LUMINOSITY: The Kingdom of Light by Black Ink Branded / Jody Eklund

[Eric Lee]

Just found out that Jody's working on a new deck. Here's the link and pic of one of the courts. This one is completely different from his Black Ink style historical decks. Looks amazing and it's got a detailed back story like his Iron Horse deck. Go visit his site for the back story and his thoughts on this new project and style.

Luminosity is a work in progress for a new deck of playing cards. It is an allegory depicting the age old conflict between good and evil. Using allegory allows me to represent a deeper spiritual meaning using the physical representation of Norse saga. Drawing from this genre allows me to tap into a rich narrative and bring to life a deeply personal journey.

https://blackinkplayingcards.com/blogs/ ... -direction
https://blackinkplayingcards.com/pages/ ... m-of-light

Here's the KoH

[Bradius]

That is an interesting departure from Jody. I really admire his work, and this one is definitely shaping up nicely.

[macstrat]

Another great deck to loom forward to!

[portcullis]

Count me in. Getting serious Wicked Kingdom vibes. This is not a bad thing.

[jodyeklund]

That is so funny! I came here this morning to post my new project. Thanks Eric!

This is a departure from what I have done in the past. Thought it was time

I couldn't find anything I wanted to do until last year and I've been developing the idea for the past 6 months. I can use your all's input GREATLY on this project, story, artwork and all. I love the encouraging words and your critique messages, but it would also be nice to here your thoughts on ideas, characters (as I reveal them) and even knowledge on Norse Mythology (I am sure there are some of you who have a better understanding of Norse Mythology). Any probing questions are welcome.

All is welcome!
Jody

[STLBluesNut]

Very nice! Can't get enough of Norse mythology and Vikings. Looking forward to seeing more.

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[rousselle]

At the moment, I am leaning toward not backing, as this art isn't *quite* up my alley. I'll continue to pay attention to this deck; I could be won over. We'll see.

However, I am *exceedingly* glad that Jody is trying a new style. This is fantastic. I am very excited to see how this develops, and how his future work develops. This is an exciting development, even if this one particular project isn't grabbing me just yet. We need this kind of experimentation from our favorite designers.

[Magic Tapp]

Jody - I too welcome the departure from your usual style. If that one card is anything to go by, the deck should be amazing and, with the high quality that we got used to, i would definitely be in.

[caniveski]

I am more likely back this : )

[Eric Lee]

No problem. Your Titans deck was my very first deck which led me down this hobby. So it's very exciting to see my fave designers push themselves.

I do have to ask. Is there a reason for the dual court? Are they reflecting the character before and after fracture?

[jodyeklund]

No problem. Your Titans deck was my very first deck which led me down this hobby. So it's very exciting to see my fave designers push themselves.

I do have to ask. Is there a reason for the dual court? Are they reflecting the character before and after fracture?

Yes, the dual sides is to represent the good and bad qualities of each court character.

[jodyeklund]

Here is the next rendering I did my Luminosity. Let me know you comments. Also, check out the full description of the character here: https://blackinkplayingcards.com/blogs/ ... -of-hearts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bradius]

Dude, the QoH is gorgeous!

[Magic Tapp]

Jody - I got to say, your cards were always wonderfully detailed but this is something else. Congratulations on stepping out of your comfort zone and doing it in such a style. I am definitely in.

Any idea as to when you might be launching this deck?

[jodyeklund]

Jody - I got to say, your cards were always wonderfully detailed but this is something else. Congratulations on stepping out of your comfort zone and doing it in such a style. I am definitely in.

Any idea as to when you might be launching this deck?

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

If all goes well, I am hoping to launch after or during fulfillment of The Golden Spike 150th Anniversary in March.

[Eric Lee]

So far so great. Nothing much to comment on what you've shown us at this point. One question. will all the courts will have their suit hidden on the card? Not sure if it's intentional or not. I see the QoH has the hearts on her belt in reverse, while the KoH is not very obvious. The heart seems to be hidden in the middle border design. I really enjoy finding these little touches on custom cards.

[portcullis]

I’m really cutting back on the decks I’m looking to add to my collection this year, for reasons I might rxpand upon later, but this is the first deck in ages I’ve actually said “Wow!”

[PipChick]

it's all looking really great so far, but the only suggestion I would offer is to try to find some way to more seamlessly merge the area in the center around the belt specifically; that's the only part of the image that looks a bit unresolved and really throws off the flow of the design as a whole & breaks the illusion of the two halves coming together as one as it sorta abruptly cuts off there, which immediately draws my eye and distracts from everything else.

Can't wait to see more!

[sms69x]

This is fantastic! A great step forward from Jody.

I must confess that I was getting tired of the same old design from Jody. I backed the Golden Spike 150th Anniversary Edition but mostly because Jody is such a great person, and not for the deck itself.

But this one is definitely a must have. Congrats Jody.

[STLBluesNut]

I didnt notice it really until PipChick pointed it out, but the midsection of the queen doesn't blend together well. It looks like the 2 halves were drawn independently and merged with a non flowing fade job.

I prefer the king with the band separating the halves over the mismatched mid of the queen.

The art and style looks great though! Cant wait to see more.


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[jodyeklund]

I just finished the Jack of Hearts Rendering and posted his story. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts. https://blackinkplayingcards.com/blogs/ ... -of-hearts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

it's all looking really great so far, but the only suggestion I would offer is to try to find some way to more seamlessly merge the area in the center around the belt specifically; that's the only part of the image that looks a bit unresolved and really throws off the flow of the design as a whole & breaks the illusion of the two halves coming together as one as it sorta abruptly cuts off there, which immediately draws my eye and distracts from everything else.

Can't wait to see more!

Yes, I agree. I will be working back to make some changes in the future. Thanks for that!

So far so great. Nothing much to comment on what you've shown us at this point. One question. will all the courts will have their suit hidden on the card? Not sure if it's intentional or not. I see the QoH has the hearts on her belt in reverse, while the KoH is not very obvious. The heart seems to be hidden in the middle border design. I really enjoy finding these little touches on custom cards.

So, I haven't decided how I am going to do the internal pips yet. The indices and pips on the outside, more than likely, will be the usual.

[Magic Tapp]

Am I missing something or is there a problem with the rendering of one of the hands on this?

[jodyeklund]

So I am cramming to get these done before March. It takes me three times as long to do the rendering for these. Much of the extra time is because of the double rendering I have to do.

Here are some more I have been working on. There are still some tweaking I will have to do. Let me know what you think.

Am I missing something or is there a problem with the rendering of one of the hands on this?

Which hand are you referring to? This will be tweaked based on some new direction my writer and I have come up with.

[Magic Tapp]

Which hand are you referring to? This will be tweaked based on some new direction my writer and I have come up with.

Hi Jody - I meant the unnatural curve of the hand here

[Romeril]

I'm liking it Jody, I'm looking forward to these!

[STLBluesNut]

I really like the art on these. I love double courts like this. It like you actually get a full art card. Whereas, courts that are the same on both side are like half a card... twice [emoji39].

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[hsbc]

The pips really blend into the background - is that on purpose?

[jodyeklund]

The pips really blend into the background - is that on purpose?

Yes it is for now. I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate the pips. I’m not really liking it and still exploring. I’m working on another suit that seems to be working better. I’ll be showing that soon.


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[jodyeklund]

So, a lot has changed. Usually, the look and feel for the project comes together in the last month for my projects. I am launching on April 15, 2019.

This time around I want to keep the final art and project more as a mystery and hopefully create some anticipation. If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram you might have seen a tuck design that was white, a lot of followers seemed to like the design. Well, that look has changed. I felt it didn't have enough of a storybook feel. I also am looking to make it more luxurious.

I want to show you all how I solved the court background and the pips. Just a few to get your all's feedback before I launch in a couple weeks.

[Romeril]

Wow, Jody, it’s looking great! I’ll be there for the launch!