Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Here's the next design for my 'Oracle' card set, which is one of the projects I'm currently working on. I'm aiming to include all kinds of symbolic imagery among the designs. This one is intended to represent 'Earth'..

Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Always on the lookout for new ways to use my illustrations, I recently decided to see how some of my existing designs would look when printed as small cards, perhaps for use as a kind of oracle..
   I was really pleased with the print quality, and the glossy finish, and the cards seemed a nice size for handling and laying out in a spread..so I've now set about designing a specific oracle card range. I'm intending to include all kinds of symbolic imagery from different traditions and cultures, and make up different sets for sale in my Etsy shop.

New watercolour design for Oracle Card set.

  These pictures show the initial trial set, and my first specific design , featuring a tree with runes and the viking 'helm of awe' symbol.

This trial card set includes animals and runes taken from some of my existing designs

My cards are supplied with an organza bag, and feature my 'green Lady' design on the reverse..

'Wheel of the Year' Waterclour Design

My completed design..

I added the eqinoxes and sun and moon...

The wheel shows the symbols which represent the astrological houses arranged as the year progresses through the seasons and eqinoxes

I began my design using a compass..

Here are some pictures showing my latest watercolour design from the early stages through to completion.
   I used a compass to set out the design in pencil, gradually adding the other design elements. The whole design was created using watercolours.

Pyro-Art Piece 'Listening Heavens'

This is my latest little 'Pyro-Art' piece. The birchwood tablet measures 7.5 x 3cm and I've decorated all sides. The main image shows a deer in forest setting with a starry night sky. I used the reverse side to inscribe one of my favourite verses, by Rabindrnath Tagore..it reads :

                               'Trees are the Earths endless effort to speak to the listening Heavens.'

The young deer stands beneath 'the listening heavens'..

Verse by Rabindranath Tagore.

Miniatures

'Runeravens' within Nkuku frame 5cm

'Runeravens' design within a Nkuku frame 5cm

Runes of the Elder Futhark on one side of 'Runeravens' 5cm design

Ravens on one side of my double sided design- 'Runeravens' 5cm

Owl in Nkuku frame. Geese on reverse

This design measures just 5cm

Well as regular readers will know, I really love to work on a small scale. Some years ago when I was immersed in a programme of Buddhist meditation, I did produce some larger pieces of artwork..some as large as A3, still with a high level of detail..but more recently I've enjoyed creating tiny pictures. I love the challenge which comes with working on such a small scale and the pleasure of producing something a little out of the ordinary. Initially I was framing my little circular miniatures in small brass 'watch frames' which I've had by me for a number of years. However, last year I was thrilled to discover these tiny 'Nkuku' frames which are perfect for my tiniest drawings and offer the opportunity to create double sided designs! These lovely little frames are made from glass and brass, hinged so that they open like a locket.
   These little paintings are created using a mix of watercolours, pen and ink and gouache..

'Geese' in a tiny Nkuku frame. Owl on reverse.

  I hope you enjoy looking at this selection of my tiny artworks..

'Magical Hares' 5cm design

Tiny mandala on reverse side of ' Magical Hares'

A new page - Glimpses of 'Elen of the Ways'

I've just added a new page,which you'll find listed at the top of my homepage among the others, such as 'Illustration' and 'Pen and Ink designs..
   The idea was to put together in one place my various 'Elen' related projects, together with a description of their development,

and of couse I'll be expanding it as new paintings and drawings emerge..

Double sided Miniature : 'Runeravens'

This tiny little square of watercolour paper measures just 5cm. Painted on one side with the runes of the Elder Futhark, and on the other side with a pair of Corvids - Huginn and Muninn perhaps?

Nkuku frame

 

  The paintings are housed within a lovely little Nkuku brass frame which opens at the side..creating a unique treasure!

Huginn and Muninn

Runes of the Elder Futhark