Kings&Queens playing cards was a project where graphic designer Jeremiah Dickson wanted to redo an assignment he did for college waaay back in his freshman year. They had to make a trading card out of a photograph of ourselves. This obviously isn't quite that assignment, but he wanted to do a playing card that he'd stare at if he was holding them during a game.

I did a lot of sketches of different styles before settling on the final designs. I had a whole different style going, but decided against it because it didn't feel like it was me doing them. The final design is much closer to my own style, and I'm happy with the result. I've seen other approaches to this type of project, and wanted to challenge myself to do one myself. I drew from my admiration for trading cards like Magic: The Gathering, and wanted cards that captured a sense of action through their structure. The King of Hearts, for example, feels very solid and statuesque while the Jack of Spades has a more triangular sense of movement.
-Jeremiah Dickson

I'd describe my style as "structured energy". I often use shapes to help layout my illustrations, and I use color to help as energy to the structure so it feels more alive. I want looking at my work to be fun! As for my inspirations, I'll try to keep it down to 5 :) Shirow Miwa (Japanese Illustrator/Comic Artist), James Jean (a modern Alphonse Mucha in my opinion), Moebius (his images are such a joy to examine), Bruce Timm (iconic silhouettes) and Julian Callos (super talented).
-Jeremiah Dickson

Advice for fellow/aspiring artists? Find your way of making practice fun. Make exercises into a game, or do it to the beat of your favorite song of the day. Even if you have to do a personal piece, just don't ever forget to have some fun with your art. There was a brief time when I forgot why I liked doing art in the first place. Know what fixed it and reminded me? Looking at art I had done when I was a kid and dreaming was all I did. Recapture that care free spirit, put in a bottle, and take a swig every now and then. You'll thank yourself.
-Jeremiah Dickson

About Jeremiah Dickson

Jeremiah Dickson is an Illustrator and Graphic Designer currently residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. He's a self-taught Illustrator who loves playing his favorite animated movies and television shows in his studio while he work! There's never a time where he's not working out an illustration, character design, or short story in the back of his mind. See more of his works on Behance or his prosite.