Let’s See How Well We Sync!
Fineachan
Fineachan is a gaelic (Scottish) term that means, “clans”. I’ve recently been involved with a number of people and aspects of my past that have all pointed in one way or another to Scotland, and I started to think about doing a custom deck design based on four Lords of the Highlands and their families, and the connections that tie their histories together.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that that deck needs to retrace or showcase specific historical figures — it could be completely fictitious in characters and presentation, as long as the design elements and overall feel of the deck provide the “flavor” of the highlands as I’ve envisioned it.
What I’ve Imagined So Far …
I started with a project that I had begun to develop with another deck creator — after a bit of design work and discussion back and forth, we decided to drop the concept, so I had a good amount of time and thought into some characters that I had been developing in Blender (3D software). These characters are all rough, and I wasn’t completely sure how I wanted to present them through the deck — I only knew that I would NOT display them in their 3D render form — it needed to be some kind of artistic / illustrative version of the renders.
Please disregard the snowflakes — they were a primary aspect of the earlier concept, but no longer will be included as design elements.
The three images to the left represent what I had envisioned the Spade trio would look like, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to produce their final presentation.
This is typically where I stall — I have a lot of creative vision, but when it comes time to put my technical skills to work, my own expectations are almost never met, and I get very frustrated at my inability to achieve the vision.
I DID attempt my own line art (Illustrator) illustration of the King, and I feel like it has merit, but what it lacks is a complexity in detail for which I am at a loss.
Again, the snowflake motif is out, but I like the notion of the King raising his chalice in a toast — I had planned that the other kings would be in similar fashion, with different types of glassware, wardrobe, adornments, etc., but I am not married to the notion.
For some unknown reason, the next inspiration that hit me for this particular concept was the inclusion of celtic knots for the design on the deck pips. This is the type of work that I really enjoy doing in Illustrator (neat and clean lines), and I really like the presentation of the pips so far.
I downloaded a set of Illustrator brushes that include leaves and nice scrolling lines, so I was able to create some moderately appealing ivy behind the knots themselves.
I really want to use these knots as my pips, but I’m not “married to” their presentation at left. If you have an intriguing direction you’d like to try, please feel free. Just know that I want to keep the knots, and would like to include some kind of flourishing embellishment.
One of the key plants that I had considered including in the ivy was the Highland Thistle — this would be fantastic to include.
While working in the pips, I kept looking back at the 3D images of the characters, and not feeling entirely confident that I would be able to produce them adequately, I contemplated other items that could be used to represent the royal court of the deck — something other than the typical King, Queen, and Jack that is so common.
I produced the test (to the right) of the Scottish castle, Eilaen Donan, and wondered about the use of twelve beautiful Scottish castles as a series for the royal courts.
I like the notion, but my skills (or lack thereof) in architectural illustration are again keeping me from making any progress.
I include the Nine of Spades as reference for where I was headed design-wise, but I’m open to any suggestions.
My Request for this Test Image:
Use the above information as inspiration, but don’t feel obligated to include any specific imagery or concept as I have introduced it —
A big part of this step for me is to open myself to the perspective and interpretation of an artist, and to work in tandem with them to develop a story and product that has cohesive design, artistic merit, and thought-provoking innovations to the typical playing card deck.
One of the reasons I reached out to you was the admiration for your style and technical ability —
Please feel free to bring your style fully into the creation of your interpretive illustration — I don’t want you to feel it necessary to fine-tune what I have done to date. If this is to be a long-term partnership (which I genuinely would love), I want you to know that my artistic ego is set aside and I am maintaining as honest and open a stance as I can in regard to my own art. I believe I’m strong on concept and communication — I’m not nearly so strong on technical ability.
I’m predominantly interested in seeing what you would produce for one of two cards — the King or the Queen of Spades
My main interest at present is to see what you would create as illustration for the King or Queen — whether as characters, as scenes, locations, etc. I want you to feel free to explore your own personal impressions of Scotland, history that you might have or know about the country, or completely whimsical fancies that strike you about the area, people, myths, etc.
Feel free to include any of the following (or none, if it doesn’t suit the flavor of your illustration):
Celtic Knots (as presented above, or in a new manner)
Intricate detail work in the way of scrollwork, ivy, etc. — this could also be employed in the wardrobe or patterns / textures of cloth
Scottish plants — specifically thistle, heather, bluebells
Gaelic words or phrases in text format within the image — I’m open to thematic mottos or sayings / proverbs