Playing Cards Art Project

Ms. SQ’s Upper School Art

We know Las Vegas loves playing cards, but where did playing cards come from?
Thomas de la
Rue & Co. 1832
 Mamluk playing cards from
15th-early 16th century Turkey
Where did they come from?
We are all familiar with playing cards, and everyone has used them—most of us probably
have a deck sitting in a drawer right now. But, have you ever considered the history of
playing cards or wondered how they came into existence? These simple cards which most of
us take for granted actually have a long and rich history. Many experts believe that they
were invented in Imperial China and the earliest known reference to playing cards dates
back to the 9th century during the Tang dynasty. Other historians believe that they originated
in Persia and then spread to China, India and other parts of the world. However, it is difficult
to ascertain their true origin as playing cards were made of such fragile material that no early
samples have survived.
Playing cards designed
by Tim Burton
Disney Inspired
Playing Card
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Regardless of where they first came from, playing
cards finally arrived in Europe in the early 14th
century, and it is believed that their appearance was
the result of trade between Europe and Egypt.
Initially, playing cards were made by hand which
made them quite expensive and limited their use to
the upper class and nobility. As paper quality
improved and printing processes evolved, it became
easier to reproduce playing cards and they became
available to everyone. This led to an increase in the
popularity of gambling and a fear that immorality
would intensify from their use. As a result, the
church and state intervened to control the sale and
use of playing cards. Churches spoke out against the
evil that card games inspired, and governments
levied heavy taxes on makers and buyers of playing
cards in an attempt to squash the negative influence
that these cards were said to create.
Spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds,
which are the four suits used in
today’s playing cards, originated in
France in the 1480s. In fact, the
typical deck used today is often
referred to as the French deck.
Comprised of four suits, each suit of
the French deck includes three face
cards; the king, queen and jack with
an image symbolizing the suit, an
ace, and number cards from two to
ten. Each card utilizes symbols of its
suit, also called pips, to represent
the number of the card, and the
number or rank is also printed on
each corner of the card to ensure
readability when the cards are held
in a fanned position.
• Things to consider:
• What animal do you want to be your character?
What will your animal wear? What style are you inspired by?

• What details will you use within your animal to drive home your
concept?

• How will you include your suit and number/face card?

• What will your background and surrounding areas look like? What details
will you include?

• How will you connect the two rotational images together in an interesting
way?
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There are two black suits — spades (♠) and clubs (♣) and two red suits
— hearts (♥) and diamonds (♦). In each suit there are 13 cards including
a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, a jack, a queen, a king and an ace. (Note that
there is no 1.) A jack, a queen and a king are called picture cards. And
a joker.
Be CREATIVE! Pick a character that is
going to be a challenge, but isn’t
overly complex.

You can choose any subject (that is

school appropriate).

You can be inspired by other artists,

but must give them credit!

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 Mirror Flip Full Center

You have a design choice for the center of the card. Your design can be mirrored,
flipped, or be the entire center. What are you going to pick?
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Playing Cards are Everywhere!
With their long and interesting history, and their widespread use still today,
playing cards are an integral part of today’s global culture. Wherever you
go in the world, you’re likely to see a deck; sold in supermarkets and as
souvenirs, or being used to provide a few moments of enjoyment in a card
game, playing cards are everywhere. They are also a medium for
expression and the sharing of information, and as such, their significance
cannot be underestimated. So, the next time you’re looking for a new
source of inspiration, deal yourself a hand of cards!
Student Examples:
How to get started:
- Complete the Playing Card Notes
- Turn in your Playing Card Notes
- Playing Card Notes Attached on the Google Classroom
- You can do this in your sketchbook or print out the PDF.
- Start onto your final Playing Card
- Look at student examples and slides above for guidance!
- Ask for help or ideas!
- Have a clear idea and sketch it out first
- Then go into your Playing Card with outlining and color
Helpful Video to Trace and Flip
Your Design!

Click on this to watch the video

 Materials:
1. Watercolor Paint
Refined, clean, tonal
value. Realistic form!
2. Colored Pencil
(when necessary)
 - Overall Balance and Unity within
What is your your piece!
focus? - Color theory will be very important!
- I highly suggest using watercolors to
experiment with
- CRAFTSMANSHIP!!
- Clean fonts and outlines in your
work!
- Illustrate an animal or character on
your playing card!