🎴TLT Tarot: the Fool (Nona & Noodle) // Sketch & Ideas (Patreon)

The Fool depicts a youth walking joyfully into the world. He is taking his first steps, and he is exuberant, joyful, excited. He carries nothing with him except a small sack, caring nothing for the possible dangers that lie in his path. Indeed, he is soon to encounter the first of these possible dangers, for if he takes just a step more, he he topple over the cliff that he is reaching. But this doesn't seem to concern him - we are unsure whether he is just naive or simply unaware.The Fool card is numbered 0, which is considered to be a number of infinite potential. Consider him a blank slate, for The Fool has yet to develop a clear personality. He is the symbol of innocence - his journey to come will shape his character yet. (Labyrinthos)

Nona was a very clear first choice when I read the meaning of the card! I didnt' get a good art idea depicting a cliff (or similar) and Nona. Instead of a traveling bag I thought I'd give her a simple grocery bag and imagined that she just went to shop for or wander around with Noodle. And with the chosen idea, the immediate 'danger' is now greatly reduced to a funny banana peel on the floor.

References & Inspo

Ever since I saw Cutetanuki's Noodle version I fell in absolute LOVE with a tiny white fluffy version and I knew I wanted to depict Noodle the same (side note: please check out Tan's art because it's incredible).

I had various notes from the book and tried to stick to most of what's described there. The only thing I initially wanted to include but ended up leaving out is the sun hat. I just didn't get it to look right and thought it might as well symbolize Nona's naiveté of not wearing it & not considering the consequences of that action (i.e. being found out).

I also saved a looooot of inspirational art from games or concept art to get the feel for a desert city for the coloration part. The biggest inspo that I love is the concept for Assassin's creed in the bottom right of this ref screenshot:

The sketch was quite daunting since I don't draw backgrounds often. But I really like the end result.

Cheers! 💛 Chim