The Cursed & Crooked Kingdom Volume Two by Marianne Larsen

[kevork]

[Harvonsgard]

I see hut; I see old face; I think Baba Yaga.

[vasta41]

Pretty so far. Seems uusi-like to me.

[kevork]

[Zzzzi]

Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but the plants on the border look like they were painted with AI.

[kevork]

Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but the plants on the border look like they were painted with AI.

I guess we'll see once higher resolution photos come out. I'd sincerely hope not as it can tarnish people's reputations like it may have with Nicolai.

I'm definitely giving Marianne the benefit of the doubt as she's a great artist and just won Deck of the Year for Cirque Luciole.

[KGthePrince]

According to Marianne the project launches this week. We'll know more soon enough

[Adamthinks]

Did they ever respond to the AI allegations?

[Harvonsgard]

In one thread of Nicolai's decks were some answers posted. I forgot which of his projects it was.

[felicityk]

In one thread of Nicolai's decks were some answers posted. I forgot which of his projects it was.

It might have been Gothica (by The Other Self).

[felicityk]

I'm definitely giving Marianne the benefit of the doubt as she's a great artist and just won Deck of the Year for Cirque Luciole.

I was very pleased with The Cursed and the Crooked, and this appears to be similar in style. Looking forward to seeing more.

[kevork]

For more context:

Merlin's tower in the village of Bakus, nestled within the mythological forest in the heart of the tiny kingdom

[Harvonsgard]

I'm definitely giving Marianne the benefit of the doubt as she's a great artist and just won Deck of the Year for Cirque Luciole.

Not to piss on anyone's parade but that proves legit nothing. Not saying she isn't but does she do anything that somehow proves she is an actual painter/illustrator/artist? Like posting wip pictures or videos? Has she any presence as an artist like Lorenzo, Wylie, Elettra, Jackson?

[kevork]

I'm definitely giving Marianne the benefit of the doubt as she's a great artist and just won Deck of the Year for Cirque Luciole.

Not to piss on anyone's parade but that proves legit nothing. Not saying she isn't but does she do anything that somehow proves she is an actual painter/illustrator/artist? Like posting wip pictures or videos? Has she any presence as an artist like Lorenzo, Wylie, Elettra, Jackson?

Oops, I forgot to put the Piss Free Zone signs for the parade. I get what you mean, Harv. I personally have no evidence to the contrary but am I still giving benefit of the doubt? Yes.

Nicolai and Marianne are partners though and I'd be shocked if she wasn't aware of his AI usage. I'd hope she isn't going in that direction but who is to say.

[Harvonsgard]

I'm not talking about AI alone. Isolated Thunderstorm always gives me vibes of art directors/project managers. Nothing wrong with that in my book. I just find it... don't know the correct term for it... if people automatically assume someone actually did the artwork for a deck, just because it says by ______ on the kickstarter or tuckbox.
Some brands, like TGW, properly credit the artists behind a deck; some don't, like TXI. I wouldn't call it doubts, just an objective view on how business works in a society based on the principle of the division of labour.

[kevork]

That's a good point and not something I had considered. You could very well be right. The Isolated Thunderstorm website does cite:

In the company we develop and offer unique items to a worldwide audience in collaboration with experienced artists.

Source

[Honeybee]

I agree harvs, I never thought she was an artist herself but I am not sure why I formed this opinion

[KGthePrince]

I'm definitely giving Marianne the benefit of the doubt as she's a great artist and just won Deck of the Year for Cirque Luciole.

I was very pleased with The Cursed and the Crooked, and this appears to be similar in style. Looking forward to seeing more.

Felicity I think you were spot on! Looks like a continuation in the series. From Marianne's bio on KS:
"After my personal launches as mentioned above, I only feel more confident of trying on further ideas of mine and make them grow into launching yet another new playing card project - The Cursed and The Crooked Kingdom; it has been like a beautiful dream creating this!"

[Honeybee]

Thanks KG but that does not mean she is the artist

[kevork]

Changed the title of the post to now reflect the upcoming deck!

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[kevork]

Now live, link in original post

[Evilgamer]

to (somewhat) answer the artist question

Designed and executed by Marianne Larsen with artwork partly by talented artists, Azarii Gorchakov (Graza) and Patrick Leis, whose work of art is worthy of attention and acknowledgement!

not the kind of art\deck Im interested in collecting at this point but I wish the campaign luck.

[Honeybee]

I like the style but am a little wary of NPCC.
I think Marianne has a typo
"Welcome to an entanglement of Celtic stone and exploring wines"
Should that read vines?

[Adamthinks]

I'm not feeling this one. I'm gonna pass.

[kevork]

I had abstained from making any comments until I got to see the campaign in its entirety. The jokers are cute and I find the coins to look cool, but it's not enough for me to want to back the campaign. Needless to say, this is on its way to getting funded and Marianne is a very reliable producer.

[Honeybee]

I am still not sure if Marianne is an artist

Designed and executed by Marianne Larsen with artwork partly by talented artists, Azarii Gorchakov (Graza) and Patrick Leis, whose work of art is worthy of attention and acknowledgement!

[kevork]

According to Sinecure

Marianne runs Isolated Thunderstorm and leads the Design Imperator group of artists, which includes Martin Helgren, Patrick Leis, Svend Normand and husband Nicolai Aarøe.

Maybe "The Other Self" is a way for Nicolai to use AI without it tarnishing IT but who knows.