Alright, let’s dive into this Sword of Convallaria tarot project I tackled. It was a fun one, a real deep dive into the game’s lore mixed with some good ol’ tarot card design.
First, the Idea Sparked: I was playing Sword of Convallaria, right? And the art style, the characters, the whole vibe just screamed “tarot deck.” So, I thought, “Why not?” I mean, how cool would it be to have a custom deck based on the game?
Gathering the Intel: Next up was research, big time. I spent hours poring over the game’s wiki, character bios, story arcs, all that jazz. I needed to understand the underlying themes and connections to classic tarot archetypes. This wasn’t just about slapping character faces on cards; it was about finding the right symbolic fit.
Mapping the Deck: This was the brain-wracking part. I went through each Major Arcana card – The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, and so on – and figured out which character or element from the game best embodied that card’s meaning. For instance, who would be The Emperor? Which location would represent The Tower? It was like a puzzle, but a fun one.
Sketching it Out: Once I had the card assignments, I started sketching. Rough drafts, mind you. Stick figures and scribbles at first. The goal was to nail the composition and the key visual elements. I wanted to keep the feel of classic tarot but with a Sword of Convallaria twist.
Digitalizing the Art: I scanned my sketches and brought them into my digital art software (Clip Studio Paint, if you’re curious). This is where the real work began. I refined the lines, added details, and started playing with colors. I tried to match the game’s color palette but also ensure each card had its own distinct mood.
Adding the Lore: This was the fun part! I weaved in specific lore elements from the game into the card designs. A character’s signature weapon, a significant symbol from their backstory, anything that would make the card instantly recognizable to a Sword of Convallaria fan.
Refining and Revising: I spent days tweaking and adjusting. Getting feedback from friends who also play the game was a lifesaver. Fresh eyes catch things you miss after staring at the same image for hours.
The Card Back Design: Can’t forget the card backs! I opted for a design that incorporated the game’s logo and a repeating pattern of key symbols. Something that would look good when spread out in a reading.
Printing and Cutting: I used a print-on-demand service to get the cards printed. I went with a high-quality card stock with a smooth finish. When they arrived, I carefully cut them out using a paper cutter.
The Final Product: A complete Sword of Convallaria tarot deck! It was a labor of love, but totally worth it. I’ve even started doing readings for my friends, incorporating elements of the game’s lore into the interpretations. It’s a blast!
- Key Takeaways:
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different art styles.
- Thorough research is crucial for creating a meaningful tarot deck.
- Feedback is your friend!
That’s the whole process, start to finish. It was a challenging but rewarding project. I learned a lot about tarot, about game art, and about myself as an artist. Plus, now I have a super cool custom tarot deck!
