Following on from Nine Lives Playing Cards – I’ve made a start on a new deck of cards, which I’m hoping to share with you as it evolves …  At this stage, the deck doesn’t have a name or a release date – though as things progress, both will hopefully become clear. A design all about faces and colour, where my aim is to create a fully custom, playable and surreally happy deck of cards.

The Inspiration comes from …

I am fascinated by faces and love drawing and painting them in all shapes and forms. From detailed drawings to expressive paintings and colourful designs, faces have appeared in my work for decades… even finding their way on to pots… I worked in clay for over 15 years (wheel-work, painting, glazing & lots of firing…)  and the pieces that still remain get used at home every day… For a while this whimsical range of teapots, mugs and bowls has been inspiring me to pick up my pens and get to work …

Teapot, mugs and a bowl from 'Faces' range
Teapot, mugs and a bowl from ‘Faces’ range
Stoneware mugs and bowl with bright colourful faces
Stoneware mugs and bowl with bright colourful faces

Playing Card Design … Starting with the Courts

The ink drawings below are in part inspired by their old three-dimensional friends – and the starting point for new and colourful characters to emerge. Lines translate a multitude of shapes to bring out the essence of each individual face.

Pen & ink drawings - The Royal suit of Hearts
Pen & ink drawings – The Royal suit of Hearts

I find that ink on paper gives me freedom to translate the ideas in my head into something real and tangible. Once the drawings are finished and scanned, I continue working on them – making adjustments for symmetrical two-way artwork, painting the colours and adding indices.

A Game of Royal Colour …

The suit of hearts is starting to take form in the world of colour, design and indices. The courts feature a royal banner in the background reflecting the colour of the suit – where hearts are draped with red:

Preview: in colour Queen of Hearts
Preview: in colour Queen of Hearts
Preview: in colour Jack of Hearts
Preview: in colour Jack of Hearts
Preview: in colour King of Hearts
Preview: in colour King of Hearts

With the royal hearts on the move it’s time to visit the clubs.  As always, I welcome your thoughts and hope you enjoy the ride of following this new deck of cards!

Annette :)

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Johan Derycke

    Wow those cups and teapot are really beautiful, Annette. And I think you’re off to a good start with the new deck! I really like the vignetting a lot.

    1. Annette

      Thanks Johan :) If you were around the corner I’d have you over for a cup of tea! It truly does feel exciting to be embarking on a new project and your encouragement means a lot :)

  2. Diane

    They are so happy… I’m sure that the deck will be a great success.

    1. Annette

      Thank you Diane :) – I like happy … and am ever so glad for your support :)

  3. Andris Abolins

    Häftigt!
    En intressant idé.
    Jag tycker om idén med bara ansikten vilket gör att
    designen hamnar i det Tjugoförsta århundradet.

    1. Annette

      Tack! Vad glad jag blir :)

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