Research

Here I have researched and sourced some images on lino and wood cuts as well as tattoo designs based on witchcraft and the runes that have some meaning to some people. These tattoos are interesting as they are different and bold.

Here are some mood boards into my theme witchcraft and folk law. A few of the images that I have sourced are tarot cards and Ouija linking into the theme witchcraft and some of the other images are just images that have been sourced that are about folk law and its history.

Primary Research - Social Groups

Tarot and Oracle cards

Tarot cards are known and used most often by spirit mediums, psychics and people that study and practice witchcraft or paganism. They are believed to be able to be used to see into the past, present and future of a users life. This can be performed on other people or on ones self.

How to use them

Tarot cards can be used in many different ways, most sets will come with a book that explains the meaning behind the cards that are pulled. This however, isnt an accurate way to use them and misses out a lot of the details that more experienced card readers pick up on. Some people use the book as a place to start, whilst others focus on the cards themselves without the book. Tarot is a very spiritual activity, as when doing a reading, the reader needs to be grounded and in tune with their energies and thoughts, experienced tarots readers a lot of the time will be delivered thoughts and backstory from the energies tied to the cards meanings and the energy that the person getting the reading has put into it when selecting each card. These thoughts and backstories feel like remembering something youd forgotten about suddenly and come up in the mind as a thought or a flash of an image. The reader will then use these thoughts and images to piece together what the reading is trying to tell them.

Spreads

Their are dozens of spreads that can be used to do a reading. However, the default is normally three or four cards, three cards representing the past present and future, read left to right, and an extra one for either a second path the user could find themselves on depending on whether they take the advice given, or advice for how to go about reaching the users next achievements.

Tarot vs Oracle, whats the difference?

A lot of people tend to mix up the purposes of these two sets of cards. A tarot deck is used to predict the future and learn about a users past and present, this tends to be in categories, such as relationships, financial, educational etc. Things that can span out in the long term for years. Oracle cards on the other hand are used to focus in on smaller detailed problems, such as, "will I end up with this person I like, or "will I get the job I applied for". They are used for advice and for warnings about making bad decisions and unlike tarot are more focused around events closer to the present, you will normally find that the cards read about past events from a few months back and futures that will come up shortly. Because of this, it is important to know what deck of cards you need for what you want to ask.

How do I pick out the cards?

To pick your cards from the deck is a very individual thing, the standard practice is to spread out the deck in front of the user and have them hover a hand over the cards, they will normally be able to sense which ones they are being called to, this can be from feeling a warmth or cooling against their hand from a card, or a vibration feeling, or simply an intuitional thought that passes through their mind as they pass over one of the cards, each person can have a very different experience. However, all of these feelings lead to the same conclusion that that is one of your cards.

Many users when selecting out the cards that the reader will read from find themselves very nervous about selecting the 'wrong cards', when in fact there arent any wrong cards, the use of fortune telling is to seek truths and advice, this can sometimes mean having to face truths that arent good or idealistic.

Mowgli is a tattoo artist based in London, currently working in a tattoo shop named though my third eye, he is a contemporary tattooist and works in a very modern style creating new unique designs for people with modern taste, I like this style as it is mainly line it looks great and there cant be too much error as it is contemporary. He started out as a inspiring artist and was greatly into music. But although he grew up in a religious family he wanted to bend the rules and start his fun in tattooing and so he pursued it. After he had designs that where different from the rest and where in a modern contemporary style he started showing his work until he got to the place he is now. This tattooist has a flare for design and creativity because of the line work and shapes of the tattoo as well as the textures and tones. This tattooist also has a steady hand in his work as the line work is very neat and up to standard also the detail on this work is great because of the shading and line work as well as the dot work.

Kolahari is a tattoo designer and he uses bold wood cut's for major inspiration and also in some of his tattoos he also uses a Eastern inspiration the way that he shades is a very medieval style and doesn't shade like a normal tattooist as he uses line as the way of shading. Using the wood cut as his designs is very interesting as the customers like the style of the tattooist, as the tattoo is very different the tattooist can put the price higher as it isn't a usual design and then the designer will then be to make the design more to their inspiration.

Woodcut is a relief printing technique in printmaking. An artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood—typically with gouges—leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. Areas that the artist cuts away carry no ink, while characters or images at surface level carry the ink to produce the print. The block is cut along the wood grain (unlike wood engraving, where the block is cut in the end-grain). The surface is covered with ink by rolling over the surface with an ink-covered roller (brayer), leaving ink upon the flat surface but not in the non-printing areas.

Multiple colors can be printed by keying the paper to a frame around the woodblocks (using a different block for each color). The art of carving the woodcut can be called "xylography", but this is rarely used in English for images alone, although that and "xylographic" are used in connection with block books, which are small books containing text and images in the same block. They became popular in Europe during the latter half of the 15th century. A single-sheet woodcut is a woodcut presented as a single image or print, as opposed to a book illustration.

Research:

My specialist industry is tattooing and my interest is also tattooing. I would really like to do this as the industry its self is very interesting especially the tattooing part , however, the designing of it also is, my progression aim is to make my portfolio of work and get a tattooing apprenticeship in a tattoo/body art shop.

Materials, techniques and processes:

Tattooing involves the placement of pigment into the skin's dermis, the layer of dermal tissue underlying the epidermis. After initial injection, pigment is dispersed throughout a homogenized damaged layer down through the epidermis and upper dermis, in both of which the presence of foreign material activates the immune system's phagocytes to engulf the pigment particles. As healing proceeds, the damaged epidermis flakes away (eliminating surface pigment) while deeper in the skin granulation tissue forms, which is later converted to connective tissue by collagen growth. This mends the upper dermis, where pigment remains trapped within fibroblasts, ultimately concentrating in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary. It's presence there is stable, but in the long term (decades) the pigment tends to migrate deeper into the dermis, accounting for the degraded detail of old tattoos.

The most common method of tattooing in modern times is the electric tattoo machine, which inserts ink into the skin via a single needle or a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 80 to 150 times a second. This modern procedure is ordinarily sanitary. The needles are single-use needles that come packaged individually. The tattoo artist must wash his or her hands and must also wash the area that will be tattooed. Gloves must be worn at all times and the wound must be wiped frequently with a wet disposable towel of some kind. The equipment must be sterilized in a certified autoclave before and after every use.

Prices for this service vary widely globally and locally, depending on the complexity of the tattoo, the skill and expertise of the artist, the attitude of the customer, the costs of running a business, the economics of supply and demand, etc. The time it takes to get a tattoo is in proportion with its size and complexity. A small one of simple design might take 15 minutes, whereas an elaborate sleeve tattoo or back piece requires multiple sessions that may consist of several hours at a time ranging over months or even years.

The properly equipped tattoo studio will use biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, sharps containers for old needles, and an autoclave for sterilizing tools. Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water.

Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for the stencil, between clients, and at any other time when cross contamination can occur. The use of single use gloves is also mandatory and disposed after each stage of tattooing. The same gloves should not be used to clean the tattoo station, tattoo the client, and clean the tattoo.

In some states and countries it is illegal to tattoo a minor even with parental consent, and (except in the case of medical tattoos) it is forbidden to tattoo impaired persons, people with contraindicated skin conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, those incapable of consent due to mental incapacity, or those under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Before the tattooing begins the client is asked to approve the final position of the applied stencil. After approval is given the artist will open new, sterile needle packages in front of the client, and always use new, sterile, or sterile disposable instruments and supplies, and fresh ink for each session (loaded into disposable ink caps which are discarded after each client). Also, all areas which may be touched with contaminated gloves will be wrapped in clear plastic to prevent cross-contamination. Equipment that cannot be autoclaved (such as counter tops, machines, and furniture) will be wiped with an approved disinfectant.

Materials:

Ink

Tattoo supply houses sell special inks that are used to create tattoos. They are available in a variety of colours and are typically packaged in 4 oz plastic squeeze bottles so they are easily dispensed. These inks are liquid dispersions of pigments that, in the United States, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The ink consists of dyes derived from metal components. For this reason, allergic reactions to the type of ink used is possible.

Skills

A tattoo artist is a very specialised job and requires a unique set of attributes, such as:

A flair for design and creativity.
A steady hand.
A love of alternative cultures.
Patience and dedication.
Good interpersonal skills.
Extremely good attention to detail.
Empathetic nature, and the ability to turn clients’ ideas into reality.

The belief in or pursuit of a state in which everything is perfect, typically regarded as unrealistic or idealistic. Typically describes an imaginary community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its members. It was coined by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island society in the New World.

Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. Charcoal has been used since earliest times for a large range of purposes including art.

To increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way.

Synonyms for Tarot

History of Tarot

Playing cards first entered Europe in the late 14th century, but the origin is unknown. The first records date to 1367 in Berne and they appear to have spread very rapidly across the whole of Europe, as may be seen from the records, mainly of card games being banned. Little is known about the appearance and number of these cards; the only significant information being provided by a text by John of Rheinfelden in 1377 from Freiburg im Breisgau, who, in addition to other versions describes the basic pack as containing the still-current 4 suits of 13 cards, the courts usually being the King, Ober and Unter ("marshals"), although Dames and Queens were already known by then.

One early pattern of playing cards that evolved was one with the suits of Batons or Clubs, Coins, Swords, and Cups. These suits are still used in traditional Italian, Spanish and Portuguese playing card decks, but have also been adapted in packs used specifically for tarot divination cards that first appeared in the late 18th century.

The first documented tarot packs were recorded between 1440 and 1450 in Milan, Ferrara, Florence and Bologna when additional trump cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the common four-suit pack. These new decks were called carte da trionfi, triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as trionfi, which became "trumps" in English. The earliest documentation of trionfi is found in a written statement in the court records of Florence, in 1440, regarding the transfer of two decks to Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta.

The oldest surviving tarot cards are the 15 or so Visconti-Sforza tarot decks painted in the mid-15th century for the rulers of the Duchy of Milan. A lost tarot-like pack was commissioned by Duke Filippo Maria Visconti and described by Martiano da Tortona probably between 1418 and 1425, since the painter he mentions, Michelino da Besozzo, returned to Milan in 1418, while Martiano himself died in 1425. He described a 60-card deck with 16 cards having images of the Roman gods and suits depicting four kinds of birds. The 16 cards were regarded as "trumps" since in 1449 Jacopo Antonio Marcello recalled that the now deceased duke had invented a novum quoddam et exquisitum triumphorum genus, or "a new and exquisite kind of triumphs". Other early decks that also showcased classical motifs include the Sola-Busca and Boiardo-Viti decks of the 1490s.

In Florence, an expanded deck called Minchiate was used. This deck of 97 cards includes astrological symbols and the four elements, as well as traditional tarot motifs.

Although a Dominican preacher inveighed against the evil inherent in cards (chiefly owing to their use in gambling) in a sermon in the 15th century, no routine condemnations of tarot were found during its early history.

Because the earliest tarot cards were hand-painted, the number of the decks produced is thought to have been small. It was only after the invention of the printing press that mass production of cards became possible. The expansion of tarot outside of Italy, first to France and Switzerland, occurred during the Italian Wars. The most important tarot pattern used in these two countries was the Tarot of Marseilles of Milanese origin.

Social life of Tarot

Tarot card reading is a form of cartomancy whereby practitioners use tarot cards purportedly to gain insight into the past, present or future. They formulate a question, then draw cards to interpret them for this end. A regular tarot deck consists of 78 cards, which can be split into two groups, the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. French-suited playing cards can also be used; as can any card system with suits assigned to identifiable elements (e.g., air, earth, fire, water). this is usualy performed by a fortune teller on in a at home practice and/or at solstices. However because this is technically a religion other religions such as Christians don't support it as it is some how contacting the dead or other higher beings and isn't condoned in their religion.

How tarot cards can be brought into my specialist pathway

Tattoos mean something different to everyone. Even though you might have the same tattoo as someone else, the meaning behind the tattoo could be vastly different.

The same goes for tarot cards, whose deep and powerful meanings are interpreted differently depending on who is reading the card.

Their deep meanings and powerful imagery make tarot card tattoos a great addition to your body art.

At the end of the day, you’re going to proudly wear that permanent piece. You have the power to show it off to the world or keep it to yourself.

In the deck of tarot cards, did you know a female walking a lion represents strength? It means you have the courage to over any obstacle to come your way. The Justice tarot card shows your objectivity to any situation.

Tarot cards have an individual meaning unique to the person who pulls it. Their simple meanings are significant and can change the wave you’re riding in. Nothing is set in stone and tarot tattoos can remind you that every day. i could then make different sets of cards depending on the meaning as tattoo designs or as a illustration, as different cards have different meanings for example:

The Star tarot card tattoo means hope, faith, purpose, renewal, and spirituality.

It’s about your connection to the otherworldly. Get this tattoo if you're needing a little more whimsy in your life. If you need a reminder to always have faith this is the perfect signature for you.

Artist Research

Antonio Cicognara is a 20 years old 15th-century Italian painter from . Antonio Cicognara was born on January 01, 1480 (died on January 01, 1500, antonio Cicognara was 20 years old) in . Antonio Cicognara nickname was Cicognari.

Bonifacio was active between 1447 and 1478. He painted portraits, frescoes, biblical scenes, and also designed tarot cards. He is known for the frescoes found in the ducal chapel of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. He also painted portraits of Francesco Sforza and his wife Bianca Maria Visconti. These portraits hang in the church of Sant'Agostino in Cremona.

Here are some photos that I've taken from the natural history museum that will inspire me to create tarot cards. Further above is some photos from the design museum that could also be used as designs for tarot.

The first photo here is a vase with some pressed leaves in it, I could use this vase as a tarot card cup. The rest were from the Design Museum which could be used in tarot card designs, such as the white spiral building, this could be used as the tower card in tarot.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

With its full moat, original wooden portcullis, murder holes, spiral staircases and battlements, a visit to Bodiam Castle gives a glimpse back in time to the 14th century. Enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life, and on selected dates, look out for tours, talks, armour demonstrations and family trails to find out more about the people who lived and worked in this medieval castle.

Corfe Castle, Dorset

It’s hard to miss the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle, perched high on the hill above the sleepy Dorset village to which it has given its name. There’s a long and dramatic history surrounding the castle – from its beginnings as a Norman stronghold to being besieged during the Civil War. It's continued to inspire people ever since – the ruins are thought to have been Enid Blyton’s inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the ‘Famous Five’ novels. Follow the trail out of the village and see if you can imagine 18th-century smugglers hauling contraband across Corfe Common on their way from the Purbeck coast to London.

An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers called fletchings mounted near the rear, and a slot at the rear end called nock for engaging the bowstring. A container or bag carrying additional arrows for convenient reloading is called a quiver.

The use of bows and arrows by humans predates recorded history and is common to most cultures. A craftsman who makes arrows is a fletcher, and one that makes arrowheads is an arrowsmith.

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing (leading), and letter-spacing (tracking), as well as adjusting the space between pairs of letters.

I have chosen these black and white tarot cards to inspire me to make my work in this style and tone. I like these above for the line work and dot shading.

Here are some castles that I have researched for me to find out the stones in there architecture to give me a rough idea on how to make my final piece in these textures.

Cardboard relief is my inspiration for my next piece of work to make and hope to achieve a outcome that I am happy with. Through researching this I have learnt how to cut a relief model and how to create depth and tone in my work, as well as being safe while using the knife by pointing it away from me or anyone.

Model maker, Rosa De Jong, she focuses on small models usually in test tubes or in small cases. Her work is based on scenery and small abstract houses. i like the look of her work as it is really interesting and different. the materials in this work range from cardboard, wood, foam and paint as well as the decoration such as the foliage used.

Another model maker, Thomas Doyle, his work ranges in modelling in different ways such as landscapes and abstract work, i like this work because of the scenery used in it and the different layers and textures, as well as the bright colours of the work. In his work he uses a base of some kind being foam or cardboard to make layers then he covers the layers in modrock, paints it then covers it in glue and foliage. then adds the decoration on top being the houses and characters.

Sarah Maycock is an illustrator who mainly works in ink, and illustrates buildings and animals this would link into my work as it would show the work of black line, i like the style she uses as it has many textures and tones while using the ink.

Niki de Saint Phalle is an artist who works in an abstract style and transforms original tarot into more of a modern and abstract style i liked the look of this not because of the colour but because of the line work, its weird and wonderful.

Skills needed in model making:

design skills and knowledge.
to be thorough and pay attention to detail.
knowledge of engineering science and technology.
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
knowledge of manufacturing production and processes.
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things.

Ethics in fortune telling:

Biddy Tarot said:

"Sadly there are a handful of people and organisations that prey on unsuspecting individuals who are simply searching for help. People and organisations that say they know when you’re going to die or how you can win the lottery or who will remove an evil curse… if only you’ll hand over $200.

What’s also really sad is that these scammers damage the reputations of the many professional and ethical Tarot readers out there, who are well-meaning individuals who want to make a difference in people’s lives"

Jenni Miller said:

"The cards in the major arcana don't necessarily represent us in a given reading; they might represent someone else in our lives"

presentation techniques in tattooing

Here is some tattoo flash sheets that tattooists present some of there designs on, I like this as it is simple but yet so effective, as it shows multiple designs on one flash sheet.

Another way that tattooists present there work is in a portfolio you might see this is a tattoo shop before you head to the back to show a range of designs that you might be interested in, I like this too as it is simple but yet it brings in so many customers.

this here is how a model maker would present their designs, they usually take a photo on a white background to make the focus on the model itself, I like this a lot as it makes the designs stand out an it.