SAWDUST - Coming to Kickstarter Sept. 4

[Don Boyer]

I've started the Hearts suit:

The GIF animation of the 2 of Hearts: http://emmanueljose.com/post/47949543285/2013tigergif

Bro, that 2 of hearts animation is sick!  Good work.  If only the actual cards could do that!! 

[Soliloquy]

Thanks for sharing that animation, it was fascinating.  So now I have a whole bunch of questions about your process   How large are your images, and how on earth do you digitize them?  I imagine you must have access to a large format scanner.  Do the layers of paper cause artifacts you have to clean up digitally?

My sister (who also does some papercutting, though not on the same scale) would like to know what kind of paper you use.  Thanks!

[Emmanuel]

Bro, that 2 of hearts animation is sick!  Good work.  If only the actual cards could do that!! 

Thanks Don! I bet you in the not-so-far future there will be animated decks of cards, and they'll be full of Cthulhu-controlled zombies in steampunk attire

Thanks for sharing that animation, it was fascinating.  So now I have a whole bunch of questions about your process   How large are your images, and how on earth do you digitize them?  I imagine you must have access to a large format scanner.  Do the layers of paper cause artifacts you have to clean up digitally?

My sister (who also does some papercutting, though not on the same scale) would like to know what kind of paper you use.  Thanks!

You're welcome Soliloquy! The cards are 24 inches tall, a little over 17 inches wide. I use Canson Bristol paper for the white and Canford papers for the black and red.

I don't own a large-format scanner, so I have the cards scanned at a local imaging company. I don't know how much digital cleaning is required, but the images are extremely high in resolution since layered paper is so crisp.

[RandyButterfield]

Thanks for sharing that animation, it was fascinating.  So now I have a whole bunch of questions about your process   How large are your images, and how on earth do you digitize them?  I imagine you must have access to a large format scanner.  Do the layers of paper cause artifacts you have to clean up digitally?

My sister (who also does some papercutting, though not on the same scale) would like to know what kind of paper you use.  Thanks!

You're welcome Soliloquy! The cards are 24 inches tall, a little over 17 inches wide. I use Canson Bristol paper for the white and Canford papers for the black and red.

I don't own a large-format scanner, so I have the cards scanned at a local imaging company. I don't know how much digital cleaning is required, but the images are extremely high in resolution since layered paper is so crisp.
[/quote]

Since the originals are so large and are only printing at playing card size, digital artifacts probably aren't much of a problem for the imaging company. I always wondered what technique you used to get the cards digital. I always assumed you had a tripod setup to get a good overhead shot with a digital camera and edit it from there. I hope the I aging company isn't charging an arm-and-leg for the scans. They're definitely known for charging crazy amounts for large scan!

Thanks, Randy

[Emmanuel]

Since the originals are so large and are only printing at playing card size, digital artifacts probably aren't much of a problem for the imaging company. I always wondered what technique you used to get the cards digital. I always assumed you had a tripod setup to get a good overhead shot with a digital camera and edit it from there. I hope the I aging company isn't charging an arm-and-leg for the scans. They're definitely known for charging crazy amounts for large scan!

Thanks, Randy

I had considered digitizing from photographs, but it's extremely difficult to get the cards properly squared off and have uniform lighting. A photographer friend of mine referred me to the imaging company since he uses them all the time, and they do a pretty amazing job at very reasonable prices

[Emmanuel]

Happy Mother's Day

[Soliloquy]

Now that's a transformation deck!

[xela]

I'm sure you've answered this a hundred times but, how long does it usually take you to make a single card?

[Don Boyer]

I'm sure you've answered this a hundred times but, how long does it usually take you to make a single card?

I asked him that over breakfast when he visited New York.  For Curator, he was working at a pace of a card a week.  The experience he gained from that allowed him to speed the process up a bit.  He's probably taking between three and five days a card now, depending on complexity.

[Alex Willis]

Emmanuel, I really love what you did with those courts.  It's ingenious!  I've never seen another deck with that integration of design.

I believe you're going to have another hit on your hands.

Speaking of hits - when's Clipped Wings coming out?

I hate clowns, but I love the design of this deck.  I did have a similar idea for the integration of design on the courts, but I don't think I would have pulled it off like this one does.  Brilliant.  Makes me want to purchase an uncut sheet.  Maybe that's the point.  I still hate clowns though.

[Emmanuel]

Now that's a transformation deck!

Thank you!

I'm sure you've answered this a hundred times but, how long does it usually take you to make a single card?

I asked him that over breakfast when he visited New York.  For Curator, he was working at a pace of a card a week.  The experience he gained from that allowed him to speed the process up a bit.  He's probably taking between three and five days a card now, depending on complexity.

Yeah, it takes me 1 to 5 days. The illustrated man I just posted took about 4 days.

I hate clowns, but I love the design of this deck.  I did have a similar idea for the integration of design on the courts, but I don't think I would have pulled it off like this one does.  Brilliant.  Makes me want to purchase an uncut sheet.  Maybe that's the point.  I still hate clowns though.

Haha, thanks. I have several friends who are professional clowns and I have a deep respect for their craft. Clowns are the glue of the circus.

[Soliloquy]

I have several friends who are professional clowns and I have a deep respect for their craft.

Seconded.  If the only clowns you're familiar with are from It or the Simpsons, you're missing out on some awesome entertainers and people.

[Alex Willis]

I have several friends who are professional clowns and I have a deep respect for their craft.

Seconded.  If the only clowns you're familiar with are from It or the Simpsons, you're missing out on some awesome entertainers and people.

Unfortunately my dislike of clowns goes way back into the early 70s and visiting traveling circus'.  But I'm surprised no one ever brings up the clown doll in Poltergeist, that's the one that sealed the deal.   That being said, I watched a documentary on circus' and I understand a lot more than I ever did about circus performers and clowns and man thats a lot of hard work for very little money!! 

[RandyButterfield]

Awesome details Emmanuel!
I've been looking at Psyanky Eggs so much that it's the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the patterns on his arms and legs. The hidden Hearts at the armpits are really cool!

thanks, Randy

[Paul Carpenter]

I never get tired of looking at your artwork Emmanuel. Lovely stuff, you've gotten better in the last few years(if that's possible).

I still take a gander at the Curator high-res scans once in a while, seeing the little imperfections in there is fascinating and refreshingly "tactile" in a world of so much digitalness.

[Emmanuel]

Thank you Randy, Paul!

I've become a little more precise, but imperfections will always be present

[Don Boyer]

Thank you Randy, Paul!

I've become a little more precise, but imperfections will always be present

...which is what makes them so appealing!

[Emmanuel]

Here's the first half of Sawdust 



http://www.emmanueljose.com

[Don Boyer]

Looks great, Emmanuel!  I'm still awaiting the second deck in your series - not to mention your impending relocation!

[Alex Willis]

Brilliant!  Love the art, even if I hate circuses.

[10ofclubs]

The six of spades and seven of hearts are my favorite but they all look so fantastic.

I'm sorry, but is this his second or third deck? I know about the curator one, but I must have missed one...

[Emmanuel]

Looks great, Emmanuel!  I'm still awaiting the second deck in your series - not to mention your impending relocation!

Thanks Don! Clipped Wings will be here before you know it, and NYC is in sight

Brilliant!  Love the art, even if I hate circuses.

Thank you Alex, I'll take that as a compliment

The six of spades and seven of hearts are my favorite but they all look so fantastic.

I'm sorry, but is this his second or third deck? I know about the curator one, but I must have missed one...

Thank you 10ofClubs Sawdust is my third deck, Clipped Wings is my second deck.

[malcomteo]

Good artistic touch on the cards!

I would really like it to have a little design on the sides though but still it looks wonderful!

[Don Boyer]

It's been a while since anyone posted about this.  How are the cards, Emmanuel?  If I recall, you finished them in the fall of last year, right?

[Emmanuel]

It's been a while since anyone posted about this.  How are the cards, Emmanuel?  If I recall, you finished them in the fall of last year, right?

Hi Don, I finished the Sawdust deck on Dec. 31, 2013 with the completion of the back design (the week between Christmas and New Year's was insanely hectic, I almost thought the deck wouldn't be done). Here are the jokers and the back.