UC2019 (Nº7) Annual Deck by Montenzi: Fulfillment in Progress

[Merlebird]

BTW could you please explain why KoD/JoH/JoS are one eyed. Why they are looking to different directions. It does not make ANY sense for me. Really. I am trying to understand and find a pattern but I cannot.

WOPC says that "The question of whether [the courts] were facing left, right, or straight forward seems to be simply a matter of chance." In other words, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Conspiracy nuts love to tell you this stuff has a deeper significance, but as I'm sure you know, the most common reason for any decision an artist makes is "I just think it looks better this way." So just... do that. I'm sure someone here will tell you if you've done it wrong

[montenzi]

In other words, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Love your reply!!!

At least I am planning to try/

[shimmering]

The reason the two Jacks and the one King are one eyed in standard decks is that in the historical pattern the modern cards are derived from, these three are standing with their backs to the viewer, so that is why their face is in profile rather than see the full face. As soon as the cards became two-ended, this fact became a lot less obvious, but if you look at any historical full-figure standard English pattern court cards you will see it clearly.

As to the directions, yes it is apparently random. But if you do want to search for a pattern ( ..... ) you should bear this in mind: one pattern that IS there in the standard deck you show is that the large suit pips are all in the top left corner. Historically, it was not always like this. Some were in the left, some were in the right (six each). So to achieve this user-friendly property of having all the large suit pips on the same side, several of the court cards were mirrored ... the whole image (this is always referred to in this context as "turning"). So some of the ones that are now looking right were historically looking left. And some that are now looking left were historically looking right. The six that were "turned" are: jack of hearts, jack of diamonds, jack of clubs, queen of spades, queen of diamonds, queen of clubs. I think at least some Bicycle bridge size cards up until very recently had "unturned" courts looking in the original directions, but that is very uncommon nowadays.

[montenzi]

Yet another very quick sketch... Well... I like it!

This face is not my artwork.

I have some cool faces from 100 years old decks. Same age as the back pattern

[EDIT: IMG removed by me]

[vasta41]

My biggest beef isn't with the faces- I've liked all of them so far and I know that no matter what you land on I will buy these and love them. What stands out more to me is that the blue/green and red colors you have in the renders are solid and the gold and copper colors are a gradient. It clashes when I look at it but it could just be my OCD.

[montenzi]

My biggest beef isn't with the faces- I've liked all of them so far and I know that no matter what you land on I will buy these and love them. What stands out more to me is that the blue/green and red colors you have in the renders are solid and the gold and copper colors are a gradient. It clashes when I look at it but it could just be my OCD.

yes! it's still a sketch! Gradients is a tricky part. I'll use them for sure. Check the new image with green gradients.

[montenzi]

Ok. Finally. The style confirmed (still need to work on colors ... and other cards ). I prefer the green deck with classic faces if I choose to print one deck only.

A classic KoD head (one eye) will probably be used here.

[IMG removed]

[Bradius]

What the??? I prefer your unique style. Also, the colors more match the other back color scheme you showed, not the green back. Now you have me confused.

[montenzi]

What the??? I prefer your unique style. Also, the colors more match the other back color scheme you showed, not the green back. Now you have me confused.

A new back with custom faces added to compare, old green with classic faces removed.

It is too early to talk about some other ideas. As I like the original faces I can try to print two decks - different backs/faces and a little different style/colors.
I like both of them.

p.s. the reason why I don't want to produce the GLIDE deck now - I'd like to try a different style.

[ICantShuffle]

Montenzi,

Let me know when you're done with your prototypes, I will reimburse you for them.

[Magic Tapp]

[quote="montenzi"]Ok. Finally. The style confirmed (still need to work on colors ... and other cards ). I prefer the green deck with classic faces if I choose to print one deck only.

Oh no - please keep the burgundy deck or at least offer both. Based on the above discussion, I think you would find many fans of the burgundy deck...

[montenzi]

Oh no - please keep the burgundy deck or at least offer both. Based on the above discussion, I think you would find many fans of the burgundy deck...

With two all foil decks I'll need at least US$25-30k goal LOL Also I'd like to avoid printing player's edition decks. Have to think about it. It''s not that easy.

[Bradius]

I am happy with just one of any type as long as it is double foiled like the NEO:Ultra deck. I wish others would understand how amazing your work is and then you couldn't print enough of them. EVERYONE that has actually held a NEO:Ultra in hand is going to back this project.

[Magic Tapp]

I am happy with just one of any type as long as it is double foiled like the NEO:Ultra deck. I wish others would understand how amazing your work is and then you couldn't print enough of them. EVERYONE that has actually held a NEO:Ultra in hand is going to back this project.

Yep, the Neo decks were absolutely fantastic, so much so that I am struggling to find another limited edition for sale.

[Lughnasadhuk]

I rarely open any of my decks unless they are bicycle riders! Lol, I have even taken to buying some cheap opened second hand decks so I can actually handle them since my OCD prevents me popping cellophane and seals!!

Even when I buy a duplicate deck to open and handle I rarely ever get around to opening it

[montenzi]

I think that offering Cartamundi refills (without a box) could be a very good idea.

Or this

UC_308a.jpg (35.67 KiB) Viewed 3848 times

p.s. But I believe the box should be white as some of you will keep it sealed...as it's not white ... and some text here Ok. Just a simple white box...

[Bradius]

I give you major bonus points for getting me to open one of my Ultra decks. Thanks for that by the way. It was seriously worth opening.

[montenzi]

Working on colors and details. Hearts will be red-orange. At this moment I am planning to produce one green deck with classic faces (modified).

[EDIT: IMG removed]

[vasta41]

Is there a reason the color of the K on the KoD isn't the same color as the pip? Other than that these look awesome to me!

[sms69x]

The color scheme looks good. But still believe that incorporating the back desing on the faces would be better, somethng like you did here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12121&start=20#p136337" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[montenzi]

Is there a reason the color of the K on the KoD isn't the same color as the pip? Other than that these look awesome to me!

I like all black letters but haven't decided yet.

The color scheme looks good. But still believe that incorporating the back desing on the faces would be better, somethng like you did here:

Have already tried. Too ugly

p.s. Next time I'll show almost finished deck.

[vasta41]

Is there a reason the color of the K on the KoD isn't the same color as the pip? Other than that these look awesome to me!

I like all black letters but haven't decided yet.

Wow, you hate Western themes that much, hu? I personally do not like that at all as it adds an extra level of unnecessary difficulty to game play IMO. But I don't hate it enough to be disinterested yet!

[Merlebird]

Working on colors and details. Hearts will be red-orange. At this moment I am planning to produce one green deck with classic faces (modified).

So are you discarding the fully custom KoD you showed us earlier...? If not for this project, I'd still like to see it used in a future deck.

[montenzi]

Yes, design is a process so everything is possible.

I should not post sketches as most of the time they are not perfect

The final result will be different. It's how all decks are made.

[PipChick]

Yes, design is a process so everything is possible.

I should not post sketches as most of the time they are not perfect

The final result will be different. It's how all decks are made.

yea people, just let him do his thang lol

Imma reserve my feedback til we got a more definitive design of a more or less complete deck but I do appreciate you letting us in on your process super awesome! thanks

[ICantShuffle]

yea people, just let him do his thang lol

No, see, the best artists are tortured artists. We have to keep Montenzi second guessing every design decision he makes, until he reaches a point of decision paralysis (AKA analysis paralysis). This induces more stress, i.e. increases his "torture" level. This grants him a morale bonus to all craft: playing cards checks he makes while under the influence of the communal spell torture graphic designer, greater.

Talent and Torture are a 1:1 relationship. So, if we are successful, he will be the most talented artist ever by the end of this project.

[Magic Tapp]

Yes, design is a process so everything is possible.

I should not post sketches as most of the time they are not perfect

The final result will be different. It's how all decks are made.

Alex - do you have an idea as to when you may be launching this one? Thanks!

[montenzi]

Alex - do you have an idea as to when you may be launching this one? Thanks!

Hi. Hard to say Planned for September. This week I have time to work on Queens and Jacks. Hope to finish them all. Possible launch dates - 14-20th of October.

[Magic Tapp]

Hi Alex - not wishing to interfere in your creative process, was just wondering if you are close to launching the deck?

[montenzi]

I have no idea at this moment. I should be happy with the art before launching this project. November? 2018? 2019? If no progress within a week or two I'll launch another deck.