Olympus Playing Cards *COMING SOON* TO KS

[MagikFingerz]

Welcome, Scott!

You've obviously done your research, and the art looks great. There's a bit too much gold for my taste though (purely subjective, of course). What color scheme will the faces use?

I also agree that the semi-circle looks slightly out of place, the difference in color makes it look like a lens is covering the back design.

[Levereno]

Welcome, Scott!

You've obviously done your research, and the art looks great. There's a bit too much gold for my taste though (purely subjective, of course). What color scheme will the faces use?

I also agree that the semi-circle looks slightly out of place, the difference in color makes it look like a lens is covering the back design.

Yes, the symbols on the card back are purely greek, even the tiniest insertions have stories and represents a Greek mytho. Thanks for the input. The court cards are laid down on a blood red background with courts being golden, but minimalist.

Yes, we're working on that now, which semi circle are you referring to? The one in the middle or the one at the top?

Thanks,

[MagikFingerz]

Yes, we're working on that now, which semi circle are you referring to? The one in the middle or the one at the top?

The one(s) crossing the column(s) on the sides.

[Levereno]

Yes, we're working on that now, which semi circle are you referring to? The one in the middle or the one at the top?

The one(s) crossing the column(s) on the sides.

What would you recommend? modify it or completely get rid of it?

[Mike Ratledge]

Yes, we're working on that now, which semi circle are you referring to? The one in the middle or the one at the top?

The one(s) crossing the column(s) on the sides.

What would you recommend? modify it or completely get rid of it?

Just knowing what we expect to here - especially from Tom is that the margins are a bit wide, and so thinner borders would go a long way to making it look better. I don't think this deck works well with a borderless or "full bleed" type back design. It's just too ornate to fit into that category, and frankly with that minor adjustment I already like what I'm seeing a lot, without even really seeing much of the faces themselves. If you're using a USPCC-provided "poker die" layout, they're _very_ conservative about what's 'outside' the standard print area. You can easily push that a good bit, perhaps even about 1/8th of an inch on all sides, I'm thinking? I know several decks that push it right out to the edge, and in fact using the "Full Bleed" backs means there is no border in them at all - they "blend" together across the uncut sheet as a repeating pattern over and over. Good example of those is the old Bee "Diamond Back" used in a lot of the casino decks.

At this point, it was news to me reading the latest USPCC product branding guide that they no longer sell any Bee decks except from the casino side - nor Artistocrat branded decks or paper, and haven't sold anything on the 'custom' side of the plant in a couple of years, now. No decks, no paper stock either. Bee paper _is_ still available as a 'step up' to their standard paper stock, and even it was upgraded recently with a new "bicycle" paper stock that has more stiffness and 'snap'. I think all three of the companies that together do 99% of the US market (USPCC, Expert and MPC) have upgraded their paper stock recently - at least within the past six months or so. The most noticeable upgrade is for MPC, and that's actually quite a lot different from what they used to sell. Their new 310gsm 'linen' finish paper is almost what you would expect in quality and handling from USPCC, to be honest. I just got a new deck today from MPC, and it handles like a dream (no, I won't say "butter" again, because we don't want greasy fingers).

[Levereno]

Yes, we're working on that now, which semi circle are you referring to? The one in the middle or the one at the top?

The one(s) crossing the column(s) on the sides.

What would you recommend? modify it or completely get rid of it?

Just knowing what we expect to here - especially from Tom is that the margins are a bit wide, and so thinner borders would go a long way to making it look better. I don't think this deck works well with a borderless or "full bleed" type back design. It's just too ornate to fit into that category, and frankly with that minor adjustment I already like what I'm seeing a lot, without even really seeing much of the faces themselves. If you're using a USPCC-provided "poker die" layout, they're _very_ conservative about what's 'outside' the standard print area. You can easily push that a good bit, perhaps even about 1/8th of an inch on all sides, I'm thinking? I know several decks that push it right out to the edge, and in fact using the "Full Bleed" backs means there is no border in them at all - they "blend" together across the uncut sheet as a repeating pattern over and over. Good example of those is the old Bee "Diamond Back" used in a lot of the casino decks.

At this point, it was news to me reading the latest USPCC product branding guide that they no longer sell any Bee decks except from the casino side - nor Artistocrat branded decks or paper, and haven't sold anything on the 'custom' side of the plant in a couple of years, now. No decks, no paper stock either. Bee paper _is_ still available as a 'step up' to their standard paper stock, and even it was upgraded recently with a new "bicycle" paper stock that has more stiffness and 'snap'. I think all three of the companies that together do 99% of the US market (USPCC, Expert and MPC) have upgraded their paper stock recently - at least within the past six months or so. The most noticeable upgrade is for MPC, and that's actually quite a lot different from what they used to sell. Their new 310gsm 'linen' finish paper is almost what you would expect in quality and handling from USPCC, to be honest. I just got a new deck today from MPC, and it handles like a dream (no, I won't say "butter" again, because we don't want greasy fingers).

I was initially debating regarding the thinner borders, and now, taken the feedback they do seem to take a bit of space and toning them down would certainly help the card pop out and giddy it up further. Since this card is too gaudy, I would have to agree with you that having no border on this particular nature would look awfully unaesthetic. I appreciate it that you like what you see already and I’ll have you informed that courts are almost reaching their conclusion, which are influenced by the original depiction of Greek deities.

The Courts show more of a “refined” version of depictions and portrayals the ancient Greeks illustrated themselves regarding their deities. All courts designs, of gods and goddesses will have exactly what the ancient Greeks depicted the gods to be like, with a slight modification and pattern to fit in the playing card arena.

Here’s a rough sketch of Athena (the queen of diamonds), with a Spartan helmet, a spearhead and an armored attire to represent war and battle since she is, of course, the goddess of war and wisdom.

After the courts are completed they will be textured gold on a red blood background with custom pip layouts each having their own symbols of Greek mythology with references to the residents of mount Olympus.

This is a very early rough sketch to give you a visual idea about the courts (missing quiet a lot).



Inspired by Leonard Porter Achilles and Pentheselia on the Plain of Troy, with Athena, Aphrodite and Eros.





Regarding the USPCC phenomenon, I was not aware of their multiple changes in stock paper and quality. That’s a shock, perhaps they’re having some production hammering to further stick with the Bees? Not sure if it’s the low demand or simply costly expenses. But that’s quiet weird IMO. MPC’s new 310gsm does seem worth giddying up for. Thrilled to hear about their sudden upgrade in paper stock. Since you brought it up, I’ll order some MPC printed decks to check this out upgrade myself. What was the name of the MPC deck that you bought recently? Care to let me know so I can buy a couple?

[Levereno]

hey everyone,

here's a rough draft of the court cards and the numbers.

this needs a lot of work, so please disregard some choppy details as we're fixing that and will fill it up with some extra details.

but here's the question. Do these look good? Would you buy them? Please and also give me some feedback if I'm going on the right direction. Thanks.

Please avoid the K on Athena. Will fix that later.

Maybe I should post this on the drafting board.

nd would be nice if you let me decide which card back looks better.

[Cbkimble]

The court is nice although a little transparent. lol. IMO, the pips should be spread out a little more, but that's my preference. I prefer the back under the king.

[Levereno]

The court is nice although a little transparent. lol. IMO, the pips should be spread out a little more, but that's my preference. I prefer the back under the king.

thanks mate. decided to keep the numbers little transparent while popping them out just a little bit so that they can look rather simplistic or minimalist. i will consider spreading out the pips, thanks.

[sprouts1115]

@Levereno - I like what I see. If your courts don't have borders why should your back of card. If I had to pick, I pick your second one and try to extent this as far as I could to the top left. Mike is right. No man land is about an ⅛ of an inch. Do you like that the column is split in two? MagikFinger has mentioned it.

[ecNate]

purely preference perhaps, but I was really excited when I saw the draft drawings and disappointing when I saw the colored mockups. I think you are losing a lot of detail with the red background on the face of the cards. The back works, but the face is just too dark and not enough contrast. I liked your black on white and the gold on black in your inspiration, but the color choices just don't work for me. The red on red is even worse.

I'm not overly fond of red back cards, even black ones are tough to make work in my mind. So perhaps it's my bias, but I would carefully consider other combinations or at least lighten up the background.

I just can't get past that to even evaluate any further. The only other thing that pops out is the checkerboard pattern on the edges next to the columns. Why? Not clear what purpose that serves, but it's a bit distracting and doesn't fit the feel of the rest of the back.

I do love the theme though and the artwork overall is nice, but you're not giving it the presentation that allows it to 'shine'.

[volantangel]

I moved the topic as this is still clearly a work in progress.

And i agree with nate that the faces are far too dark for any of the details to be seen.

[Levereno]

purely preference perhaps, but I was really excited when I saw the draft drawings and disappointing when I saw the colored mockups. I think you are losing a lot of detail with the red background on the face of the cards. The back works, but the face is just too dark and not enough contrast. I liked your black on white and the gold on black in your inspiration, but the color choices just don't work for me. The red on red is even worse.

I'm not overly fond of red back cards, even black ones are tough to make work in my mind. So perhaps it's my bias, but I would carefully consider other combinations or at least lighten up the background.

I just can't get past that to even evaluate any further. The only other thing that pops out is the checkerboard pattern on the edges next to the columns. Why? Not clear what purpose that serves, but it's a bit distracting and doesn't fit the feel of the rest of the back.

I do love the theme though and the artwork overall is nice, but you're not giving it the presentation that allows it to 'shine'.

That's exactly what I would like to hear! Thanks for the great feedback. I appreciate it. I agree with you. What color choices do you think I should be working with? Should I make the red darker or lighter? Or simply take it out? What are your suggestions towards the pips? the number cards? Should I give them a different color? Different design maybe, what would you prefer? This was just a really rough draft and it is not the final piece however I just need some advice if I was going on the right direction and any feedback helps. You said the red on red looks worse, I kinda agree, how should I be changing that?

I'll sort out the back design later though, but I need to choose the right colors for the pip and number cards. If You don't like the red background on the pips what other color should I put, maybe give it a different texture? add borders? Please help me decide which will look better. Thanks.

I need to confirm the draft in order to begin adding details to the pips since these are just rough drafts.

[Levereno]

@Levereno - I like what I see. If your courts don't have borders why should your back if card. If I had to pick, I pick your second one and try to extent this as far as I could to the top left. Mike is right. No man land is about an ⅛ of an inch. Do you like that the column is split in two? MagikFinger has mentioned it. Do you like it?

Great point sprouts. I should really consider having a good turnaround but that was just a rough sketch not the final piece AT ALL. The courts still need a great deal of detail. And overall it needs to be fixed.

I will update everyone shortly with the final design piece. Stay tuned!

[Levereno]

Here's a very early choppy unfinished Ace of spades medusa.

Thoughts?

haven't updated in a long time. but courts are almost finished now. just a couple of days left until launch.

[Eoghann]

I like your style. And I really like that Medusa ace! It's seriously badass.

But I have to be honest that I really don't like the shiny effect you have on the cards. Also, even though I really like the ace, the style doesn't seem connected with the rest of the deck.

[sprouts1115]

@Leverano - You might want to put some more black in your center and top in your AoS. It needs a bit more black. My brain is thinking 51% for the space on the AoS, but you can probably get away with less. What percentage of black do you have on your AoS or Medusa? Sorry, it's 2/32 border all round the card for the USPCC.

[montecarlojoe]

Not sure about needing more black - but sproutmeister is righ that it needs something to accentuate the point of the spade - the snakes are rounding out the top and it in danger of looking like a club.

Fab artwork though.

[ecNate]

I almost forgot about this, glad to see an update!

[Levereno]

I like your style. And I really like that Medusa ace! It's seriously badass.

But I have to be honest that I really don't like the shiny effect you have on the cards. Also, even though I really like the ace, the style doesn't seem connected with the rest of the deck.

Thanks. it's not done though. it needs a little bit of more details and should be done. And yes, i'll take out that shiny effect.

the style doesn't seem connected is because we need to bring it on a red background and make it golden. it will look more connected after that. but I'm still thinking if i should do that or not. Maybe keep the cards white? like the ritual deck? with a red card back of course.

the design or color references in the deck are inspired by the muertos deck. I wanted to do something similar but with a red blood theme of ancient greece.

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@sprouts, i was debating on that. Keeping more black will bring out the design. shoving more and more details just looks ridiculous. the ace has less than 24% black. maybe I should put more solid black to bring out the design. it will look minimal and simplistic after that. Great idea.

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@montecarlojoe, eh, it's because it's not done. it kinda looks like a clubs though after its done it will look crispier because I will outline it like an ace with pointed top.

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@ecNate, thanks, hope you like it.

[Levereno]

Here are the rough sketches of courts.

Jack (Ares, God of War). Jack (Hermes, messenger), & King (Hades, God of the Underworld). with ace.

again far from done. detailing will make everything look better. just a rough sketches that i wanted to show.

[Levereno]

UPDATE:

Here they are - http://s28.postimg.orgg/3n7bjan9oo/Unti ... 444466.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Levereno]

Red on golden, So for example - http://s2.postimg.org/6ltf00u08/Untitle ... 4444444466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sprouts1115]

@levereno - Oh yea. Any card that shows a nipple I like it.