lalalibra
I actually think that Shadowscapes and Crystal Visions are very, very different from one another. Crystal Visions has simpler imagery. Shadowscapes is more detailed. And while you didn't mention it, another deck you might want to look at as well that I'd also consider to be in that general style would be the Paulina Tarot (it's also an awesome deck, very RWS, and to me, reminiscent of the the dense symbolism found in Shadowscapes).
A common complaint with Crystal Visions is that it's "too simple" and that the images "all look the same" but I think that with a knowledge of RWS, as well as being able to notice the nuances in the imagery (you'll most likely be able to tell if you can just by looking at the images online), the deck is actually very readable. While it doesn't have a lot of symbolism, I personally find meaning in the symbolism that is there - the animals, the ways in which the environment and the colors/sky connect between the cards, etc. I've read some people say it's 'only good if you like looking at elemental dignities' and such (again because some people don't feel inspired otherwise) - but I hardly ever do that; the deck primarily speaks to me in other ways..... On the other hand, many complain that Shadowscapes has "too much" symbolism and that it doesn't speak to them either. Me, I've never had that issue, I happen to *like* decks that are like that (like the Paulina which I mentioned above). And I wrote about this in regard to Shadowscapes a bit here too: http://www.tarotforum.net/showpost.php?p=3807302&postcount=11
As for who is a "better" artist, I think the quality/work that Stephanie Pui-Mun Law put into Shadowscapes is technically superior. The art is just gorgeous, inspiring, and has a very lovely, fantastical mood. To be honest, there have been a few times with Crystal Visions where I've had to do a double take (two examples: The Empress standing with one foot sneaking out from under her dress and into the water - I'm not sure if it looks natural! And the woman's legs in the Seven of Pentacles has also looked kind of "off" to me before, the way the dress drapes off somehow didn't look right to me.). And yet Crystal Visions still appeals to me because of it's own mood - the colors and the style has a certain charm that reminds me of my youth (I've never said this to anyone before but it actually reminds me vaguely of Barbie!! lol I hope my saying that didn't ruin it for you!). Crystal Visions was also partly inspired by Stevie Nicks and I happen to enjoy her music ("Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite songs) and the deck had totally reminded me of it before I even knew that. Anyway, I don't mean to insult Jennifer Galasso's abilities. I appreciate what's she's done and she's done a great job all the same. I think her art is cute and I love the feel of it. The mood is great! I especially love the colors she chooses. But she said she had very little experience drawing men before creating this deck, for example... I just think Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's artwork evidently shows more skill/experience.
While I didn't particularly like the little white book that came with Crystal Visions, the artist sells a larger book on her website if you'd be interested in that (but I don't have it so I can't comment on it). Why I didn't like the CV LWB - too simplistic and narrow at times, but it's not all bad, and just like with anything: pick up what resonates and leave behind the rest. The book that comes with Shadowscapes Tarot, however, is wonderful and very poetic (and I also mentioned more on how I feel about it in the link I included above), and in my opinion, definitely very good for learning. And I think you'd get wayyyyyy more out of the Shadowscapes book than the Crystal Visions LWB.
And finally, which deck do I prefer? Which deck do I use most often? Shadowscapes. If I were to hypothetically have lost both of these decks, I'd be quick to repurchase Shadowscapes over Crystal Visions. And if you care to hear about cardstock, then I prefer Shadowscapes too because it has a matte, more cardboard-like finish (while CV is thicker, but super laminated and more glossy/plastic-feeling). Shadowscapes is also slightly smaller and easier to shuffle, and I think it's nicer to hold. I also don't like the white borders on Crystal Visions (it doesn't look good next to the deep colors in the images), but the silver borders on Shadowscapes are lovely. And all in all, I think Shadowscapes has more depth and I've never gotten bored with it, while there have been really long periods of time where I haven't touched Crystal Visions.
