Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Grandma said: Here is the finished Nine of Air. The trifecta of anguish and despair is complete. @geoxena, @Jewel, @Raggydoll, was the popcorn party fun? Love, Grandma It was so much fun!! https://youtu.be/PIb6AZdTr-A
Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 7 hours ago, Grandma said: But that's really me, taken two weeks ago. Oh - you want to see my face? Not gonna happen at least until someone takes a decent picture of me. I always look awful in pictures. But I'm feeling kind of daring so maybe - oh okay - I'm really prettier in real life but this will give you an idea - taken two weeks ago in my neighbor's apartment. I can't believe I'm doing this. I better hit Submit Reply before I change my mind...
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 You are one of the coolest Grandmas ever, @Grandma!! (And in all seriousness, what is your secret?)
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) I could really do with some feedback on my Elder of Water. I know exactly what I want to portray and I found some CC0 images (woo hoo!) because I also want to challenge myself to make this card with photos instead of drawing everything. I have wrestled and tussled with GIMP, watched various videos, loaded everything into Powerpoint, recoloured the images, and finally ended up with the following: My vision for the Elder of Water is a man who remains calm as he navigates the outer sometimes stormy seas of life, the ups and downs, as well as the calm waters. He has everything in hand. He has great empathy and charisma and can make you feel valued and special when he turns his attention to you. But he is also a man of great inner depths, and that can lead to the feeling of him being remote and distant and not altogether present. I have no idea why I chose the Elder of Water!!!!! He is proving elusive - living up to his reputation, I suppose! LOL Any and all feedback and suggestions greatly appreciated. 🙂 ETA: I suppose I should be more specific about the feedback I'm looking for. There's a couple of things. In an effort to keep the card feeling cohesive I've added a blue-grey hue to the different elements. Does this affect how you see the Elder? Does it come across as depressed/bleak? Also, would you know from the image that this is a man who is in control of his emotions and can navigate life from a strong position, or does he come across as more aloof and perhaps even apathetic? Am I missing something? I'm so close to the image that I'm having trouble standing back and seeing it with clear eyes... Edited February 8, 2020 by Starlight
Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Starlight said: I could really do with some feedback on my Elder of Water. I know exactly what I want to portray and I found some CC0 images (woo hoo!) because I also want to challenge myself to make this card with photos instead of drawing everything. I have wrestled and tussled with GIMP, watched various videos, loaded everything into Powerpoint, recoloured the images, and finally ended up with the following: My vision for the Elder of Water is a man who remains calm as he navigates the outer sometimes stormy seas of life, the ups and downs, as well as the calm waters. He has everything in hand. He has great empathy and charisma and can make you feel valued and special when he turns his attention to you. But he is also a man of great inner depths, and that can lead to the feeling of him being remote and distant and not altogether present. I have no idea why I chose the Elder of Water!!!!! He is proving elusive - living up to his reputation, I suppose! LOL Any and all feedback and suggestions greatly appreciated. 🙂 I love this depiction! It is one of those cards that would lend itself really well to past life readings! The only thing is that I think he and his steering wheel (can’t think of the proper English word!) need to go down in size so they aren’t too close to the edges
Wanderer Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Starlight said: I could really do with some feedback on my Elder of Water. I know exactly what I want to portray and I found some CC0 images (woo hoo!) because I also want to challenge myself to make this card with photos instead of drawing everything. I have wrestled and tussled with GIMP, watched various videos, loaded everything into Powerpoint, recoloured the images, and finally ended up with the following: My vision for the Elder of Water is a man who remains calm as he navigates the outer sometimes stormy seas of life, the ups and downs, as well as the calm waters. He has everything in hand. He has great empathy and charisma and can make you feel valued and special when he turns his attention to you. But he is also a man of great inner depths, and that can lead to the feeling of him being remote and distant and not altogether present. I have no idea why I chose the Elder of Water!!!!! He is proving elusive - living up to his reputation, I suppose! LOL Any and all feedback and suggestions greatly appreciated. 🙂 ETA: I suppose I should be more specific about the feedback I'm looking for. There's a couple of things. In an effort to keep the card feeling cohesive I've added a blue-grey hue to the different elements. Does this affect how you see the Elder? Does it come across as depressed/bleak? Also, would you know from the image that this is a man who is in control of his emotions and can navigate life from a strong position, or does he come across as more aloof and perhaps even apathetic? Am I missing something? I'm so close to the image that I'm having trouble standing back and seeing it with clear eyes... Even without reading your message, I got a sense of complete calm assurance from this card: he's not even looking at the waves, because he's at home, in his element. The breakers of emotion no longer hold sway over him, and he is content to ride them and watch where life takes him. Those calm eyes also have curiosity and gentleness in them - it's a perfect expression, and it completely overpowers any negativity that might come from the colouring. To be honest, warmer colours would be wrong here - too much Wands energy, I could say, trying to overpower the sea - this is someone who is a part of his element, having conquered it from within. Just superb.
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 Oh, that's great to hear, @Wanderer!! I'm glad he's come across that way to you as well. I just needed that confirmation I was on the right track. Thank you. 👍
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 Thank you, @Raggydoll as well. I really appreciate it. And yes, I will be mindful of the borders. Powerpoint did something interesting which cropped borders, but I know how it happened so I can take care of that. 🙂
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Starlight said: I could really do with some feedback on my Elder of Water. I know exactly what I want to portray and I found some CC0 images (woo hoo!) because I also want to challenge myself to make this card with photos instead of drawing everything. I have wrestled and tussled with GIMP, watched various videos, loaded everything into Powerpoint, recoloured the images, and finally ended up with the following: My vision for the Elder of Water is a man who remains calm as he navigates the outer sometimes stormy seas of life, the ups and downs, as well as the calm waters. He has everything in hand. He has great empathy and charisma and can make you feel valued and special when he turns his attention to you. But he is also a man of great inner depths, and that can lead to the feeling of him being remote and distant and not altogether present. I have no idea why I chose the Elder of Water!!!!! He is proving elusive - living up to his reputation, I suppose! LOL Any and all feedback and suggestions greatly appreciated. 🙂 ETA: I suppose I should be more specific about the feedback I'm looking for. There's a couple of things. In an effort to keep the card feeling cohesive I've added a blue-grey hue to the different elements. Does this affect how you see the Elder? Does it come across as depressed/bleak? Also, would you know from the image that this is a man who is in control of his emotions and can navigate life from a strong position, or does he come across as more aloof and perhaps even apathetic? Am I missing something? I'm so close to the image that I'm having trouble standing back and seeing it with clear eyes... 1. I don't see any problem with the coloring. On my phone, the sky even has a bit of pinkish hue in the highlights. I like it. It's almost like a vintage postcard. 2. I definitely get that this is a man in control, and confident. And his eyes are warm and friendly, so he's not coming across as a stern authoritarian or control freak or anything like that, but more like a compassionate leader. However, for me, I didn't see a connection to emotions or Water energy right away. It was only by reading your description that I was reminded this is the Elder of Water and what Water represents. That's probably just me, or it means his ability to contain his emotions and carry on is being conveyed well. Your card is unique and unexpected. Nicely done!
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, geoxena said: 1. I don't see any problem with the coloring. On my phone, the sky even has a bit of pinkish hue in the highlights. I like it. It's almost like a vintage postcard. 2. I definitely get that this is a man in control, and confident. And his eyes are warm and friendly, so he's not coming across as a stern authoritarian or control freak or anything like that, but more like a compassionate leader. However, for me, I didn't see a connection to emotions or Water energy right away. It was only by reading your description that I was reminded this is the Elder of Water and what Water represents. That's probably just me, or it means his ability to contain his emotions and carry on is being conveyed well. Your card is unique and unexpected. Nicely done! Thank you, @Geoxena! I'm so glad that my captain is coming across the way I saw him. 🙂
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 So, I've added a couple more elements. Is it too much or does it add the nuances I was aiming for :- The whale - diving the depths and resurfacing with the experiences The dolphin - lightheartedness and play/creativity
Wanderer Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 Personally I prefer it without the extras, @Starlight... for me they make it seem cluttered and less believable (and therefore relatable). Other might see it differently, of course, but when the message comes across so clearly, less can be more.
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 24 minutes ago, Wanderer said: Personally I prefer it without the extras, @Starlight... for me they make it seem cluttered and less believable (and therefore relatable). Other might see it differently, of course, but when the message comes across so clearly, less can be more. Ok, good to know! Thanks, Wanderer. :)
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) Oh! Now I know why I didn't get the Water connection. On my phone's little screen, I thought that was a cliff face overlooking water on the left and Niagara Falls on the right behind him. Seeing the whale sticking out of what I thought were cliffs prompted me to enlarge the screen, so now I see it better! Lol. I wouldn't mind seeing a whale or whale's tail in the water around him, if you had more room to play with, but it's too crowded this way. You would need to make him smaller to create more ocean around him. But the whale shouldn't be at the top of a wave, I don't think? And I don't think the dolphin helps. Edited February 8, 2020 by geoxena
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 Just now, geoxena said: Oh! Now I know why I didn't get the Water connection. On my phone's little screen, I thought that was a cliff face overlooking water on the left and Niagara Falls on the right behind him. Seeing the whale sticking out of what I thought were cliffs prompted me to enlarge the screen, so now I see it better! Lol. I wouldn't mind seeing a whale or whale's tail in the water around him, if you had more room to play with, but it's too crowded this way. You would need to make him more ocran around him. Ah! Yes, the colour on a phone screen could make those waves look like cliffs! I do have a nice public domain whale fin... I'll play around some more and see what happens. Sometimes the temptation is to add more, but that doesn't always make things better. I'll put fresh eyes to the card again tomorrow! Thanks, Geoxena. 🙂
Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Wanderer said: Personally I prefer it without the extras, @Starlight... for me they make it seem cluttered and less believable (and therefore relatable). Other might see it differently, of course, but when the message comes across so clearly, less can be more. I second this. The simplicity of the original picture is what really spoke to me 🥰
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) So... My Nurturer of Earth drawing has kind of been giving me fits. It's not coming out the way I had it in my head. That is partly because my concept for this card has been knocking around my brain for a few years without the reality of fitting onto the finite dimensions of a card. And that means I have to verticalize a scene that was always more horizontal in my imaginings, which necessitates rearranging some of its elements. And some elements had to go once I started drawing her, which makes me wonder if my concept will still make sense without them. I always envisioned her as Mother Earth, rising out of large rock (like a boulder) or a mountain, clad in leaves and flowers, surrounded by animals and people climbing the rock to be with her and receive her bounty, nurturing, resources, etc. In my head she would be bending down slightly, with arms outstretched towards them. I loosely sketched a few versions and then was suddenly inspired to draw a bison cow and calf, but screwed up the rest of that drawing and had to start over. This time, I focused on the mountains and the Nurturer but now I don't know if the bison makes sense in the scene. Plus I'm really proud of how nicely my mountain range came out, but don't know how I can possibly add people and animals climbing it to her. So I've decided to add vineyards or farms around the mountainsides to show how humans have made use of her bounty. In the way I have drawn her now, she has one arm outstretched with hand open, to welcome or beckon all creatures to partake of her riches; her other arm is lifted up as she lets a bird fly free, to show that she encourages independence. She is a supportive nurturer but does not coddle. And in the background, storm clouds are stirring, to show that there can be consequences if you mess with her (I had drawn a volcano in the mountain range but erased it, as it seemed too over the top). I am not sure if I need more objects and symbolism. I have a space in the drawing for something, but don't know what to put there. There is already a coin in the drawing, which I didn't mention. Does any of this make sense? Edited February 8, 2020 by geoxena
Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 20 minutes ago, geoxena said: So... My Nurturer of Earth drawing has kind of been giving me fits. It's not coming out the way I had it in my head. That is partly because my concept for this card has been knocking around my brain for a few years without the reality of fitting onto the finite dimensions of a card. And that means I have to verticalize a scene that was always more horizontal in my imaginings, which necessitates rearranging some of its elements. And some elements had to go once I started drawing her, which makes me wonder if my concept will still make sense without them. I always envisioned her as Mother Earth, rising out of large rock (like a boulder) or a mountain, clad in leaves and flowers, surrounded by animals and people climbing the rock to be with her and receive her bounty, nurturing, resources, etc. In my head she would be bending down slightly, with arms outstretched towards them. I loosely sketched a few versions and then was suddenly inspired to draw a bison cow and calf, but screwed up the rest of that drawing and had to start over. This time, I focused on the mountains and the Nurturer but now I don't know if the bison makes sense in the scene. Plus I'm really proud of how nicely my mountain range came out, but don't know how I can possibly add people and animals climbing it to her. So I've decided to add vineyards or farms around the mountainsides to show how humans have made use of her bounty. In the way I have drawn her now, she has one arm outstretched with hand open, to welcome or beckon all creatures to partake of her riches; her other arm is lifted up as she lets a bird fly free, to show that she encourages independence. She is a supportive nurturer but does not coddle. And in the background, storm clouds are stirring, to show that there can be consequences if you mess with her (I had drawn a volcano in the mountain range but erased it, as it seemed too over the top). I am not sure if I need more objects and symbolism. I have a space in the drawing for something, but don't know what to put there. There is already a coin in the drawing, which I didn't mention. Does any of this make sense? It would probably help if we had a picture to look at 🙂❤️
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 23 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: It would probably help if we had a picture to look at 🙂❤️ I'm not ready to show it yet. Just wanting to know if my ideas make sense and whether or not I'm overlooking any significant attributes for this card. It seems most Queen of Pents cards I've found online just show her sitting on a throne pensively looking at the pentacle on her lap. I guess I want to convey more of an active, motherly figure, but one who doesn't put up with BS.
Starlight Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) I've read the description, @geoxena, and without seeing a picture, I'm reminded of The Empress. There's some overlap there in the meanings, although I understand your description doesn't correspond completely to the Empress. I suppose with the Queen of Pentacles/Nurturer of Earth there's more of a familial or affectionate feeling - the relationship is personal, whereas the Empress is more impersonal. How do you see the difference between them, yourself? Edited February 8, 2020 by Starlight
joy Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 @Grandma love your 9 of swords! The look in her/your face is priceless! And you do look fab no need to hide! ❤️
joy Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Wanderer said: Personally I prefer it without the extras, @Starlight... for me they make it seem cluttered and less believable (and therefore relatable). Other might see it differently, of course, but when the message comes across so clearly, less can be more. Me too, I prefer it without the dolphin and whale. Those sort of distract me from the man's calm eyes 😉
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Starlight said: How do you see the difference between them, yourself? I see the Nurturer/Queen as more beneficent and motherly, and the Empress as more self-serving. The Nurturer is about security and says, "Come, partake of the riches that I offer, make use of them, and prosper!" while the Empress is about luxury and sensuality and is content to sit on her silken pillows and eat sweets. Edited February 8, 2020 by geoxena
Raggydoll Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, geoxena said: I see the Nurturer/Queen as more beneficent and motherly, and the Empress as more self-serving. The Nurturer says, "Come, partake of the riches that I offer, make use of them, and prosper!" while the Empress is about luxury and is content to sit on her silken pillows and eat sweets. In this deck it will be Little Fang that depicts the Empress so I think you can definitely go with your vision because her Empress will probably not be the stereotypical one either 👍👍
geoxena Posted February 8, 2020 Posted February 8, 2020 I guess I am also just venting because it's not coming together the way I'd hoped. I thought I'd be finished by now.
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