View Full Version : The Masque Tarot - My Second Tarot Deck
blue_fusion
15-07-2002, 22:03
well, these cards are for my second deck (they're not the final form, however), originally planned to be an art nouveau one. but alas, it looked more like a fusion of the cloysters tarot and expressionism, and stained glass at that. the reason why the backgrounds of the cards look a bit like a child's doodling is because i had to draw them using my mouse since i couldn't go to my friend's house to scan the pics (this because of the weather we're having in these parts). i hope you guys like them. though. :)
blue_fusion
15-07-2002, 22:05
here's the high priestess. :)
Wow - looking good Blue Fusions! Lot's of detail and strong colour! I especially like that hight priestess! Can't wait to see more! You have done really well witht he back grounds, rendering it with just the mouse... Good one! :D
GoserGosarian
16-07-2002, 03:01
WOW... these look good. Im jealous, as my hand drawn art sucks...I must rely on Photoshop. I too am considering replacing the page with the princess... if thats what youre doing.
blue_fusion
16-07-2002, 03:22
Originally posted by GoserGosarian
WOW... these look good. Im jealous, as my hand drawn art sucks...I must rely on Photoshop. I too am considering replacing the page with the princess... if thats what youre doing.
actually, i'm gonna add the princess card - that makes it page, knight, princess, queen, king. thanks for the complement, though. i really like looking at your deck, and i envy your photoshop skills, as i have yet to learn them. good day! :)
OMG!!!! You MUST finish and publish this deck!!!!! I HAVE to have it!
Major Tom
17-07-2002, 04:44
Originally posted by blue_fusion20
actually, i'm gonna add the princess card - that makes it page, knight, princess, queen, king. thanks for the complement, though. i really like looking at your deck, and i envy your photoshop skills, as i have yet to learn them. good day! :)
Your cards look really good. :)
I'm curious why you've chosen to add a princess card. What do you see as the difference between the princess and the page? How would you interpret them?
blue_fusion
17-07-2002, 08:10
Originally posted by Major Tom
Your cards look really good. :)
I'm curious why you've chosen to add a princess card. What do you see as the difference between the princess and the page? How would you interpret them?
well, since i view the court cards as aspects of human development, i'm gonna attempt to split the aspects for knight, and make it politically correct by adding a princess. the page cards do not need the same treatment as children have not yet achieved the sense of sexual division visible in young adults and adults. doi make any sense? :)
blue_fusion
17-07-2002, 08:24
oh, and i also changed the suits: sword, cup, fan (instead of wand) and instead of pentacle - orb/urn (i still can't decide). and the reason for them? well, i just want some change in the look of things. sorry if i disappoint anyone. :)
Id go for orb myself, urn might be easily confused with cup, and my favorite deck has what Id call orbs, tho it calls them disks. (The Rohrig)
:THP
GoserGosarian
17-07-2002, 20:29
Thats interesting....adding the princess.
The reason I chose to replace the page with princess is balance. It just seemed that the female aspect was underrepresented...king, knight, page...and then queen. Plus, traditionally, the princess seems more of an "innocent" and sheltered card, more like a child than a court page/gopher.
blue_fusion
18-07-2002, 12:45
here's the king of fans. the background's definitely going to change once i get a hold of a scanner. the figure of the king will be retained. i had hoped for a more tomb looking background but my mouse drawing skill proved inadequate. so it became more abstract. a pity though that the ceremonial fans and torches are indistinguishable.... :)
blue_fusion
18-07-2002, 12:55
sorry bout that. Here is the king of fans card... :)
Major Tom
19-07-2002, 03:44
Originally posted by GoserGosarian
Thats interesting....adding the princess.
The reason I chose to replace the page with princess is balance. It just seemed that the female aspect was underrepresented...king, knight, page...and then queen. Plus, traditionally, the princess seems more of an "innocent" and sheltered card, more like a child than a court page/gopher.
I replaced the page with princess for similar reasons - also because I liked the way the Spiral treated princesses.
Blue_fusion20 - How do you invision 'splitting' the aspects of the knight between princess and knight? Is it strictly a female/male thing? I see the active qualities of the knight as being completely sexless...
You might want to look at some of the court card discussions on the Using Tarot Cards board...
With 5 court cards did you consider the possibility of 5 suits? })
blue_fusion
19-07-2002, 12:10
Originally posted by Major Tom
I replaced the page with princess for similar reasons - also because I liked the way the Spiral treated princesses.
Blue_fusion20 - How do you invision 'splitting' the aspects of the knight between princess and knight? Is it strictly a female/male thing? I see the active qualities of the knight as being completely sexless...
You might want to look at some of the court card discussions on the Using Tarot Cards board...
With 5 court cards did you consider the possibility of 5 suits? })
again, i view the court cards as levels of human development. the pages symbolizing children (yet androgenous), the knight and princess, symbolizing youth, and the King and Queen, symbolizing maturity.
for the princess, i split the youth in two parts, the princess here symbolizing the more feminine, feeling, emotional, aspects of youth.
for the knight, this would be masculine aspects of youth.
perhaps it is strictly male/female. but in changing the page to princess, i find that the child aspect is lost, as a young woman is very different from a child (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), and in youth, in puberty, there is the stark differentiation between what is male and what is female. the discoveries, the mixed emotions, the journeys and paths taken, i believe, differ much. this is what i hope to capture in splitting the knight and princess.
and, no i haven't read the threads you recommended, though i will now.
also, i have considered the creation of a fifth suit (the spirit, the culmination of the four elements), but this will seem more superior to the already existing four. and i've always believed that the major arcana already represents this.
hope that answers your queries.
:)
Major Tom
20-07-2002, 04:59
Originally posted by blue_fusion20
hope that answers your queries.
:)
Thank you for your answers. :)
Let me see if I understand: Speaking hypothetically - your Princess card could - when used for divination - actually represent a young man undergoing an emotional crisis? And your Knight card could represent a young woman in action?
blue_fusion
20-07-2002, 08:05
Originally posted by Major Tom
Thank you for your answers. :)
Let me see if I understand: Speaking hypothetically - your Princess card could - when used for divination - actually represent a young man undergoing an emotional crisis? And your Knight card could represent a young woman in action?
yes. precisely. i just wanted to isolate the feminine aspect of adolesence. :)
FeralFey
20-07-2002, 18:51
Wow!! I thought since you were kind enough to look at my cards, I'd repay the favor and check out yours. I'm IMPRESSED. They are beautiful. Wonderful work!!!
Then, of course, I couldn't help but read the other topics of discussion in this thread and I find it interesting that you're splitting the the knight into two parts and still keeping the page. I definitely see your point on doing so and there seems to be something esthetically pleasing about having five court figures instead of the traditional four. I don't think it's something that I would explore in my practice deck, but I think it may solve some of my issues with my novel deck. It, at the very least, has given me something to think about in how I'm going to approach the page and the knight cards when I get around to making my own.
Keep up the great work!
--FeralFey
Starfish
20-07-2002, 19:53
Blue -
They are just beautiful - your HP :THP is stunning! I'm hoping to see these as a deck to purchase soon... ;)
:TAW Starfish
blue_fusion
25-07-2002, 08:17
hi. here's another installment for my tarot deck. it's the queen of fans. please tell me what you guys think of it. by the way, thanks for those who gave comments on my earlier cards.
Starfish
25-07-2002, 10:02
Originally posted by blue_fusion20
hi. here's another installment for my tarot deck. it's the queen of fans. please tell me what you guys think of it. by the way, thanks for those who gave comments on my earlier cards.
Blue -
She's stunning! I love her facial mask - a Green Lady of sorts (plus, her hair looks like mine ;))
Keep up the beautiful work!!
:TSUN Starfish
wauw there so good!
And beautiful, gorgeous and so on!
Please finish...it look like a deck i would like to work with!
Love and light
Maan
blue_fusion
29-07-2002, 10:53
hey. thanks all for your comments. i actually want to finish this deck before the year ends, but my thesis is hindering that. anyway, i welcome suggestions to the other cards of the deck (imagery, or certain styles perhaps). and maybe we can also collaborate on a deck one of these days.... :)
Poetlove
07-08-2002, 09:32
Wow, As a person getting ready to go into the wonderful field of creative art (Computer Graphics). I really enjoy looking at the ideas others can come up with. Great work, I can't wait to see the rest.
Blue Fusion, these cards are just beautiful. Wow! You are a talented artist. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a a website where we can keep track of the all the new creations?
blue_fusion
25-08-2002, 08:28
Originally posted by Molly
Blue Fusion, these cards are just beautiful. Wow! You are a talented artist. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a a website where we can keep track of the all the new creations?
well, my first deck (the anime one) has. but i'm still waiting to have some free time to make one for this deck. i'll keep you guys updated. unfortunately, i have to wait until next year to subscribe to aeclectic (as by then, i would have graduated from college and get work), so i won't be able to attach images to my post. thus necessitating a website for this deck.
:)
BTW, Blue Fusion, congrats on getting to 100! (I noticed the number under your post!) Cool new AVATAR!
blue_fusion
25-08-2002, 14:47
Originally posted by Molly
BTW, Blue Fusion, congrats on getting to 100! (I noticed the number under your post!) Cool new AVATAR!
hey thanks. :) BTW, i've started making a temporary site showcasing the cards i've finished so far. :)
SherryZoned
25-08-2002, 15:09
Wow Blue...amazing...I love the extra court...you be upset if i did that with my deck i am trying to create..I totally agree with that extra femine aspect!!
blue_fusion
25-08-2002, 22:40
Originally posted by RedWood
Wow Blue...amazing...I love the extra court...you be upset if i did that with my deck i am trying to create..I totally agree with that extra femine aspect!!
hey, that's totally ok with me... just as long as you show me your beautiful work! :)
Wow! Such beautiful cards! :)
Where can we find your first deck? :)
blue_fusion
26-08-2002, 11:50
Originally posted by Strega
Where can we find your first deck? :)
i'm still making a website for this deck. i made the website of my first deck as the temporary location for this one. it's at
http://necromance.topcities.com
just click on the "Masque Tarot" trump.
also, i'm currently making the backgrounds of around ten cards for this deck, which i will, hpoefully, be able to upload by next week.
just keep you guys updated.
:)
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. ;)
I'm so glad this thread was revived! I havent had much chance to read archives, and these cards are just scrumptuous!
I wanted to chime in that I think adding a suit is interesting, as the 5th element or ether, immediately calls to mind a suit representing matters of the immaterial/spiritual. It is after all an important aspect, whether pursued or ignored, in everyone's life. However, as you said, if in doing so you only repeat what the Majors have to say, then what's the point? (Being a libra here, sorry).
Anyhow, what are your latest thoughts on the idea?
o h p.s. and I forgot to mention that adding the Princess makes sense to me as well. It certainly is a well thought out concept and I concurred immeidately!
blue_fusion
27-08-2002, 11:19
hi. i've added the death card in the site for my masque deck. :)
:) http://necromance.topcities.com :)
SherryZoned
27-08-2002, 12:05
Blue..sure thing..course mien cant hold a candle to yours..I have have card worked out except for drawing th efool..i just cant draw it well.
blue_fusion
29-08-2002, 06:51
Originally posted by RedWood
Blue..sure thing..course mien cant hold a candle to yours..I have have card worked out except for drawing th efool..i just cant draw it well.
of course not. i think that every work has its own level of beauty. :)
anyways, i've also added the sun card in my gallery. :)
added cards
----
as well as the star card.
the wheel card,
the moon card,
and the card back design
:)
Your deck is stunning so far!!
They have a Van Gogh feel to them with the brilliant colors and swirly texture.
Just beautiful...
Maiden
blue_fusion
05-09-2002, 19:49
i've also added the lovers card. :)
I love that Lovers card Blue_Fusion! Fantastic, I love the way you do their hair. :D
Coming along nicely there
You know what else I just realized I love? The little bit of shading in the border of the cards that makes it look like the pictures are 3d from the border hehe
:THP
blue_fusion
06-09-2002, 13:30
Originally posted by Liliana
Coming along nicely there
You know what else I just realized I love? The little bit of shading in the border of the cards that makes it look like the pictures are 3d from the border hehe
:THP
thanks for noticing. i wanted a simple border, but one that makes the images stand out. so i made it that way. :)
Originally posted by Kayne
I love that Lovers card Blue_Fusion! Fantastic, I love the way you do their hair.
yeah. but i love the way you shade, man. i don't know the first thing about that. i just played around with the shading of smoe of the cards, that's why there's no distict light source... :)
impressive!!! and special...
blue_fusion
09-09-2002, 08:16
hi. i've also added the hierophant card
Oooh! Lovely! These are all done on the computer? Or drawn and scanned? Or both? :)
P.S. Mind posting the direct source (address) of each new card (next time)? So that we (those of us in slooow modems) don't have to wait for the whole page to load? :D
blue_fusion
09-09-2002, 11:22
Originally posted by Strega
Oooh! Lovely! These are all done on the computer? Or drawn and scanned? Or both? :)
actually, both. sometimes i scan the line art for the finished image. clean it in the computer and add a few details, and colour them. sometimes i just scan the drawing for the main character, and then make a background for them in my computer (mouse-drawn). :)
Originally posted by Strega
P.S. Mind posting the direct source (address) of each new card (next time)? So that we (those of us in slooow modems) don't have to wait for the whole page to load? :D
sure thing! :)
blue_fusion
28-09-2002, 04:32
what should i do? originally, in conceiving the masque tarot, i intended that all people in the cards were to have masks, these of course as symbolisms for various aspects of life - both positive and negative, depending on the card. it was the woman in the world card who was to bare her whole face, unhidden by a mask (symbolizing transcendence), however, in doing the justice card, i thought that it would be appropriate for her (justice) not to wear a mask, since it will symbloize that justice sees through no lenses. at the same time, however, wearing a mask would symbolize that in all decisions and judgements by man, all are made with certain prejudices and preconceived notions as we all work in a certain social context or framework.
so should i let her have a mask, or not?
the draft of the card is attached...
:)
Love the justice card :)
I would leave here mask of..i like the idea that she sees more...i am going for the same thing in my deck..i'm trying to give justice cats eyes...cause they see thru everthing :)
I agree with Maan... I'd leave the mask off. :)
WillieHewes
28-09-2002, 17:26
Actually, I disagree. I really love the idea of the World being the only one not wearing a mask. Traditionally, personifications of justice wear blindfolds, to show they are unprejudiced. Would that work for you?
Willie
blue_fusion
28-09-2002, 23:31
i'm still undecided. so i'll make two versions of the cards, and make them exactly the same, except that one's wearing a mask and the other, without one.
by the way, i've also been workin on the temperance card. here it is (attached):
:)
Originally posted by Maan
I would leave here mask of..i like the idea that she sees more...i am going for the same thing in my deck..i'm trying to give justice cats eyes...cause they see thru everthing :)
I agree with EVERYTHING Maan says...
Especially the one about CATS... *purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrsss*
I like the idea that Justice perceives without prejudice, particularly in the Major Arcanor of the tarot, being the cards of spiritual matters... but I also like the idea that the World is the only one without a mask. Perhaps you could make it with a mask but without holes to see through and an 'eye' design in the position of her third eye, to reflect the idea that she is seeing with more than just the physical eyes?
(LOVE TEMPERANCE!!!)
blue_fusion
29-09-2002, 11:55
Originally posted by kayne
I like the idea that Justice perceives without prejudice, particularly in the Major Arcanor of the tarot, being the cards of spiritual matters... but I also like the idea that the World is the only one without a mask. Perhaps you could make it with a mask but without holes to see through and an 'eye' design in the position of her third eye, to reflect the idea that she is seeing with more than just the physical eyes?
(LOVE TEMPERANCE!!!)
thanks for the great idea kayne! :D that actually solves my problem! YAY! :)
I love the colors you used on Temperance... not what I expected... but yet another beautiful card! :)
blue_fusion
29-09-2002, 13:01
Originally posted by Strega
I love the colors you used on Temperance... not what I expected... but yet another beautiful card! :)
thanks for the complement! :) i'm just curious, what did you expect that i'd create for the temperanc card, as i'd really like to hear feedback on my deck? :)
blue_fusion
02-10-2002, 10:57
hi. here's yet another installment to my tarot deck: the judgement card. you'll see my preference of the image of galariel's magical fountain (the angel in the card has a pitcher of sorts). i will include my perceived meaning of the images i used in the website i'm making, but that'll be by mid-october. also, i'm not quite sure on the color scheme of this card.
:)
WillieHewes
02-10-2002, 11:02
Very nice. What part of the colours aren't you happy with? Perhaps you could make her wings a little brighter, set them apart more clearly from her dress. For the rest, I wouldn't change a thing. It's beautiful.
Willie
blue_fusion
02-10-2002, 11:29
Originally posted by WillieHewes
What part of the colours aren't you happy with?
i don't know. it just doesn't feel 100 percent right. it has that fairy thing going (not to say that thats not good), which may not be as unified with the other cards in my deck as i want it to be.
thanks for the suggestion though. i'll try it. :)
I like it a lot! Especially the people shapes coming from the pitcher. The colours are great, perhaps you could define the wings from the dress more by showing the bottom edge of them? Just a suggestion, but really, I like it as it is... :)
Originally posted by blue_fusion20
thanks for the complement! :) i'm just curious, what did you expect that i'd create for the temperanc card, as i'd really like to hear feedback on my deck? :) I don't know... a lighter color for the robes perhaps? (But that's just me... :D)
Love the Judgement card! Especially the pitcher pouring souls. :)
Demonesse
09-10-2002, 18:59
I've been to your website (it doesn't load easily) and I think your work is gorgeous; Maiden's allusion to Van Gogh is apt, especially his Starry Night. Don't change the High Priestess, although your second rendition of her is technically very competent, especially the curled wind-tossed hair - I feel the first, masked one is more compelling. I think Judgement is the loveliest of them all, followed closely by the Hierophant and High Priestess. Perhaps instead of just showing the females posing 'artistically' in many of the cards, you could set the figures in more interesting angles and motions, and different backdrops like deserts or jungles.
However, I have a few brickbats. The male in the Lovers card looks terribly stiff to me and contrasts with the rest of the card, which isn't as outstanding as the others in the first place - and Death, though made poignant by the baby in her arms, looks to me like...a pretender to Death's throne, if you know what I mean -the facial expression is not compelling, as Death should be. The Wheel of Fortune is similarly unremarkable.
But then again, it's your sweat and blood, and you know what's best for yourself. Good luck in getting it published.
blue_fusion
09-10-2002, 19:54
thanks for your comments i will answer them to the best that i can...
Originally posted by Demonesse
Don't change the High Priestess, although your second rendition of her is technically very competent, especially the curled wind-tossed hair - I feel the first, masked one is more compelling.
i think you may have confused my high priestess with the justice card i'm also making. :)
Originally posted by Demonesse
However, I have a few brickbats. The male in the Lovers card looks terribly stiff to me and contrasts with the rest of the card, which isn't as outstanding as the others in the first place - and Death, though made poignant by the baby in her arms, looks to me like...a pretender to Death's throne, if you know what I mean -the facial expression is not compelling, as Death should be. The Wheel of Fortune is similarly unremarkable.
well, this shows my lack of formal training. for one thing, i am not very adept at drawing male figures. as for the death card, i wanted her not to have any expression (perhaps symbolizing death's impartiality). the wheel card, was influenced by the moirae (fates) so there's one to cut, the other to measure, and the last weaves the whole tapestry herlself. to add a "wheel" effect to it, i used primary colors for the three main figures (red, yellow, and blue) to form a color wheel...LOL
anyways, thanks for the comments they have been quite constructive, and i shall keep themin mind when i apply finishing touches to a hopefully more complete deck. :)
Demonesse
10-10-2002, 01:26
Ah. My mistake. I think your justice is technically beautiful but perhaps not so evocative of the card's meaning, she looks more like a potential temptress to me.
As for the Fates, perhaps you could show them in the "act of determining" someone's fate, or attempt to portray their attitude towards fate and mortality in general. And I notice most of your figures are face-on and full-body (or at least until the lower torso). This, I feel, is a bit repetitive and takes away some of the impact of the figures- maybe you could try, for example with the Death card, portraying in more sombre colours a side-angled close up of Death, with her large eyes staring out.
* I find that my computer will not load the phoenix-looking male and the temperance card, no matter how many times I reboot. Care to offer a remedy? And perhaps if you have the time you could give an extreme close-up of one card on your website so the shading and all is actually visible, I would find it rather interesting.
blue_fusion
10-10-2002, 11:00
Originally posted by Demonesse
Ah. My mistake. I think your justice is technically beautiful but perhaps not so evocative of the card's meaning, she looks more like a potential temptress to me.
As for the Fates, perhaps you could show them in the "act of determining" someone's fate, or attempt to portray their attitude towards fate and mortality in general. And I notice most of your figures are face-on and full-body (or at least until the lower torso). This, I feel, is a bit repetitive and takes away some of the impact of the figures- maybe you could try, for example with the Death card, portraying in more sombre colours a side-angled close up of Death, with her large eyes staring out.
* I find that my computer will not load the phoenix-looking male and the temperance card, no matter how many times I reboot. Care to offer a remedy? And perhaps if you have the time you could give an extreme close-up of one card on your website so the shading and all is actually visible, I would find it rather interesting.
thank you again for your comments. :) i shall try to consider these when making adjustments to the cards and site. as for the bigger images, perhaps when i do get the time. of course, you'd understand if i don't feature the whole image, with piracy and all. as for the symbolisms and colors used in the cards, i shall offer lengthier explanations in the site, when i get some more time. :)
:eek:
These cards are like liquid stained glass. I am completely enraptured, so I'm afraid I can't currently give you any objective advice. ...wow.
blue_fusion
20-10-2002, 22:34
after a long time of not updating, here's another installment to my deck. the hermit. there's the traditional light source part in the image, though now, he's holding a candle. i chose the desert as a setting as it symbolizes isolation, and the hermit represents a turning away from society to look for answers within the self (heck, no one lives in the desert LOL). also, i chose a youth instead of the crusty old man, since, though i feel that soul-seeking is applicable to anyone, i also feel that it is in this critical stage in life where we are quite confused (raging hormones) and are generally looking for ourselves. more explanations will be available in the site, once i revamp it. oh, and the images are also smaller, to accomodate the dimentions of the new site. i hope you like it (the card, i mean). :)
WillieHewes
21-10-2002, 04:35
Very nice. Unexpected, but again very pretty. It has a candle-in-the-wind feel that's really appropriate. The smaller image does lose you some of the detail though. Pity we can't see it as it really is. Keep it up! :)
blue_fusion
22-10-2002, 12:23
i've made a new site for this deck! :) yay! just click on the link below
http://www.geocities.com/blue_fusion20/index.html
:)
Demonesse
22-10-2002, 13:09
Nice site! I don't s'pose you'll change that light yellow bit on the back design though :P
blue_fusion
22-10-2002, 13:28
Originally posted by Demonesse
Nice site! I don't s'pose you'll change that light yellow bit on the back design though :P
oh. that one. actually, the card back featured in the site is the old one. i remade some of the colors since wheni tried printing them, they appearedto loud, contrary to my original plan which was to make them subdued. :)
Major Tom
23-10-2002, 04:15
A nice site to display your visually appealing deck. :)
zander770
04-11-2002, 12:23
just great!!!
770, to you!
blue_fusion
16-11-2002, 10:25
after yet another few weeks of inactivity, here's another card. the hanged man. the woman is suspended from the trees by a golden snake symbolizing kundalini. i shall write more about the card's symbolisma bit later, when i have more time. as with some of my other cards, it leans towards a blue-violet color orientation, which i have a predilaction towards. i will, however, change this color scheme, when i get a feel of a better set of colors for it. meanwhile, here it is:
Demonesse
16-11-2002, 20:49
Gorgeous! Shouldn't it be the Hanged (Wo)man though? The Hanged Man title is a bit odd when you see a beautiful female-ish form dangling downwards.
blue_fusion
16-11-2002, 22:22
Originally posted by Demonesse
Gorgeous! Shouldn't it be the Hanged (Wo)man though? The Hanged Man title is a bit odd when you see a beautiful female-ish form dangling downwards.
hmm, i was originally thinking of using traditional card names for the deck, but your suggestion got me thinking of changing some card names. oh well, off to the draewing board for me... :)
Wow - I like it! Anything with a snake in it is good to me :D I can't wait to see much larger versions of these cards... She does look quite bound though. I am interested in this kandalini character... :)
Why not call it "The Hanged One" so that it remains gendreless... :)
Demonesse
17-11-2002, 00:19
'Kundalini' is an Indian representation of the coiled snake at the base of the spine and is also a type of energy in yoga, and tantricsm; it is similar to the Indian Prana and Chinese Qi.
blue_fusion
17-11-2002, 00:26
Originally posted by Demonesse
'Kundalini' is an Indian representation of the coiled snake at the base of the spine and is also a type of energy in yoga, and tantricsm; it is similar to the Indian Prana and Chinese Qi.
that's right. it is said that this snake uncoils and passes through all 7 chakras (energy centres) in the body, as the full energy of the body is awakened. :)
blue_fusion
17-11-2002, 00:31
Originally posted by kayne
Why not call it "The Hanged One" so that it remains gendreless... :)
yes. i kinda like that. :)
blue_fusion
26-11-2002, 05:11
here's the justice card. the background's inspired by a scene from the movie "the never ending story", i think, where the pair of sphinxes destroy those who pass between them who are not pure of heart, or something like that. (thanks for the background suggestion, though, kayne. i'mplanning to use it on a future deck. :))
Magic Bean
26-11-2002, 19:55
I want one too!
Demonesse
27-11-2002, 18:53
I remember the Neverending Story! That's an interesting reference, but I thought the lightning shattered those not "chosen"? Btw, blue_fusion, you definitely have to get this published! I want one too!
Blue_fusion, it just keeps getting better! :)
I am looking forward to seeing larger versions too...
Why don't you get a Deviant Art (http://www.deviantart.com) account to put your stuff, full size, there? :D
blue_fusion
28-11-2002, 06:56
thanks for the complements guys. :) i'm just worried aboutlooking for publishers, if indeed the times comes, and was particularly disappointed when llywellyn rejected the Mary-El tarot (if that gorgeous deck wasn't up to THEIR standards, then what more of my deck, which pales in comparison?) but, regardless, i shall continue working on it. :)
blue_fusion
08-12-2002, 22:22
here's the test card, Umbrae. i forgottomention that there's another trial card. shows a man high above, riding the palm of a giant. :)
Demonesse
11-12-2002, 20:00
It's ok I guess, but I prefer your other cards.
blue_fusion
12-01-2003, 02:16
its been a long time since i last posted here. too many things are going on right now, its vebome hard to focus on this deck. well, i did manage to make a second card back design for it... :)
temperlyne
12-01-2003, 05:47
I love your design for the backs! It's so elegant, it seems to flow. It give me a sense of calm and peace, like looking at a starlit lake.
Simply wonderful!
I hope you can find the time/peace/strength and inspiration to continue your work on this deck.
Insomnia Turtle
13-01-2003, 06:43
What a wonderful coincidence! A friend of mine was just raving about your Sailor Moon Tarot yesterday. Who would have thought you were a member of Aeclectic (I'm new, by the way :)).
I must say, your mask tarot cards are lovely! Can't wait to see more!
blue_fusion
13-01-2003, 08:23
here's the tower card, though i'm still thinking about a better color scheme....
DarkChild
07-02-2003, 17:48
i really enjoyed looking at you deck to be! when i saw the first card i thought that was almost to bizy for me with all the diffrent colours, but the more cards i saw the morei enjoyed them, you managed to pull it off and it looks great!
blue_fusion
21-05-2003, 13:32
after a very long while, i've got renewed inspiration to continue with this deck. :) but, wow, its getting longer and longer to clean the images that i make vi photoshop. which explains for the delay. plus the fact that its hard to concentrate, not to mention, shift drawing styles, when one is doing 2 decks at the same time (this and the vanessa). but hey, i'm happy with it. (and tired, LOL). attached is a pic of my 5 of fans (wands) uncolored. i do hope you can give me inputs on it, though it might be difficult distinguishing the details of the image at first glance. i also hope i can finish more cards on this deck, LoLz. :) enjoy
blue_fusion
21-05-2003, 18:33
oh, and by the way, its also become increasingly difficult to clean them, as the notebook paper (!) i've been using recently somehow has darker lines, so the lines still remain when i try to change the drawings' contrast etc. grrrr. me and my preference for notebook paper. LOLz
blue_fusion
05-07-2003, 08:29
after a long time, i have free time again to work on my decks. i've recoloured the tower card, as i was dissatisfied with the previous colouring. :) here it is:
:D
blue_fusion
05-07-2003, 08:34
here's also the strength card :)
faunabay
05-07-2003, 19:10
blue fusion,
Please keep working on this deck!! I love it!!! It's very beautiful but also looks very workable too!!
I'd buy it in a second!!! :)
blue_fusion
06-07-2003, 03:08
thanks faunabay! :) here's the world card. methinks i'm on a roll! :) *sigh* after all the bad things that're recently happening to me, i'm finding that arts' a very good medium to release my tensions and frustrations.
Major Tom
06-07-2003, 03:18
I'm glad to see you working on this deck. :)
I really like it too. :)
Wildchild
07-07-2003, 00:19
Your cards are beautiful! I love the Strength card. Don't know if you already know this but Strength doesn't appear on your website with the other majors.
blue_fusion
18-07-2003, 08:55
i haven't updated the site for ages. i'm planning some major revamps on it. meanwhile, the Masque's Majors are almost through. the remaining cards just need coloring. meanwhile, here's the chariot card:
blue_fusion
13-09-2007, 14:50
just changed the splash page. planning on revamping everything - after i finish the stuff for the exhibit (scrapped all the previous works i did on the Masque Tarot because i found that, after years, my style's changed a lot, and i couldn't anymore connect with the older works)... actually, i've done studies and some line art for the newer version but havent coloured them as i've been busy with things. plus i don't think digital colouring will work for this deck (AS IT TAKES UP TOO MUCH TIME! lol) so i'll probly end up using either ink pencils (yes, they actually exist nowadays) or something else.
anyway, just a teaser: http://www.geocities.com/blue_fusion20/
Chronata
14-09-2007, 18:10
new?....NEW?
Ah! You are killing me!
:D
Well...ok...I adored all the last Masque cards you did. I thought the stained galss designs were gorgeous and brilliant.
And now, seeing that you are in planning for something new...well, I am intrigued, because I am pretty sure I will love all those as well!
The World was great, much movement there.
blue_fusion
23-09-2007, 16:08
thanks for the support chronata and sar. :) i'm not sure exactly how to approach redoing it properly. i mean, the line art studies i've made so far have a similar look to the one i posted in the site's splash page. however, i'm fearing it might look too similar to the artistic style of the Revelations Tarot (though i prefer this new style to the previous one experimented with: that old one might have looked more stylistically unique, but in terms of technicals - drawing skills - i think the new one has better-proportioned figures). again, i'll try to post some new images after the exhibit (though i'm sorry in advance if they'll have glaring copyright notices, since, well, you can never be too careful these days).
Sidhe-Ra
23-09-2007, 16:16
Oh ho ho! I LIKE the cut of your jib, young man! Looking forward to this! :)
Em xx
blue_fusion
23-09-2007, 16:25
Oh ho ho! I LIKE the cut of your jib, young man! Looking forward to this! :)
Em xx
thanks much. i'm looking forward to that transparent tarot of yours too. :)
so i couldn't resist. i tried doing a mock-up of the card back digitally and uploaded it in DA (though the actual thing should be in coloured pencils): http://blue-fusion.deviantart.com/art/Masque-Back-65617034 :D
Sidhe-Ra
24-09-2007, 04:18
That is SERIOUSLY gorgeous! :)
x
6 Haunted Days
24-09-2007, 09:27
Those are some stunning, gorgeous cards! The style looks very similar to the Revelations Tarot (which I love).....are you publishing these?
blue_fusion
26-09-2007, 12:50
Those are some stunning, gorgeous cards! The style looks very similar to the Revelations Tarot (which I love).....are you publishing these?
Those are some stunning, gorgeous cards! The style looks very similar to the Revelations Tarot (which I love).....are you publishing these?
thanks.:) i won't be using the old images i posted here since they make me queasy (the ugh-ness of my figure drawing back then), so i'll be redrawing everything. yes, i was afraid of that Revelations Tarot comparison. though the older style i used looks admittedly less like the style of the revelations, i find my creations with it more amateurish, so i guess i'll just have to wait and see if this newer approach'll lead me to a style that doesn't look too much like the Revelations deck (which is a wonderful deck, but, like every artist, i hope to develop something different).
6 Haunted Days
26-09-2007, 14:27
To be honest (and I m usually pretty frank :)) I like the lines, images and feel of your work in this deck much better than the Revelations....after I posted that I was worried you might be insulted I compared the 2....but yours has much more of a visual compact.
I am really looking forward to seeing the new images :)
Chronata
26-09-2007, 15:01
I always thought they were better than the Revelations Tarots images.
But then...I saw these first! (and fell in love with them instantly!) :love:
blue_fusion
26-09-2007, 17:31
To be honest (and I m usually pretty frank :)) I like the lines, images and feel of your work in this deck much better than the Revelations....after I posted that I was worried you might be insulted I compared the 2....but yours has much more of a visual compact.
I am really looking forward to seeing the new images :)
oh no no no. i'm a fan of the revelations' art, so it's not an insult at all. (in fact, i was just wary of the comparison because it might highlight deficiencies in my artistic skills har har ) the style of the "newer" images would tend to lead towards the design in the latest link i posted, except, the newer ones will be coloured traditonally (as opposed to digitally).
thanks again 6 Haunted Days and Chronata. :)
blue_fusion
13-12-2007, 19:06
i've resolved to overhaul this after the Dusk. weirdly enough, with the studies, 2 distinctly different styles are simultaneously emerging. one has more realistic, or at least scenic images with everything split up into small cells (like this one: http://blue-fusion.deviantart.com/art/Masque-Back-65617034 - actually this is the planned back design), the second one has a more abstract, discorporated feel to it. the images attached show:
a. the high priestess (in the second style) with a hopefully vintage art nouveau look
b. strength (second style) with a "cofeeshop funk" feel.
c. high priestess (second style) plain black and white line art.
i'm seriously in a rut. while it would be good to develop both styles, that would take a while!
frelkins
13-12-2007, 21:24
These are really fantastic, Lyn. The Strength card reminds me less of a coffeeshop and more of the Max Brenner chocolate store in the Makati district, in Greenbelt 3, I think it is not far from the Ayala Museum. The colors to me seem very Filipino, very modern, urbane. The style is kinda art-nouvea-y but also a little more modern too. Can't wait til you get started on this project! :)
Chronata
13-12-2007, 21:30
hulglugglug,...
That would be the sound of me drooling all over my keyboard...
OMG! Lynard...these images are absolutely stunning!
Stunning...
I really love the art nouveau inspirations in them!
Of course I do!
All the little pieces...all the little lines, and forms and shapes, are just incredible...
but more than just the style...it's the MOOD that they invoke...richness, and warmth, with a hint of vintage Mucha posters, and Arts and Crafts style stained glass...and Northwest American totems...and... and...
Oh...if you decide to develop this style into a full deck...
what an amazing masterpiece you would have!
edited to add...oh...I really love the Masque card back as well! I think because it reminds me so much of the original designs you had for this deck (which I still adore, by the way...)
I don't think the two styles are really that disimilar...in fact they blend together so nicely.
I think because they both make feel the same way.
blue_fusion
14-12-2007, 05:26
These are really fantastic, Lyn. The Strength card reminds me less of a coffeeshop and more of the Max Brenner chocolate store in the Makati district, in Greenbelt 3, I think it is not far from the Ayala Museum. The colors to me seem very Filipino, very modern, urbane. The style is kinda art-nouvea-y but also a little more modern too. Can't wait til you get started on this project! :)
hey you! you din't tell me you were from the philippines! :D yeah i wanted coffee/chocolate colours for strength, and thankfully it shows. actually i dunno what to make of it in terms of artistic style, as it started with art nouveau but discorporated into a whole different look.
hulglugglug,...
That would be the sound of me drooling all over my keyboard...
OMG! Lynard...these images are absolutely stunning!
Stunning...
I really love the art nouveau inspirations in them!
Of course I do!
All the little pieces...all the little lines, and forms and shapes, are just incredible...
but more than just the style...it's the MOOD that they invoke...richness, and warmth, with a hint of vintage Mucha posters, and Arts and Crafts style stained glass...and Northwest American totems...and... and...
Oh...if you decide to develop this style into a full deck...
what an amazing masterpiece you would have!
edited to add...oh...I really love the Masque card back as well! I think because it reminds me so much of the original designs you had for this deck (which I still adore, by the way...)
I don't think the two styles are really that disimilar...in fact they blend together so nicely.
I think because they both make feel the same way.
thank you so much. to hear that from a very inspired artist's extremely flattering. :) (actually, just wanted to share: your Minute exercise inspired me recently, and it was a wonderful experience. though i don't think i can work as fast as you do with colours, so i opted for just BnW) you got the inspiration correctly. the Arts and Crafts movement, especially with the priestess, though the other cards i think have evolved a style of their own. frankly, my worry's that the look would be too abstract to be appealing to people... but i'm really glad you like how it turned out. hopefully i can work with the two styles simultaneously, though that would mean extremely calloused hands. lol
truelighth
14-12-2007, 13:24
I love the new artwork as well. Does this mean you are going to work on the Masque Tarot again? That would be great. So far, I like all your decks and I would definately like to see this one to completion.
yaraluna
15-12-2007, 13:16
just read the first page of this thread. I like the deck so far.
do you have a WacomPen? is the best thing since ...hmmmm well since chocolate
:)
yara
blue_fusion
16-12-2007, 00:52
I love the new artwork as well. Does this mean you are going to work on the Masque Tarot again? That would be great. So far, I like all your decks and I would definately like to see this one to completion.
thank you so much. yes, originally this was intended as a full 78-card deck (i think i even attempted adding an extra court card per suit before but scrapped the idea). i'm just hoping there'd still be a publisher interested as it's gonna be real expensive self-publishing it (78 cards per deck!).
just read the first page of this thread. I like the deck so far.
do you have a WacomPen? is the best thing since ...hmmmm well since chocolate
:)
yara
ah. well, actually, i've scrapped the pre-2007 designs for the deck as i couldn't anymore connect with the art style i used. 2 distinct styles are emerging from the studies i've been doing on the deck. as with wacom, i've tried it. takes a bit to get used to it. plus every time i use it, there's this nagging thought that i might break it, cuz i'm heavy-handed. but, i guess i'll have to get used to it, and keep up with the times.
anyway, here's the hermit card done in the "second" style. i figured i'd finish all the symmetrically-possible cards first, as it'd be less-demanding line art-wise, since i'd only have to do half the design. i dunno if i'll be sticking with the vintage colours, though. they seem appealing but somehow just a bit low in terms of energy.
i'm thinking i'd include some fixed shapes and images per card (here, for example, there's the six-pointed star, the actual face and hands of the hermit, and the lantern - which should look like an hourglass too), and just discorporate everything into broken panels and patterns. so that in a certain subliminal way, people would be encouraged to look out for other shapes forming in the chaos of shards and colours - which relate them to the reading. in that light, perhaps this deck will draw out more intuition from the reader.
blue_fusion
16-12-2007, 10:13
a sketch of the high priestess in the "older" style. not fully coloured, but you can see how different it is from the second style.
These are very nice images, well done.
You should consider printing them out on transparent acetate and use them as window decorations. I've done that with some of mine for personal use in my home, but your images would be even more appropriate. The effect can be quite stunning with the sunlight coming through. You could offer your prints for sale ????
Chronata
19-12-2007, 12:45
cirom has a great idea! I have used window cling film that fits in the printer to make clear prints as well! (then you can just stick themm up on any glass surface!)
The Hermit is so wonderful! I love all the shapes that emerge. I could look at these card samples for hours...this would be a perfect meditation deck.
Love the original style HP too...with all the tiny little "bits"
blue_fusion
20-12-2007, 08:14
These are very nice images, well done.
You should consider printing them out on transparent acetate and use them as window decorations. I've done that with some of mine for personal use in my home, but your images would be even more appropriate. The effect can be quite stunning with the sunlight coming through. You could offer your prints for sale ????
ohnoes! now i'm embarrassed that you saw the older images in this thread! thanks for the suggestion, though. actually the vector question i asked you is for this project. i haven't tried the acetate thing yet. i'm hoping there's printing service that does acetate-like material, only bigger than what's normally offered. i'd love to sell prints, but i have no idea how i could send them safely (from the philippines) to buyers :(
cirom has a great idea! I have used window cling film that fits in the printer to make clear prints as well! (then you can just stick themm up on any glass surface!)
The Hermit is so wonderful! I love all the shapes that emerge. I could look at these card samples for hours...this would be a perfect meditation deck.
Love the original style HP too...with all the tiny little "bits"
thanks again. yes, actually the meditation angle's what i had in mind, especially for the more abstract second style. now... when are you going to get those masquerade minors finished! there are a lot of us waiting for a full-deck! :D
SaintOfScreams
22-12-2007, 12:07
I admire what I've seen greatly- I have always had a fascination about the many- faceted world of the Harlequinn.