The Work-In-Progress Thread

[Starlight]

I'm loving the previews of your cards, @Raggydoll, @stephanelli, @gregory! It's going to be a really lovely deck!!

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, Starlight said:

I'm loving the previews of your cards, @Raggydoll, @stephanelli, @gregory! It's going to be a really lovely deck!!

Thank you, and I agree!! I am so excited for this! And I hope to be able to post another update today 😀

[Raggydoll]

Okay, so.. update number 2 for Elder of Earth. I got her hair done and I have now begun outlining her clothes and her necklace. I wanted to incorporate a labyrinth on her chest, as a representation of her role as a Pathfinder. So this then became a pendant that holds great significance. As I previously wrote, this woman knows life and she has walked a winding path. Now she speaks from experience and guides her tribe to navigate their shared path. The pendant is both like a medal - or a proof of her accomplishments - as well as a talisman and source of energy, empowerment and motivation. She draws upon it to focus and to remember her greater purpose. 

 

[Starlight]

Wow. You're a very accomplished artist, Raggy. Do you work from a photograph or an image you have in your mind?

[Starlight]

19 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

I also want to mention here that if anyone else wants me to help them test out their card in printerstudios software to make sure that the format is right then I will! 

Hi Raggydoll. I'm pretty much finished with my card (there's just some fussy cutting of the various elements and glueing and scanning to do) but I'd like to get an idea of how it looks in the printerstudios software. Shall I PM it to you or what's the best way to send you the card mock-up?

[Raggydoll]

15 minutes ago, Starlight said:

Wow. You're a very accomplished artist, Raggy. Do you work from a photograph or an image you have in your mind?

Thank you so much! I do both of those things. I start off with a vision and then I browse for inspiration. For faces I try to find some sort of reference that I can base the features on, but I always make changes so that it becomes a new individual. For outfits, hair etc then I go from imagination. With those mountains in the background I plan on using reference photos because I have never drawn mountains before. The same was with my previous card - I had never drawn a raven or a crow (I once did a quick illustration of an owl and that is it! No other birds in my repertoire 😁). Sometimes I use multiple references for one item, especially when I can't find something that looks the way I want it to. I once made a portrait of my parents and I had to use multiple images to create a scene that never really happened (well, I am certain that it happened at some point in time, but it just never got on camera). And in those cases it becomes tricky to get the proportions and the angles right. Plus the lighting has to make sense. But it turned out really good and now it is one of moms most treasured depictions of my dad who passed away some time after I made that portrait. If possible, then I like to take my own reference photos for portraits. I have done that for friends and family members. It would not be realistic to have someones kids try to stay still for multiple sessions over several days. So photos are definitely best. And I have had people ask me if I can depict their pets using photos that they have taken, so I try to go with whatever they have. If the pet is deceased then obviously its not possible to take more pics and its also not uncommon for people to not have any digital photos to offer. So I have had to make do and I believe that it does improve your abilities to improvise. But I do want to stress something. I find that so many people seem to think that if someone is good at drawing then they can simply depict ANYTHING from their imagination and it will look fabulous at first try. Well, I am sure there are some people that might be able to do that. I am not. I need a reference or a live model. I can't just imagine in my head what a flamingo looks like. If I haven't studied something then my depictions will simply not look good. Like when my kids ask if I can draw them a police car or a tractor... hahaha!! Then it looks like a kids drawing, I swear! The only thing I can draw fairly decently from imagination is people. I have made so many portraits that I am pretty good at anatomy and how to render hair etc. 

 

 

[Raggydoll]

1 minute ago, Starlight said:

Hi Raggydoll. I'm pretty much finished with my card (there's just some fussy cutting of the various elements and glueing and scanning to do) but I'd like to get an idea of how it looks in the printerstudios software. Shall I PM it to you or what's the best way to send you the card mock-up?

For sure, send me a PM!

[Raggydoll]

Not really on topic, or... Well, sort of. Earlier I was speaking to my husband and I told him that this project has made me realize how many ideas I have for different cards.. and that I am sort of thinking that I might want to make my own - hand drawn - deck. He just looked at me and said "I know". And I was like "what do you mean?". He replied "We all know that. We have known it all along. I've just been waiting for you to admit it to yourself". Soo... clearly my husband knows me 😁 but I do think this has been a long time coming. I have danced around it many times and tried various concepts and... well, I guess it was pretty inevitable. It just feel so DAUNTING!!! It will take me forever to do it. But I guess it will be a nice legacy for my kids. Also, a couple of days ago my mom told me how excited she was for this deck! She is so proud of my art that she actually visited the neighbors to show them pictures of my drawings that I sent her on the phone 😅 I don't think they had ever heard of Tarot before but now they do 🤗 I am very happy to have such a supportive family! 💗

[joy]

4 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

Not really on topic, or... Well, sort of. Earlier I was speaking to my husband and I told him that this project has made me realize how many ideas I have for different cards.. and that I am sort of thinking that I might want to make my own - hand drawn - deck. He just looked at me and said "I know". And I was like "what do you mean?". He replied "We all know that. We have known it all along. I've just been waiting for you to admit it to yourself". Soo... clearly my husband knows me 😁 but I do think this has been a long time coming. I have danced around it many times and tried various concepts and... well, I guess it was pretty inevitable. It just feel so DAUNTING!!! It will take me forever to do it. But I guess it will be a nice legacy for my kids. Also, a couple of days ago my mom told me how excited she was for this deck! She is so proud of my art that she actually visited the neighbors to show them pictures of my drawings that I sent her on the phone 😅 I don't think they had ever heard of Tarot before but now they do 🤗 I am very happy to have such a supportive family! 💗

Oh you did not know? Well how long do we know each other? Not that long and through this forum only but I knew too Of course it is daunting it is 78 cards and you put such high expectations on yourself. But you can do it! I know that for sure. Just start and do not think about how many cards you have to do. Just start! ❤️

[stephanelli]

4 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

Not really on topic, or... Well, sort of. Earlier I was speaking to my husband and I told him that this project has made me realize how many ideas I have for different cards.. and that I am sort of thinking that I might want to make my own - hand drawn - deck. He just looked at me and said "I know". And I was like "what do you mean?". He replied "We all know that. We have known it all along. I've just been waiting for you to admit it to yourself". Soo... clearly my husband knows me 😁 but I do think this has been a long time coming. I have danced around it many times and tried various concepts and... well, I guess it was pretty inevitable. It just feel so DAUNTING!!! It will take me forever to do it. But I guess it will be a nice legacy for my kids. Also, a couple of days ago my mom told me how excited she was for this deck! She is so proud of my art that she actually visited the neighbors to show them pictures of my drawings that I sent her on the phone 😅 I don't think they had ever heard of Tarot before but now they do 🤗 I am very happy to have such a supportive family! 💗

Well, of course.  I've been feeling that the decks you've been making have been almost preparing you for a project like this.  Actually, I thought you were deliberately preparing yourself until I read this post...!!!  Don't think about the ending, just think about each card as it comes to you.  (Perhaps use the creative circle if that helps 😉 although it will take you a long time if you just do one a month!)

[Raggydoll]

@joy @stephanelli You guys do know me exceptionally well 😁😁 I think I might create my own thread, like @Day Soleil has for her amazing deck. That way I don’t have to work in a void but can actually share the process with people ❤️

[joy]

7 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

@joy @stephanelli You guys do know me exceptionally well 😁😁 I think I might create my own thread, like @Day Soleil has for her amazing deck. That way I don’t have to work in a void but can actually share the process with people ❤️

Yep sounds like a great idea! Open your thread there, post your ideas and if you like I am more than happy to comment ❤️

[Raggydoll]

12 minutes ago, joy said:

Yep sounds like a great idea! Open your thread there, post your ideas and if you like I am more than happy to comment ❤️

I always want to share my creative endeavors with you ❤️

[joy]

Just now, Raggydoll said:

I always want to share my creative endeavors with you ❤️

[Starlight]

I've had a breakthrough and just have to share it!

 

I've figured out how to save high-res images from Powerpoint!! Woo hoo! (Needed to go into the regedit thingy to do it.)

 

And I've made transparent backgrounds for the different elements on the card using GIMP. The method is time-consuming but it works!! (On another note, GIMP is too complicated for this newb to actually create the card in, but it is a software worth getting to grips with over the course of the year, I think. 🙂 )

 

I'm so thrilled and too fizzy-excited to hold it in! 🤩

 

I've had a rethink about one of the elements on my card and I need to re-do it, but the finished card will look a bit like this:

 

[stephanelli]

2 hours ago, Starlight said:

I've had a breakthrough and just have to share it!

 

I've figured out how to save high-res images from Powerpoint!! Woo hoo! (Needed to go into the regedit thingy to do it.)

 

And I've made transparent backgrounds for the different elements on the card using GIMP. The method is time-consuming but it works!! (On another note, GIMP is too complicated for this newb to actually create the card in, but it is a software worth getting to grips with over the course of the year, I think. 🙂 )

 

I'm so thrilled and too fizzy-excited to hold it in! 🤩

 

I've had a rethink about one of the elements on my card and I need to re-do it, but the finished card will look a bit like this:

 

Ooohhhh, I love it! So pretty! ❤️

[joy]

11 hours ago, Starlight said:

I've had a breakthrough and just have to share it!

 

I've figured out how to save high-res images from Powerpoint!! Woo hoo! (Needed to go into the regedit thingy to do it.)

 

And I've made transparent backgrounds for the different elements on the card using GIMP. The method is time-consuming but it works!! (On another note, GIMP is too complicated for this newb to actually create the card in, but it is a software worth getting to grips with over the course of the year, I think. 🙂 )

 

I'm so thrilled and too fizzy-excited to hold it in! 🤩

 

I've had a rethink about one of the elements on my card and I need to re-do it, but the finished card will look a bit like this:

 

Well done, congrats! Yeah I can imagine GIMP being a bit of a challenge. But the more sophisticated a software is the more time it takes to learn. It is amazing how much free stuff one can get!

[Wanderer]

On 1/16/2020 at 4:18 PM, Raggydoll said:

@joy @stephanelli You guys do know me exceptionally well 😁😁 I think I might create my own thread, like @Day Soleil has for her amazing deck. That way I don’t have to work in a void but can actually share the process with people ❤️

Yeah.... well, even I knew that, I'm afraid! 

And I can't wait to see it. Your drawings on here are wonderful, especially at catching the expressions... which, of course, is one of the big things that makes a great deck. 

[Raggydoll]

5 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Yeah.... well, even I knew that, I'm afraid! 

And I can't wait to see it. Your drawings on here are wonderful, especially at catching the expressions... which, of course, is one of the big things that makes a great deck. 

Thank you so much, my friend ❤️ That makes me so happy to hear! 

[Wanderer]

You're very welcome, @Raggydoll - 'tis no more than the truth. As someone who can't draw faces at all, you've got a good big dollop of respect from me!  

 

For The Fool, I've been working through ideas, and settling on a concept, but thought you might like to see the first very rough sketch of the outline. It probably will change in details of the content, but this is the basic composition. It will also change completely in style; this is a pencil sketch to try out the basic shape of it, whereas I'll do the real version in ink, and probably also some partial, wash-like colour if the finished drawing needs it.

 

The idea is to be a more visceral version of the Fool, without the rainbows or stepping blindly into abyss... this is someone (no gender specified) who is being tempted to abandon the safety of civilization, passing through the dolmen gateway (a path to the Underworld, Otherworlds, or who-knows-where) without having a clue what they're doing. There is no bag and no equipment beyond a new (shiny but impractical) staff, but instead luxurious clothing that will get ripped to shreds in an hour. The stone is a warning that 'Here be dragons!'. Despite this, that distant tower and the hazy mountains inevitably call to the young and curious, and to any who are willing to risk everything for an adventure, and simply to know what's out there. Our Fool is one such person: they know nothing of the path ahead of them, except that it will be dangerous. The confidence of youth ignores such concerns. They have honed and practised none of the skills needed to triumph, but that is always the way of it... at the beginning of the Tarot's journey, we are all unprepared, but that doesn't stop us being drawn forward regardless. The Raven, archetype of wisdom and transformation, doesn't look optimistic about this new Fool, the latest to step onto the path. But who can say the outcome? This story is yet to be written. 

[joy]

15 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

You're very welcome, @Raggydoll - 'tis no more than the truth. As someone who can't draw faces at all, you've got a good big dollop of respect from me!  

 

For The Fool, I've been working through ideas, and settling on a concept, but thought you might like to see the first very rough sketch of the outline. It probably will change in details of the content, but this is the basic composition. It will also change completely in style; this is a pencil sketch to try out the basic shape of it, whereas I'll do the real version in ink, and probably also some partial, wash-like colour if the finished drawing needs it.

 

The idea is to be a more visceral version of the Fool, without the rainbows or stepping blindly into abyss... this is someone (no gender specified) who is being tempted to abandon the safety of civilization, passing through the dolmen gateway (a path to the Underworld, Otherworlds, or who-knows-where) without having a clue what they're doing. There is no bag and no equipment beyond a new (shiny but impractical) staff, but instead luxurious clothing that will get ripped to shreds in an hour. The stone is a warning that 'Here be dragons!'. Despite this, that distant tower and the hazy mountains inevitably call to the young and curious, and to any who are willing to risk everything for an adventure, and simply to know what's out there. Our Fool is one such person: they know nothing of the path ahead of them, except that it will be dangerous. The confidence of youth ignores such concerns. They have honed and practised none of the skills needed to triumph, but that is always the way of it... at the beginning of the Tarot's journey, we are all unprepared, but that doesn't stop us being drawn forward regardless. The Raven, archetype of wisdom and transformation, doesn't look optimistic about this new Fool, the latest to step onto the path. But who can say the outcome? This story is yet to be written. 

 

Love the description of the Fool, that is fabulous! The sketch looks great too love ink work!

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, Wanderer said:

You're very welcome, @Raggydoll - 'tis no more than the truth. As someone who can't draw faces at all, you've got a good big dollop of respect from me!  

 

For The Fool, I've been working through ideas, and settling on a concept, but thought you might like to see the first very rough sketch of the outline. It probably will change in details of the content, but this is the basic composition. It will also change completely in style; this is a pencil sketch to try out the basic shape of it, whereas I'll do the real version in ink, and probably also some partial, wash-like colour if the finished drawing needs it.

 

The idea is to be a more visceral version of the Fool, without the rainbows or stepping blindly into abyss... this is someone (no gender specified) who is being tempted to abandon the safety of civilization, passing through the dolmen gateway (a path to the Underworld, Otherworlds, or who-knows-where) without having a clue what they're doing. There is no bag and no equipment beyond a new (shiny but impractical) staff, but instead luxurious clothing that will get ripped to shreds in an hour. The stone is a warning that 'Here be dragons!'. Despite this, that distant tower and the hazy mountains inevitably call to the young and curious, and to any who are willing to risk everything for an adventure, and simply to know what's out there. Our Fool is one such person: they know nothing of the path ahead of them, except that it will be dangerous. The confidence of youth ignores such concerns. They have honed and practised none of the skills needed to triumph, but that is always the way of it... at the beginning of the Tarot's journey, we are all unprepared, but that doesn't stop us being drawn forward regardless. The Raven, archetype of wisdom and transformation, doesn't look optimistic about this new Fool, the latest to step onto the path. But who can say the outcome? This story is yet to be written. 

This is so unique and I absolutely love it!! 

[Wanderer]

Excellent - thank you both, and I'm glad you liked the description, @joy! Now to turn it into a proper picture... 

[FindYourSovereignty]

On 1/16/2020 at 6:10 AM, Raggydoll said:

Not really on topic, or... Well, sort of. Earlier I was speaking to my husband and I told him that this project has made me realize how many ideas I have for different cards.. and that I am sort of thinking that I might want to make my own - hand drawn - deck.

I was thinking the same thing about you creating your own deck. You are very talented. 

[Raggydoll]

2 hours ago, FindYourSovereignty said:

I was thinking the same thing about you creating your own deck. You are very talented.