The Art Of Drawing And Collecting Sketch Cards And Art Cards
What is a sketch card?
A sketch card is a trading card with original one of a kind (not printed) artwork.
Its dimensions are usually 6.4 x 8.9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 inches). So, this is the same current size of trading cards.
And, we would want to keep it the same size to fit in the current card protectors on the market. For example, Ultra Pro Toploaders, Penny-sleeves and (what I like to use) Magnetic One Touch Holders.
WHAT MATERIAL ARE SKETCH CARDS MADE ON?
The most common material they are made on is any card stock that is of archival quality.
And, it has to be thick enough as to not warp or break apart when using different mediums such as watercolors or acrylic paints that really soak into the paper.
For example, a good card stock that I use is Bristol - Vellum surface, 270 gsm from Strathmore. This is agreed in the community as the standard to use for sketch card surfaces.
What are the tools used TO CREATE A SKETCH CARD?
The more traditional tools to create a sketch card are the obvious graphite pencil or a water-based ink. However, the idea is pushed even further by talented artists who use acrylic, oil, water-soluble paints.
Also, this goes into the discussion of a sketch card vs an art card. What is the distinguished line between the two and how both have weight in trading cards. That’s why, some artists prefer to keep the idea of a sketch card as literally that: à la 5 minute sketch.
But, there is discussion in the community that it is also a piece of art that can take however long and with as many mediums preferred. Therefore, some members of the community have proposed that these more laboured cards be called “Art Cards”.
And, I think I fit into the more Art Card category. My personal process fits more comfortably into detailed artwork while utilising up to or more than 3 mediums.
Also, I am very interested in exploring a more efficient and less time-consuming process. And, I would probably invest in Copic markers and implement them in my workflow.
Also to note: alcohol-based markers are quite common tools used in creating sketch cards in the community.
Why are sketch cards so special?
In contrast to the beautifully printed glossy, shiny trading cards that you’re collecting in the cards set, a sketch card stands out because of its unique imperfections.
In fact, you can see the actual sketch lines underneath the ink or the paint visually revealing the different textures of the medium used. As opposed to a mass produced printed trading card.
They are raw, rare, not mass produced. For example, it could sometimes only be found in 1:200. This means there is 1 card in a box of 200 trading cards.
In addition, they are so unique because you are truly getting a piece of art among mass produced printed trading cards. In fact, this piece of art can only be found 1-of-1 in the world.
Truly, 1-of-1 is so special because no one in the world has this card but you. So, the artist put his energy and passion into this sketch card.
And, by pure chance, upon your purchase of a packet of trading cards, you now have this 1-of-1 piece of art in the world that is stamped, sealed and approved by the publishing company.
To sum up, the act of discovering and owning such a card is like catching a Pokemon, because they’re just so rare!
Who currently makes sketch cards?
The trading cards company Topps does Star Wars and Star Trek sketch cards. Therefore, they are looking for artists who are good at portraiture and realism.
While Upper Deck handles Marvel. So, they look for artists that use more comic, fantasy and vibrant colour styles. And, same thing with Cryptozoic that handles DC comics.
WHAT IS AN ARTIST PROOF?
An Artist Proof is a blank card that is approved by the publishing manufacturer with a sealed stamp and is given to the artist in return for creating a sketch card. For example, the artist would be contracted to create and submit 5 original sketch cards. And, they will then be paid in x amount of money and also 10 APs - Artist Proofs.
The artist can then sell his artist proofs at any price. The sealed stamp from the publisher shows that it is an authentic AP raises the “financial value” of the card.
WHAT ARE ARTIST RETURNS?
Artist Returns are pretty much the same thing as an Artist Proof except that the artist submits for example the 5 contracted original sketch cards.
In return, the artist receives 2 of those sketch cards as sealed, stamped and approved cards. The artist can then sell these cards at the price they choose.
When was the first sketch card made?
It seems that the first sketch card was introduced in 1993. The mid-90’s were the Golden Age of Trading Cards.
As a kid, I loved the X-Men and was deep in the hobby of collecting X-Men related comics and trading cards. In 1996, the trading card market crashed because of the boycott of American sports by its athletes.
Today, collecting trading cards is a very niche hobby with sketch cards being a main aspect of it. However, trading card collecting is regaining popularity with the current Superhero trend in movies by Marvel and Disney.
Here are some of my favourite sketch cards:
Conclusion
Sketch cards are one-of-one in the world, an original art, they are raw, hand drawn, rare, and not mass produced.
In contrast to the beautifully printed glossy, shiny trading cards that you’re collecting in the card set, this card stands out because of its unique imperfections.
You can see the actual sketch lines underneath the ink or the paint visually revealing the different textures of the medium used as opposed to a mass produced printed trading card.
Check out these related posts:
Juggernaut Sketch Card Drawing Tutorial
Thor - King of Asgard Drawing Tutorial
Galactus Sketch Card Drawing Tutorial
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Find examples of my sketch cards here.
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