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Quite a change from Natalia's other decks. Have to suggest a pdf file so we know who the Kings and Queens are.

I really like this deck. The rich colors and realistic courts are very nice. I suggested to her maybe she could do prints with the courts and their information. Similar to what she has on the campaign page.

I like 'em. There's a distinctly Russian lacquer box feel to the design; the illustrations have a very classical style. I'm in for a few.

Beautiful art on the courts, I would prefer a white version black decks aren't so much my taste as when viewed from the side the white stick showing through doesn't look good to me. Although going at it with a sharpie is a crude work around.

Still on the fence for this one.

I talked to her about printing on black stock and she is planning on it. Mainly depends on USPCC.

JuFiN wrote:Beautiful art on the courts, I would prefer a white version black decks aren't so much my taste as when viewed from the side the white stick showing through doesn't look good to me. Although going at it with a sharpie is a crude work around.

Still on the fence for this one.

Exactly the same for me. I would prefer a white deck. This one is very playable and I like the artwork. In for one deck. Would have bought more if it were white.

Cbkimble wrote:I really like this deck. The rich colors and realistic courts are very nice. I suggested to her maybe she could do prints with the courts and their information. Similar to what she has on the campaign page.

We're talking about doing exactly that. Prints with the detailed information.

TGunitedcardists wrote:

JuFiN wrote:Beautiful art on the courts, I would prefer a white version black decks aren't so much my taste as when viewed from the side the white stick showing through doesn't look good to me. Although going at it with a sharpie is a crude work around.

Still on the fence for this one.

Exactly the same for me. I would prefer a white deck. This one is very playable and I like the artwork. In for one deck. Would have bought more if it were white.

x3

Still, I also will be pledging for a single deck. I've always loved her semi-transformation decks and this new direction with this theme and art on this are enough to get past the black background.

I have to say, I've always liked Natalia's style, but when I saw these I didn't even realize it was her work, I was honestly surprised at the her artistic talent, stunning.

Looking at the artwork a little more, I hope the King of Diamonds gets a little more love in the art department.

It currently looks like he has a potato for a body and doesn't really fit in compared to the other courts that are shown. I can't unsee the potato now.

You see potato, I see moonscape. But I like it. Nice deck and the baby king jokers are excellent.

Edward was The Black Prince.
He would have worn only the best Black Potato Cuirass.
These cards are just simply grand, yes ?
I think white would be not so hot.

Bruno wrote:Edward was The Black Prince.
He would have worn only the best Black Potato Cuirass.
These cards are just simply grand, yes ?
I think white would be not so hot.

Actually he was the father of the Black Prince. The Black Prince died before his father and never became king.

Olethros wrote:

Bruno wrote:Edward was The Black Prince.
He would have worn only the best Black Potato Cuirass.
These cards are just simply grand, yes ?
I think white would be not so hot.

Actually he was the father of the Black Prince. The Black Prince died before his father and never became king.

Close !
I was using him to both reference and be irreverent ....
Trying to get round a potato.
Beaut cards eh ?

Bruno wrote:

Olethros wrote:

Bruno wrote:Edward was The Black Prince.
He would have worn only the best Black Potato Cuirass.
These cards are just simply grand, yes ?
I think white would be not so hot.

Actually he was the father of the Black Prince. The Black Prince died before his father and never became king.

Close !
I was using him to both reference and be irreverent ....
Trying to get round a potato.
Beaut cards eh ?

Since you asked, my main about objection about this deck is that although beautiful the art of the court cards is not original art of the artist of the deck. They are contemporary portraits of the rulers. Search the wikipedia section of the individual rulers and you will find the originals. Example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_II ... om_NPG.jpg. Might as well have been high quality photos of the original paintings printed on the cards.

And this is not a surprise to me.
Rather, Sparks above alluded to it.
I will maintain that the cards still present, and will still make a fine deck ....
The creator does say ' portrait paintings' quite openly.

The creator never claims she created the artwork, but she also doesn't really explicitly cite a source for it... Misleading? maybe.

Doesn't effect the end product of course but some backers might feel a little sour with this information.

JuFiN wrote:The creator never claims she created the artwork, but she also doesn't really explicitly cite a source for it... Misleading? maybe.

Doesn't effect the end product of course but some backers might feel a little sour with this information.

I'd much rather have honesty about it than what we usually see: no comment (or flat out denial). Most artists are proud of their original artwork, but some just trace off the monitor or drawing tablet (old school definition).

Natalia is far from that! I really like her work and especially appreciate the recent very marked improvement overall. I knew that she could do better when we worked on her Russian very limited edition over a year ago, and now she has - without a doubt in my mind. Like it's been noted, I love the old style black lacquer effect of the tuck and cards.

Hey Everyone!

Thank you so much for your comments!

So, as I mentioned in my campaign: "Each court card is based on the original royal portrait of XIV - XVI century". So, here is no secret what they are!

I have a whole series of royal portraits that I painted for one of my clients (private collector) in Los Angeles and this deck is also based on the royal portraits of XIV - XVI century (real kings and queens). I purposely tried to create an artwork as close as possible to the original paintings (to make them realistic and historically accurate).

Thank you!
Natalia