MEMENTO a new bycicle deck based on Hystory

[Valerio]

Hi Guys,

Here I am again after my first post.
I have to say the minimal design wasn't really appealing as someone already said on this forum, The campain on kickstarter wasn't too good so far.

So I'm redesining the alpha deck with a totally different look.
This is one of my first cards, the queen of hearts.

I would love to have some feedback from you

[Eoghann]

I'm liking what I see! The wardrobe looks fantastic and intricate!

[Valerio]

Thank you!
Someone told me the face is too big compared to the hands, I'll probably make it a bit smaller.

[Eoghann]

The traditional queens don't exactly have proportionate hands, some are larger than others. And it's up to you if you want to go with proper proportion. One thing I would suggest (and this is just a personal suggestion) is to reduce the chin. And tilt the right side of the mouth upwards, seems to be facing independently from the rest of her face.

[volantangel]

Guys i moved the thread, think this is more in the drafting stage rather than in the ready stage.

I think her face looks a little manly ?

[Valerio]

could be... might be the hair...

[Eoghann]

I have to say it's the chin. Here's a crappy little mock up I made. I reduced the chin and the lips. Also made her face shorter. She needs more delicate details and not such a sharp jawline.

[dazzleguts]

I agree about the tilt of the mouth, but I like the stronger chin. Maybe something between the two?

[sastian]

one artist to another.. its more of an overall proportion of all elements of the face... if you want i can draw you some notes

[sastian]

hope im not stepping on toes here.. but heres my take.

[Valerio]

I'll Try to do something in the evening... thank you all for you're help.

[volantangel]

Oh and just one little thing more, why the heart with the flat bottom ?

[Valerio]

update guys queen of clubs

[Mike Ratledge]

I'll Try to do something in the evening... thank you all for you're help.

Sorry, I've been working four straight 10-hour shifts the past 4 days, so I haven't had much time to comment, but I think you're definitely on the right track now.

Just like I told you before everybody here wants to help you succeed, and it's really great to see you interacting with everyone in order to make everything end up better! I think it's starting to look really good!

[Eoghann]

Some might say that the cheek line makes her look mature. But I have to admit I quite like it. It's not often I see that.

Funny how a single line can make such a difference.

[volantangel]

This looks much better than version 1. Are you modeling the court after someone ? Typically you wouldn't put moles on a court for no special reason ! They now remind me of origins, and I meant that as a complement

[Valerio]

hanks,

Actually thoose are 2 different queens.
Queens of hearts and queen of clubs.

What do you mean with moles? tryed to translate with google but it doesn't work

I got the inspiration from different decks I've seen online, couldn't say wich one in particular.


Athena, Queen of spades.

[volantangel]

A mole is the dot under her eye. Haha I don't know how to translate it as well. Really like the new courts, much better than the Qoh.

I was asking if you were drawing the courts based on real life people you know

[Valerio]

Oh yeah, the queen of clubs is my sister and, she has a mole there, that's why...

[Valerio]

In the tradition of french playing cards. Kind of Diamonds reppresents Julius Caesar.

Name Julius caesar, all the elements of this card has been taken from hystorical informations about julius caesar.

- The X in the middle
Legio X Equestris (Latin: "Tenth legion 'mounted'" - Equestris), a Roman legion, was levied by Julius Caesar in 61 BC when he was the Governor of Hispania Ulterior.
- The Axe:
The fasces had its origin in the Etruscan civilization, and was passed on to ancient Rome, where it symbolized a magistrate's power and jurisdiction
- The daggers:
According to Eutropius, around 60 or more men participated in the assassination. He was stabbed 23 times.
- Laurel wreath:
in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph.

Julius Caesar.jpg (312.42 KiB) Viewed 2005 times

[Eoghann]

Love it! 23 daggers, ouch!

One suggestion? The center dagger, the one right on the X, it's making the court card one sided. Kind of defeating the purpose of mirroring the artwork.

[Valerio]

yeah but they have to be 23... can't mirror a 23...

[Eoghann]

Can't argue with history.

How about....instead of a dagger you make the center one a bleeding wound instead? Too gruesome? That could make the court symmetrical.
Regardless, I don't exactly mind one way courts, but a lot of people might object to it.

[Valerio]

I could try with a wound.. It will have to bleed on both sides though....

[Valerio]

Update in the first post!

[Valerio]

The back

[MagikFingerz]

Very many have done the "4 suits on back design", and it almost never works. It makes the back asymmetrical and one-way, which is not what most seem to prefer. In my personal opinion back designs SHOULD be mirrored, it is what separates a good playing card back design from any other type of design.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most people look at the top half first. That back has the pips right way in the bottom half.

I like the kinda "3D room" effect it's got going on though, and the center part is very nice.

[Eoghann]

Aside from the corner pips, I really really like everything else. I agree with Tom in making the back symmetrical. Perhaps working all four pips into each circle if you really want them there. Although I think the back could very well do without them at all.

[zev hoover]

I agree, put something else in the corners and you have a killer design. one thing, I think your center radial thing with all the lines is not symmetrical. if you just rotate it a smidgen it would be.

oh, and also I think that in the dot fields, you should make the dots a little smaller, or further apart. they seem to be touching, which doesn't really look that good.

seriously though, awesome design.

[MagikFingerz]

I agree, put something else in the corners and you have a killer design. one thing, I think your center radial thing with all the lines is not symmetrical. if you just rotate it a smidgen it would be.

oh, and also I think that in the dot fields, you should make the dots a little smaller, or further apart. they seem to be touching, which doesn't really look that good.

seriously though, awesome design.

The center piece not being symmetrical could be a subtle way of making it a one-way, ie not noticable unless you look very closely or know about it (useful for magicians). Although things like that are usually closer to the edge so as to be visible without having to see the whole back (ie in spreads and fans).

The dots I feel are working the way the are, I think it might be intentional for them to be so close. Makes it look like they are the "floor" in a room (the "borders" in the corners have that 3D effect to look like walls).