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sastian · « **on:** February 20, 2014, 01:05:56 PM »

Well I have browsed the site for all of about two minutes, and I realize fully that there is literally TONS of advice already written in the annuls of those who have gone before me! What I've decided to do instead of spending the next week reading through everything is just post what I've got so far and let you all in on my process.

As a seasoned designer with ink running in my blood, I'm no stranger to technique and process. Although I seem to be on a bender now that I've found out about the world and process of designing playing cards, I'll try and keep this short.

On Jan 28th, I received a message from a friend and colleague of mine, asking me if I "knew about kickstarter." The answer, of course, was "SURE! Heck I have even backed a few projects." He then proceeded to tell me of what he was seeing as an opportunity to promote his new business. Playing cards! At first I was more than skeptical. But then, being who I am, started researching. And I discovered a rabbit hole that goes deep. History of playing cards, themes, the cardists and magicians, you name it - there are so many facets to this industry it's easy to get lost. And I did. I got lost. So lost in the details, in fact, that I needed a mental break. I had to stop thinking about themes and what someone has already done or not done, and just started drawing. What would I want to see on a deck? Forget the constraints of trying to mimic some other style or theme. Just my art... just draw.

THE CONCEPT SKETCH

And then, I got lost in the concept... What poured out on Feb 10th was this:

First concept drawing. 2-10-2014 6:36pm

and an hour after that...

First concept drawing progress. 2-10-2014 6:32pm

and by 3am...

The next day it just kept going...

Refining the first inking for symmetry 2-11-2014 12:44pm

then on to Adobe Illustrator.

This is where I started to cut my teeth on the process.. I initially waffled back and forth between whether i centerline the entire drawing by hand or let the software take a stab at tracing the rendering. I opted for the latter to "save time."

Come to find out when I got to work on the first court card... line consistency began to matter. so it didn't actually save me any time. I'm currently going through a second pass at this, which you'll see in a bit. but its all good learning.

Feel free to follow my progress here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sasscandraw">Illustrations by Christian Sass</a>
Ill keep posting my progress in here as well since i really want to hone the design with your input...

sastian · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2014, 01:08:59 PM »

Continuing the story...

Vectorizing the card back

Why vectorize? Having worked in the graphic arts, I have come to learn that any design worth keeping is worth vectorizing. the ability to make posters, tshirts, wall murals etc are all wide open once that happens. Heck i love running things on my vinyl cutter, it's like getting to print on the world at large.

what I wasn't planning on was the consistency that I would demand of myself once trying to spread it across 52 cards. I get layout, but making sure my lines all carry the same weight and feel became very evident when I started trying to develop my first court card. You'll see how this unfolds in my screenshots I post here.

The first vectorized trace of my sketch gets completed
2-11-2014 5:38pm

It was looking at this version that I realized i was going to have issues with this method. I had already spent more time than I wanted cleaning up Illustrators best effort at tracing my art. and i was still seeing many area that weren't representing my line work correctly.

i trudge forward with blacking the BG out...

2-11-2014 6:14pm

Then I start to play with the possibilities of color..

Playing with a mock up

But long story short,This is where I currently am with the design.

Redoing the linework by hand in illustrator in order to insure that the same method employed on the court cards has the same line weight.

sastian · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2014, 01:09:27 PM »

reserved for court card design...

jwats01 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2014, 03:08:51 PM »

Interesting to see your behind the scenes details of your work. Looking very elaborate so far. Can't wait to see how you involve the suits.

Thanks for sharing!

superdarkdark · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2014, 06:01:37 PM »

i'm really excited for this project. there is good depth to the "interlaced" concept and the red & green color schemes look best, imo. i'm enjoying how neat & tight the lines are on the back cards, similar to celtic cross interior work. being an irish kid with celtic pride, i needed this pack yesterday.

sastian · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2014, 06:19:49 PM »

In my research i read somewhere that true celtic knots are made of a single unbroken strand... I wasn't thinking i want a celtic look when i started sketching , i just started carving away at a design that was appealing. Although I sincerely plan to follow up with a true celtic themed deck after i finish this one off. right ow i just racing to the finish line to prove to myself that this is possible!

52plusjoker · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2014, 06:54:37 PM »

Neat stuff!
I think emerald green fill on the back design (not red!)

sastian · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2014, 07:19:31 PM »

My mother was the one who suggested the Green

She said it reminded her of Byzantine designs and should be jeweled accordingly.

Anthony · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2014, 08:50:03 PM »

Very nice work, love the intricacy of the pattern. The splash of color does pop.

sastian · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2014, 02:00:27 AM »

in a conversation with my wife about how to handle the number cards we cam up with this concept.. Ill refine it more to have a real comparison later.. this is just a fast thumbnail sketch.

sastian · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2014, 02:31:57 AM »

Back version 2 is almost complete.. will finish it tomorrow...

Jody Eklund · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2014, 10:31:29 AM »

The back design is pretty sweet. I think you are on to something. I am wondering if you should try getting away from doing this as a vector and try photoshop to finalize your drawing. I love the sketches, because it looks so organic. When you turn it into vector it looks too cartoony. I think to get that true woodcut look you need to play around with texture and shading in photoshop. Nice work! I like the idea. These are just my thoughts. Remember it's your art.

musical_racket · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2014, 01:28:38 PM »

I can honestly say that I absolutely love this design. I really enjoy the motion involved with the design that makes your eyes always move. Keep up the great work!

sastian · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2014, 01:39:19 PM »

@Jody: I agree, the pencil work is my favorite as well. I'll do my best to bring it back to the richness of the hand-drawn look... but i also want it to translate well in a large format. so im taking the time to refine it. I also feel my print experience leading me to define the linework because i know the details will get lost in the final product. It may look great on screen but a 2" x 3" print isn't going to retain that detail. I'm really focused on the playability and how these will look fanned out. So I'm tuning the art to the medium and the product. Maybe I can offer the original hand drawn concept as a poster for a KS reward though....

sastian · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2014, 01:48:50 PM »

man! Huge improvements in detail!

sastian · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2014, 04:30:40 PM »

My final symmetry check.
This is the design duplicated and layed on top of it self at 50% opacity. if anything doesn't match exactly it'll peek out as red or blue.. as you can see thats almost invisible to the naked eye at maximum magnification here. I think I'm golden now. Do you see the variance?... look hard!

heres a closer look. ( i lied about the magnification

)

sastian · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2014, 05:26:44 PM »

Last check...

Red Stays... Blue goes away...

sastian · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2014, 05:43:51 PM »

Its all welded together now. commited!

On to the background, shading then hopefully start the facecards

sastian · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2014, 06:01:11 PM »

Punching holes....
(BTW. let me know if this is too much info or getting annoying)

sastian · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2014, 07:47:50 PM »

Oh the things ill be able to do now that i have it all separated!

Now its time to Rest! Shabbat Shalom!

[pics removed]

sastian · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2014, 07:59:28 PM »

I'm liking this... By the way, I still plan to add a "woodcut" style shading to this design & none of the colors are set in stone.

[pic removed]

sastian · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2014, 08:04:23 PM »

hmmm or i could thin the lines out... but concerned about the size they print. This is the base line i'm calling complete for now. it sports a 0.5pt line width. I like it!

OOOPS Caught a gremlin!

jwats01 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:46:46 PM »

I just wanted to say again, I really like what is going on here. Looks great! I'm excited for this deck as a whole and am enjoying watching you create it.

sastian · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2014, 10:25:35 AM »

Don pointed out that i might be at risk of plagiarism, which i thought by posting in public would only deter anyone from buying a deck that was known about in advance... but for that reason i may be culling through this thread today and cleaning up. that will slow down what i post for sure if i have to go through watermarking files... I guess i was mimicking what im used to in automotive build threads and was trying to build the enthusiasm ive seen surrounding those. but then its hard to steal a car that way

sastian · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2014, 08:30:35 PM »

Heres a simple deck fan render... any thoughts?

Poll

what color background should I launch with? (You Get 2 Votes)

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