Making "Starlight"

2021 was a year when many of us were still feeling isolated and uncertain. I wanted this card to feel hopeful but also acknowledge that quiet, contemplative mood.

The concept was simple: a small village at night, with a single brilliant star providing light and hope. No busy activity, no crowds—just stillness and the promise of something greater.

Technically, this was one of my more challenging cards because painting darkness is surprisingly difficult. You can't just use black everywhere—that looks flat and dead. Instead, I built up layers of deep blue, purple, and a little green to create a sky that feels alive.

The star itself went through several iterations. I tried painting rays, a glow effect, even a simple point of white. In the end, I used a tiny bit of gold leaf—just enough to catch the light when you hold the card.