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It's been 4 years in the making but I've finished my first-ever complete tarot deck featuring my dark and twisted style. I wanted to create my own vision of a tarot deck featuring humanoid creatures and demons that could be used for tarot readings.

If anyone would like to get a deck the link is here, and if you sign up on the mailing list you'll get a 20% off code you can use for the Tarot as well!

More info: Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com | shawncossart.com | Youtube

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I Created My Own Dark And Twisted Tarot Deck

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Nilsen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a fact that although Death is, in his own words, an ANTHROPOMORPHIC PERSONIFICATION, he long ago gave up using the traditional skeletal horses, because of the bother of having to stop all the time to wire bits back on. — (Terry Pratchett, Mort)

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I'm a dark art artist from Ohio. I've been an artist as far back as I can remember, from being 5 years old drawing dinosaurs, to my teenage years drawing horror creatures. I started out with just pencils at first and then ventured into the world of acrylics and oils before I found my comfort in watercolor and digital illustration.

I've been working at my craft professionally for 9 years as an independent artist as well as an artist for the widely popular webcomic series, Cyanide & Happiness. I'm also a co-owner and artist for the Ohio-based lifestyle brand, Any Means Necessary clothing. 

For the last few years (4 to be exact) my fans have been begging and pleading for me to create a tarot deck in my style. It was a long and tedious process but a project of love for my fans. It was also a test for me to see if I could create 78 different pieces of art for a single project.

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The first step was research. A lot of research. I needed to try and understand each card as much as I could because, with Tarot, each symbol and figure represents something of importance to that specific card. At the same time, I wanted to put my own spin on each card with my infamous thin-figured creatures. In terms of which style of creature really depended on the card. Some called for masculinity while others are feminine. 

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I hope for those that practice tarot, that they have the only deck they'll ever want to use. My team and I focused a lot on making sure the deck was special. I didn't want just some normal tuck box, so we went with a sturdy magnetic flip-top box with a spot UV finish and silver accents on the cover. The cards themselves are silver gilded and also have a spot UV finish on the backs.

I also hope that those who are fans of my art, who may not practice Tarot, will enjoy them as a collection of 78 various art pieces. The most feedback I've gotten and justifiably was "Where is the book?" And, unfortunately, I didn't want to spend another 4 years making the book. Maybe if I create another I will, but there are a ton of amazing resources online to help beginner Tarot practitioners.

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The next ones are a tarot-sized deck of my mental health series, It's All in Your Head in card form, since many don't like having to carry around my book (It's 2 lbs!) And the other project will be an oracle deck.

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The_Tired_Artist
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay but like how did they get so flexible? my guy, are you alright?

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I Created My Own Dark And Twisted Tarot Deck

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Veronica Rabbit
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite of them all. This one is so meaningful to me. Sometimes I am very grateful to an artist for making something, and this is one of those times--thank you!

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L̸1̶z̵
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooh I feel this one! I really feel the sense of loss in this image. Fantastic!!

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L̸1̶z̵
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which path to take?!! Which option to choose? Which gauntlet to take up? Which cup to drink from? This really gives that sense of having options but not knowing which to choose. I like that the character seems overwhelmed by the options

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L̸1̶z̵
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! The world is the end but also the beginning. This is perfect!

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Non-binary warlord
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The use of an anatomical heart in this makes it even more chilling, and beautiful.

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Maxwell Kranicz
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've noticed that most of the wands in these cards make symbols and I just think that's really cool!

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DonnerDinnerParty
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how dark and deadly yet how sensual and kinda sexy some of these are

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L̸1̶z̵
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaah yes I think I will take a rest... Thank you 4 of swords ;) I love this

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DonnerDinnerParty
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pointy legs with no feet is such a good aesthetic for these cards