TCG Log #13 - If Pokémon, MTG, and Fortnite Had a Baby…
A behind-the-scenes look at this week’s wild card art sprint
Hey friends,
Last week, I realized something critical: my card creation pipeline was just way too slow. If I continued at that pace, I’d never build the rich mythology I’ve envisioned—or deliver cards fast enough to keep you all excited. So, I dedicated this week to improving the card-making process, diving deep into the creative tunnel—the kind that wakes you up at 3 am, day after day, brimming with ideas.
The question guiding my exploration:
“How can I create amazing cards faster… without losing the magic?”
Here’s what happened next:
🧙 MTG Style — My Roots
This is the original AceTCG aesthetic—painterly, mythic, richly detailed. It’s beautiful, and I still love it. But the truth is, it’s painstakingly slow to create.
⚡️ Pokémon Style — Fast, Fun, Nostalgic
Seeking speed, I returned to my Pokémon roots—something lighter, more playful, and stylistically bold. Unexpectedly, when I showed these cards to my partner, she lit up with excitement. This reaction was something I’d rarely seen with the original style.
The Pokémon-inspired look was nostalgic, quick to produce, and had a joyful vibe. Even better, it resonated with a wider audience—especially women, who previously hadn’t connected as strongly with the original AceTCG style.
🌈 MTG x Fortnite — Vibrant, Playful, Mythic
Then, I stumbled into a major creative breakthrough. Inspired by the visual brilliance of Arcane and Spider-Verse, I experimented with mixing 2D and 3D aesthetics, bold colors, and hand-painted textures. My first piece in this new style was the vividly colored Shoggoth—and honestly, I loved it. The playful yet edgy design felt like the perfect balance between mythology and meme culture.
🤖 Choosing the Right AI Tool
Quick tech aside: each AI tool has unique strengths:
• GPT-4o: Ideal for clarity and coherence. Lousy aesthetic.
• Niji: Exceptional at expressive character art. Difficult to prompt.
• Midjourney V7: Good coherence and art (especially environments). But not great at either.
Key lesson this week: select the right tool for each specific job. It makes everything easier and faster.
🎯 The Big Aha: Mini-Sets
The biggest revelation this week: I don’t need to commit to just one art style. Instead, I’ll release monthly mini-sets of around 30 cards each, all created in a cohesive style. This accomplishes several goals:
• Accelerates card creation by using the best style and tool for each theme.
• Allows experimentation to see what resonates most with you.
• Brings variety and freshness to the project.
With that in mind, here’s a back-to-back comparison of the same subject in different styles:
🎁 Patreon Sneak Peek
To tie into the mini-set approach, I’m setting up a Patreon. Subscribers will receive free digital booster packs each month, aligned with that month’s mini-set.
The Patreon isn't live yet—but if you'd like early access when the first packs drop, reply and let me know you're interested!
🚀 What's Next?
Currently, I'm polishing the card frames and designing a fresh card back for a physical mini-set, debuting at Edge Esmeralda. If you're attending, you’ll get an exclusive first look.
❤️ Why I’m Building This
“I’m creating a modern mythology—stories, art, and games designed to help us thrive in the age of machines. Mythology isn't something ancient; it's how we find meaning. Cards are simply my chosen medium.”
Let me know which art style resonates with you—or what you'd like to see more of. Your feedback shapes this journey.
With metta,
—Colton