, and the Empress in that one simply shows Lala with a small group of baby animals and a few flowers--no need for pregnancy or anything else to get the point across).

 

I like the feel of the card. To me it's warm and motherly, like a cozy memory or hug. In a way it reminds me of the summers when we'd visit my nana and cousins by the lake, when she and my mum would talk and watch us kids running around playing and swimming, making sure we were safe yet letting us have our room to play and grow. I like the young wheat and the suckling fawn as symbols of nurturing and growth, and the wheat as abundance as well, though I can see how people could misread the Empress as simply walking through the wheat instead of also being the one nurturing its growth (I'm not sure if the addition of the deer accounts for that or not, and I'm not sure I wouldn't make the same mistake if I bought the deck without knowing your intentions behind the imagery). Overall I like the energy of the second one more--it's soothing, and honestly it's growing on me the more I look at it. It's not exactly what I'd expect from an Empress card, but it clicks better with me than many more traditional depictions I've seen (and, like I mentioned in I think my last post?, I like how this one ties into the Emperor, so yeah). Personally, I wouldn't mind it if it was left as-is, nor would I mind overly much if you changed it.

 

Honestly, my advice is always going to be stick with your gut. I used to draw a lot and, as I'm sure you know, you can only go so far editing an image before it doesn't feel like yours anymore. If your gut says to keep it, keep it. Put a small bit of your reasoning for the imagery into your LWB if you're concerned? I mean, for all you know you might look back once you've finished all the cards and decide to change something then. If you're able, you can always leave it to sit for a bit before looking at it again and deciding whether or not to keep it.

 

Sorry if I'm not making too much sense right now, I've had a tiring day and words aren't coming super easily. I hope what I've written is understandable and helpful in some way, though.

[Starlight]

Not trying to be snarky, it's just what I'm seeing.

 

Thank you for your thoughts, they are always a great help and get me thinking  :D

 

Her are the key things I took away from researching the card:

Mother Nature, devotion, creating something new, Maternity, nurturing, abundance and fruitfulness

 

With the witchy theme, I'm trying to stay away from the crowns as I don't think they fit too well, but I'm hoping the card name will drive the fact that the character is an empress and ruler. And because of the theme, I didn't want to make her pregnant, and I've tried to give more to the impression that she is a mother to all nature and an overseer in a nurturing way.

 

Does anyone else feel that the card needs to be change or do you think that it fits the keywords?

 

I'm not ignoring anyones opinions on the cards, this is why I'm here, for the good, the bad and the ugly, but as some have said, sometimes I'll need to make a stand for the vision I had when creating the artwork.  ;D

 

Thank you for explaining where you're coming from with the theme of the deck and with this card in particular. In this case, perhaps having her sowing seeds, or tending a small creature, or both! - might help a bit? Having her immersed in life anyway because in this card she seems a bit aloof and distant... possibly because she's off to one side of the card and not centred in the life that's in the card, or even looking at it in an appreciative way.

 

The Emperor has a throne in his card, so it might be worth considering giving some sort of tool to the Empress to show that she's a matriarchal archetype. Jewellery, perhaps? I dunno, something to show that she's not just a "mere slip of a girl". ;)

[katrinka]

Not trying to be snarky, it's just what I'm seeing.

 

Thank you for your thoughts, they are always a great help and get me thinking  :D

 

Her are the key things I took away from researching the card:

Mother Nature, devotion, creating something new, Maternity, nurturing, abundance and fruitfulness

 

With the witchy theme, I'm trying to stay away from the crowns as I don't think they fit too well, but I'm hoping the card name will drive the fact that the character is an empress and ruler. And because of the theme, I didn't want to make her pregnant, and I've tried to give more to the impression that she is a mother to all nature and an overseer in a nurturing way.

 

Does anyone else feel that the card needs to be change or do you think that it fits the keywords?

 

I'm not ignoring anyones opinions on the cards, this is why I'm here, for the good, the bad and the ugly, but as some have said, sometimes I'll need to make a stand for the vision I had when creating the artwork.  ;D

 

Thank you for explaining where you're coming from with the theme of the deck and with this card in particular. In this case, perhaps having her sowing seeds, or tending a small creature, or both! - might help a bit? Having her immersed in life anyway because in this card she seems a bit aloof and distant... possibly because she's off to one side of the card and not centred in the life that's in the card, or even looking at it in an appreciative way.

 

The Emperor has a throne in his card, so it might be worth considering giving some sort of tool to the Empress to show that she's a matriarchal archetype. Jewellery, perhaps? I dunno, something to show that she's not just a "mere slip of a girl". ;)

 

Do they all have to look contemporary? Everybody in Europe was pagan until Rome got mixed up in things. You could draw on history for witchy Empress ideas.

 

I like the seeds and/or small creatures idea.

[52ravens]

It seems the main issue with the Empress card is that she isn't pregnant, so now she is haha

[katrinka]

Carrying low - it's a boy, lol.

Getting there.  ;D

[Starlight]

It seems the main issue with the Empress card is that she isn't pregnant, so now she is haha

 

It's a lovely card and it IS more Empress-like, but does it fit in with your vision of the deck? Would you prefer to keep away from the Empress *herself* being pregnant and show her connection to life and fertility and abundance etc. in another way?

[52ravens]

Starlight[/member] & katrinka[/member]

 

I did have reservations for making her pregnant as it seemed to obvious, but it looks as though a lot of readers are looking for that connection with the card so maybe it just needs to be that way. I did like the idea of sowing seeds but the process to get the painted feel erases fine details, so this makes the pregnancy option more visual.

 

I feel comfortable with the new layout so below are the next 3 cards  :D

 

Thanks for all the help

 

[Starlight]

Starlight[/member] & katrinka[/member]

 

I did have reservations for making her pregnant as it seemed to obvious, but it looks as though a lot of readers are looking for that connection with the card so maybe it just needs to be that way. I did like the idea of sowing seeds but the process to get the painted feel erases fine details, so this makes the pregnancy option more visual.

 

I feel comfortable with the new layout so below are the next 3 cards  :D

 

Thanks for all the help

 

OK, if you're comfortable with the changes, then that's what matters. There was always the option of, say, a pregnant animal - a horse? - and her putting seeds into those little seedling tray thingies... but if you're happy, you're the creator and that's what counts. :)

 

 

I feel comfortable with the new layout so below are the next 3 cards  :D

 

Thanks for all the help

 

 

OK, on first glance, I really like the Lovers card. It's very lover-like. The Lovers card, funnily enough, is also about choice. In some decks you'll see more than one person (I'm thinking of the Mythic Tarot in particular) to show this element. However, I can see that given the nature of this deck, the two characters in the card have made a choice, so perhaps nothing else is necessary...

 

The Chariot - a more Boadicea-like woman might be better and the charioteer needs to have her hands firmly on the reins. She's driving the horses in the direction SHE wants to go and she'll go there come hell or high water, running down any obstacles in her way. It's a card of grit and determination and commitment and the pursuit of a goal.  No matter what the cost is, sometimes.

 

Strength is gorgeous - I really love the lion. I also love that the two characters are on the same level. Is there a way to show that the girl is harnessing the strength of the lion?

[faerybraids]

I'm loving the Lovers and Strength. :D The former feels like a beautiful celebration of their love for one another (I could probably wax poetic about the lighting haha), and the latter makes it almost like the lion's a guardian or protector of sorts she's able to call on when necessary, or even just the animal she has an affinity with.

 

Your interpretation of the Chariot is intriguing. I quite like the 'abandoning restraints of life and just going' feel to it, but leaving thoughts to the wind as you end up where you end up seems more Fool-like to me. Of course, there can be a choice to do that, and perhaps the woman in the picture is getting exactly where she wants to go through leaving things to chance (or maybe the horses already know the way?), but it's still rather unexpected. I think I agree with Starlight on a more Boadicea-like woman being more appropriate--it feels like there's not quite enough control in the current woman's hands.

[52ravens]

Thank you for the input guys, I totally understand about the Chariot, so the new version is more determined in her actions and willing this horses forward  ;)

 

[52ravens]

If the Chariot has now passed please see below the next 3 cards for you're wonderfully keen eyes to look over for details and meaning  ;D

 

[52ravens]

HEY! I'm hoping that there isn't anything wrong with the previous three and the silence isn't because you're all bored with the project haha

 

So here are the next 3, please let me know if there are any glaring issues  ;)

 

Thanks for all the help

 

[Starlight]

HEY! I'm hoping that there isn't anything wrong with the previous three and the silence isn't because you're all bored with the project haha

 

So here are the next 3, please let me know if there are any glaring issues  ;)

 

Thanks for all the help

 

 

The Hermit - looks ok to me. :)

 

Justice - the scales are good, just wondering if she also needs a sword?

 

The Wheel of Fortune - I'm not too sure about the figure behind the wheel... I'm trying to see how it and the wheel relate to the meaning of the card. The WoF always reminds me of the song/psalm 'To every thing / Turn Turn Turn / There is a season / Turn Turn Turn'.

 

The Hanged Man looks more like she's diving than hanging...

 

Death - love the silhouettes. Does the Eagle have a significance for you? Is there a LWB going to be written for your deck? It would be good to explain the symbols in your cards.

 

Temperance - in the traditional RWS, she'd have one foot on solid ground and the other in the water. I love the way the water is pouring into the pond/lake. Usually the angel in the RWS is pouring from one vessel into another that they hold in their hand.

 

Other than these comments, I think it might be worth considering having a LWB for your deck to explain the symbolism you've chosen, the reasons you've presented the images as you have, and how they all tie in to your understanding of the card. It would be very useful for a reader. :)

[Page of Ghosts]

The one that stands out to me in a not-so-good-way is The Wheel. There is a wheel, a lady... I don't really understand it. In full disclosure The Wheel isn't my favourite card of the Majors but I still feel like something is lacking. There is some movement or an idea about movement that is missing, maybe?

[faerybraids]

I love the Hanged Man. To me it's like she's suspended between perspectives. I also love the purple of her clothes and how it contrasts yet complements the background so well. Death I like as well, and Temperance I find beautiful (again, those colours!). I think it captures the sereneness of the card well.

 

The Hermit works for me, as does Justice, though I'm not the hugest fan of either of them. I'm not really sure what it is about them that's throwing me off--I think it's just the aesthetics not being to my preference. I think the meanings come through just fine.

 

I actually really like the Wheel of Fortune. To me the being's expression behind the wheel looks pensive, and maybe a touch worried or concerned, like a reminder of how the Wheel turns as it will and you'll never truly know when it'll turn your life up or down or sideways. I get a similar feeling of obscurity from her being partially obscured by the blossoms and leaves--like, does her other eye hold the glint of a smile and good fortune to come, or does it hold a tear of regret at how terrible things are gonna get? Her lips, her other eye, both could go either way, making it quite nice to ponder.

 

eta: I like your revised Chariot more too. :)

[52ravens]

Starlight[/member]  Page of Ghosts[/member] faerybraids[/member]

 

Thank you for all your posts and thoughts on the cards, its a great help  :D

 

I think you might be right that a LWB might be handy on some of the meanings that I'm trying to get across. I like to post them to see if they are obvious as you guys have been great at seeing what I'm going for. Faerybraids got WOF spot on haha! Having the witch partly hidden I wanted to give the impression that nothing is certain, like the wheel, as she could have a one sided smile hidden behind the leaves.

 

Thank you all, I feel happy with all the comments for these few so here are 3 more  ;D

 

 

[Page of Ghosts]

I always think a LWB is a good idea if you're changing up things a bit, especially for things like how you've made The Wheel if you plan on keeping it that way ;) For some they will get your idea but others, like me, will just get confused, haha. The Paulina Tarot made kind of a weird 10 of Pentacles without that whole family scene (or anything resembling it really!) and I didn't understand it at all. I thought it looked too close to the 9 of Pentacles but the LWB cleared that up for me when I looked it up, as an example of how that really can help us less intuitive guys :)

[Starlight]

 

Thank you all, I feel happy with all the comments for these few so here are 3 more  ;D

 

 

They are lovely cards; all that is missing (for me) are some of the symbols that reference the meaning of the cards. Particularly, the chains in the Devil card; people falling out of the Tower as it crumbles. That type of thing.

 

Speaking for myself, the cards just now feel like placeholders rather than cards with the meanings embedded in them, do you know I mean?

[Page of Ghosts]

I think it doesn't look too much like the Tower is getting hit by that lightning? Like it's a thunderstorm in the background, not the tower getting hit if that was what you was trying to make?

[52ravens]

Sorry for not replying sooner, I've been a little busy with The Sisterhood of Blood kickstater project https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/52ravens/sisterhood-of-blood-volii-playing-cards?ref=bvr05c

 

Particularly, the chains in the Devil card;

 

Totally understand for the tower, do you think the chain on her arms would mean the same? I don't really want to add another character.

 

I think it doesn't look too much like the Tower is getting hit by that lightning?

 

No it doesn't, it was meant to be a storm but as I'm adding the falling people I'll blast the tower too  ;)

 

Thank you for your thoughts on the last three cards, I totally understand what you mean and I'll get amending as soon as I can ;D

[Starlight]

Particularly, the chains in the Devil card;

 

Totally understand for the tower, do you think the chain on her arms would mean the same? I don't really want to add another character.

 

 

Yup, chains on her arms would work for me, esp if they were chained to something (are they pillars in the background?).

[52ravens]

Hey!

 

I have the new Devil card with loose chains and the new tower that is now getting hit by the lightening with some subtle falling people. Let me know your thoughts and then I can hopefully post the next 3  ;)