Curly Fern

©Sam Nagel

I kept this one pretty easy. I actually enjoyed painting the background, trying to create soft blur focus in some areas along with some texture. I had sketched the fern leaves in my sketchbook and scanned it. The line is my original sketchbook drawing, the rest is painted digitally in photoshop. I really wanted to use the imagery of the curly fern for a while, and use the concept of a yin yang, but without it being the yin yang symbol. I took some artistic liberty with the curl of the fern transforming into a full fern leaf... it probably doesn't actually look that way in nature (nor is it blue). I also needed to create something with the cool colors rather than so much warmth.

Portal

©Sam Nagel

I'm getting toward the end of the cards. Even though I did them in random order I still have more that are at the end of the deck, and my visual interpretation keeps getting more trippy. (or it could just be the electronic music I'm listening to) I chose to represent evolution of the soul and a general higher awareness with a Japanese torri and shrine. The purpose of the torri is to separate the mundane and profane from the sacred, it cleanses and purifies as one passes through them.

See the meaning of this card and others at: Intimacy Without Responsibility -The Conscious Evolution of Love  facebook page

Orchid Flower

©Sam Nagel

It turned out kind of psychedelic. I had a crappy painting that I started for this card, but turned it into the background... If you look carefully you can see a man's profile and ribbon-like brain matter... haha. Now onto the next card... 6 more to go!!!

See the meaning of this card and others at: Intimacy Without Responsibility -The Conscious Evolution of Love  facebook page

Bird's Nest

©Sam Nagel

from to pencil drawing to digital painting. The line is my original pencil line, + photoshop for color.

See the meaning of this card and others at: Intimacy Without Responsibility -The Conscious Evolution of Love  facebook page

Drawing Time

Reminding myself I can still draw with a real pencil. I've been doing too much digital work and felt like I was loosing my touch. I left my sketch lines in these, didn't do any cleaning up this time. I also have been using some old watercolor pencils that I've let go unused for years... it also makes me be more confident in my mark making since there is no erasing with them.

watercolor pencils in sketchbook

©Sam Nagel