ICONS Imperial edition

[Cbkimble]

I agree with chach about the lettering. Not really my style but if you really like it Lotrek why be an @$$ and ask you to change it. Art is beautiful as always. Definitely looking forward to the rest.

[Mike Ratledge]

So, given that "Byzantine" is correct (it is!), what's the trilogy, or I suppose - "how do you break it up into three logical parts??".

[sprouts1115]

Thanks Chach

That lettering is a very typical characteristic of Byzantine art. They used to write the name of the saint on the left or right side of the head and I see it more as a graphic element and I don't really care if it's easily read. I like it a lot and I'll be sorry if I have to drop it.

I think the lettering would work down the sides where you put the extra club currently and you could still have a nice big pip! Best of both worlds?

Lettering down the indices is not a bad idea. Ppl like to put daggers and lines and crap oh my!. I have to say his pip index is big enough to where he might not need a suit indicator, but if he can fit a extra club, his court is not big enough.

[Eoghann]

So, given that "Byzantine" is correct (it is!), what's the trilogy, or I suppose - "how do you break it up into three logical parts??".

A triptych of course!

[Cbkimble]

So, given that "Byzantine" is correct (it is!), what's the trilogy, or I suppose - "how do you break it up into three logical parts??".

A triptych of course!

Most definitely. An Imperial Triptych. Hey, looks like it might make or a good survey. lol.

[MagikFingerz]

I'm also not a fan of words on cards in general, but what about just having one word to make it less imposing?

K
I
N
G

^This would look better and cleaner IMO, and there's really no need to have "of clubs" because there are clubs right next to it. Having the full "King of Clubs" is in my mind comparable to having a back design that says "This is a back design", it's just unnecessary information where art should be.

Just my 2 cents. Loving the king otherwise though!

EDIT: Mike's suggestion of it being in another language would also lessen the above effect (for me, anyway).

[Mike Ratledge]

So, as much as we moan and groan about being "not proper", what's wrong with them maybe having "King of Clubs" written out on top and bottom (or left and right) margins?

Lotrek is going for a specific style / feeling / effect. Maybe use the Byzantine equivalent (or Latin, or French and Spanish) opposite so that 95% of the people in the "new world" and Europe have it in their native tongue? It's not meant to be informative, it's artistic.

Again, as always - never mistake my thoughts for artistic advice: such a thing is impossible.

[Cbkimble]

Why not do them in the language they used at the time.

[ryzellon]

That lettering is a very typical characteristic of Byzantine art. They used to write the name of the saint on the left or right side of the head and I see it more as a graphic element and I don't really care if it's easily read. I like it a lot and I'll be sorry if I have to drop it.

Would you say that it's an iconic element of Byzantine art?

Puns aside, it is a very distinctive characteristic of Byzantine icons. I'd absolutely fight to keep it. This is a modern icon, and the lettering on the KoC is pretty much spot-on. I never did take Greek, so I'm unfamiliar with the letterforms, but I got the impression that legibility was not the top priority for the artists. Perhaps making your lettering slightly less horizontally compressed and then thickening the thinner lines can add a little more legibility? That should still be well within the style. Alternatively, maybe using just the initialisms (KoC) to mimic this style of lettering? With the limited space you've got, the 3 letter method gives you way more wiggle room, and you can probably take more artistic license with the letters' shapes.

Are you not using any halos? When I think of Byzantine icons, for me, the distinctive halos are more prominent than the lettering.

[Mike Ratledge]

True that, the halo comment. That almost always means it's Byzantine:

:


(as does this:

[sprouts1115]

Be careful about posting pictures of Jesus. It's like a box of chocolates.
PRI
YouTube

[Lotrek]

Many interesting ideas and suggestions here and thank you all for the input.

- I definitely don't wish to have any lettering on the borders, under the pips or on top of the head. If I'm going to keep the lettering, it will be inside the picture. I think that ryzellon's idea is very good: Using only the initials (KoC) will engage less space and I'll have more artistic freedom to play with those 3 letters. I'll give it a try.

-The halo was used to indicate that the person portrayed was a saint. It wasn't in my plans to reveal it yet but since it was mentioned, here you are:
There will be 3 editions of this deck:
The "Secular Edition" (without the halo). This will be the standard edition.
The "Sacred Edition" (with the halo and gold metallic ink). Limited.
The "Imperial Edition" This will be a very special deck, taking the place of the Signature Edition and deserving a SWTWC thread IMO!

-The Trilogy: I don't think I want to reveal it yet but as I said each deck is going to be a tribute to a different artistic style that flourished in Europe or influenced European Art. The word "Heritage" refers to that.

[Slavich]

Many interesting ideas and suggestions here and thank you all for the input.

- I definitely don't wish to have any lettering on the borders, under the pips or on top of the head. If I'm going to keep the lettering, it will be inside the picture. I think that ryzellon's idea is very good: Using only the initials (KoC) will engage less space and I'll have more artistic freedom to play with those 3 letters. I'll give it a try.

-The halo was used to indicate that the person portrayed was a saint. It wasn't in my plans to reveal it yet but since it was mentioned, here you are:
There will be 3 editions of this deck:
The "Secular Edition" (without the halo). This will be the standard edition.
The "Sacred Edition" (with the halo and gold metallic ink). Limited.
The "Imperial Edition" This will be a very special deck, taking the place of the Signature Edition and deserving a SWTWC thread IMO!

-The Trilogy: I don't think I want to reveal it yet but as I said each deck is going to be a tribute to a different artistic style that flourished in Europe or influenced European Art. The word "Heritage" refers to that.

Wish it was 2015 already Looking forward to your next campaign Lotrek!

[rousselle]

Regarding a signed print of the King of Clubs: you can bet *I* won't object! What a kind thing for you to do! It will enjoy a space of honor displaying on the main wall in my living room.

As for the text within the illustration: what you have shown so far is very evocative of the traditional Orthodox icons I have seen, and I love it the way it is, but to the extent that you are considering changing the text to the initials of the cards, I think that will also work. Frankly, I love it the way it is, but you also want to appeal to a broader base while keeping true to your artistic vision. I'm backing this project, either way.

These. Look. Awesome.

[ryzellon]

-The halo was used to indicate that the person portrayed was a saint. It wasn't in my plans to reveal it yet but since it was mentioned, here you are:
There will be 3 editions of this deck:
The "Secular Edition" (without the halo). This will be the standard edition.
The "Sacred Edition" (with the halo and gold metallic ink). Limited.
The "Imperial Edition" This will be a very special deck, taking the place of the Signature Edition and deserving a SWTWC thread IMO!

I've always understood Byzantine icons to depict holy figures by definition, so I had to ask about the halos. The KoC looks great artistically and stands on its own merits, but I'd be absolutely want the "Sacred Edition" for the halos. I'd also love to see a gaff card reflecting iconoclasm, but I suppose it would only really work with the Sacred Edition.

-The Trilogy: I don't think I want to reveal it yet but as I said each deck is going to be a tribute to a different artistic style that flourished in Europe or influenced European Art. The word "Heritage" refers to that.

I'm crossing my fingers for Attic Red-figure style (or Black-figure), but I'll happily settle for any style Lotrek's picked--they're sure to be good. Can't wait to learn more.

[DragonSoul]

Sooo excited for these! Although I would back Lotrek sight unseen, I love the King and want to see more!

[wahl0108]

Halos too! A bonus! Hope you keep the original lettering. And when you say early next year, that means no later than January right?

[Mike Ratledge]

Halos too! A bonus! Hope you keep the original lettering. And when you say early next year, that means no later than January right?

The design work for Venexiana Dark was over when the artwork was sent in to Expert, but the group just won't start a new project until the previous campaign backer rewards are filled - even if it's not our fault they are late. Otherwise Lorenzo would be running Deck N°17 v2 already. He should be, Heretic decks should already be on there way to you instead of being rerouted to get into the US.

These will be teased appropriately over the next couple of months and as soon as V Dark decks are at least being delivered. I am certain Lotrek will be ready to go with the first deck of the Byzantine ICONS series. The guessing game for what's special (and unique) about the decks that would be the equivalent of a Signature or Reserve edition might take a while. Get ready for another breakthrough. I love it when "I've got a secret"!

[Lotrek]

Halos too! A bonus! Hope you keep the original lettering. And when you say early next year, that means no later than January right?

The design work for Venexiana Dark was over when the artwork was sent in to Expert, but the group just won't start a new project until the previous campaign backer rewards are filled - even if it's not our fault they are late. Otherwise Lorenzo would be running Deck N°17 v2 already. He should be, Heretic decks should already be on there way to you instead of being rerouted to get into the US.

These will be teased appropriately over the next couple of months and as soon as V Dark decks are at least being delivered. I am certain Lotrek will be ready to go with the first deck of the Byzantine ICONS series. The guessing game for what's special (and unique) about the decks that would be the equivalent of a Signature or Reserve edition might take a while. Get ready for another breakthrough. I love it when "I've got a secret"!

While I have stated that I don't like launching a new project before the previous is fulfilled, the delays in delivery caused by printing companies have started being the norm. This results on me being unable to make a proper business plan, which I hate. I'll probably have to launch ICONS before Venexiana Dark is fully delivered, hoping that backers won't be too angry. As they seem to be rather hungry!

[Stockholm17]

really niceeeee! just saw it
great stuff Lotrek

[sprouts1115]

@Lotrek - 2nd look. I have to agree with MagikFingerz Don't put text on a card if it's not needed, but what is interesting is you could put "KoC" vertically here in that Byzantine font you were talking about. I have not seen a card that actually had that kind of format. It was somewhat discussed here

Screenshot 2014-12-07 14.58.09.png (10.88 KiB) Viewed 3437 times

That club in middle is unnecessary information like MagikFingerz says. Your indices are bigger. YOu can go wild... And ppl are watching.

[Eoghann]

For crying out loud.

[chach]

For crying out loud.

I know right, didn't realize the can of worms I was opening up. I admit I wasn't partial to the text at first, but after Lotrek explained the reasoning behind it I have to admit it's grown on me. Plus it's Lotrek's vision and I trust his artistic eye more than I do my tattoo artist's.

In other words, and to paraphrase the great philosophisers, Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, "Party on, Lotrek!"

[Eoghann]

Got a nice little surprise today. Forgot I was getting this! Looking forward to the rest of this project! Already have Arcana, Coven going...just need Lorenzo's next project and Icons!

[rousselle]

Received my print on the same day. Thanks, Lotrek! Brilliant artwork! I look forward to framing it and hanging it up on my wall very soon.

[Lotrek]

Glad you guys like it.

My Byzantine army is preparing to rush in the battlefield!

[DragonSoul]

That print looks fantastic! Looking forward to this one!

[Mike Ratledge]

Can't say much yet, but I found out that this deck will be launched on KS in about 10 days.

Obviously, I know a good bit more and have seen samples of the artwork and process, but for now that's all I can say.

I started to make another "Something Wicked..." thread, but this goes WAY beyond that!

January 20th is the projected launch date, just to be clear since this message will not count those days down.

[vasta41]

When I hear 'luxurious' I think bounded leather and gold... close?

[Eoghann]

Rich, Corinthian Leather.