Digital Tarot

Here is the end result of not sleeping for over 24 hours! Here is final project for electronic illustration class. The assignment was to choose three cards - two from the Major Arcana, one from the minor arcana, and an optional card back design.

For the Moon, I chose to go with the representation of dreaming, intuition, reflection, and imagination. I did a bit of research on the cards ahead of time, and this was one of the most common interpretations I found. Owls (especially barn owls) are birds I associate with the moon, and also with many of the feelings that go with the spirit of the night and dreaming. Her sleeve seems to be an entrance to another world - one of night.

For Strength, I went with the common image of a woman closing (in some instances opening) the mouth of a lion. It many cases Strength represents the ability to overcome something stronger than yourself without the use of brute force. The lily pads are also very subtle representation of strength, since the pads in this painting are able to hold up both the weight of the lion and the woman. In nature, they are also able to hold up the weight of small animals, such as frogs.

The Eight of Swords is perhaps one of the cards that is more in-depth with its symbolism. Traditionally the figure is seen blindfolded and bound. In some depictions, she is bound loosely, symbolizing binds that are easy to escape, but often the person is so weighed down by despair, by doubt and hopelessness that sometimes they don't even try. In some descriptions it mentioned water or ice. I wanted this card to show stress and pain, and for the colors to be bleak and give a sense of cold.

The back of the cards are just a simple design I made. The reason for the bird should be obvious as a personal symbol.

I created The Moon and Strength exclusively with Corel Painter X, and most of the Eight of Swords in Painter with some minor touches in Photoshop. It was the first time I have ever used Painter, literally. My first experience with Painter was when I opened it to start on the first card. I must say it was quite the learning experience.

Again, I'm still doing traditional art! This assignment was for a digital art class, thus why I did it with Painter.

Each card is 6X9 inches. To see details, click here: [link]