Art Cards Defined

If you are new to the world of Art Cards, you might be wondering what in the world an Art Card is and why all the fuss.

In a nutshell, Art Cards are small works of art measuring 2.5"x3.5" - the size of your standard baseball card.
The only hard, fast rule when creating an Art Card is the size.
As to the mediums used, subject, style, and design.....the possibilities are endless!
Art Card designs and materials used to create them, are as varied as their artists.
In addition to traditional mediums such as watercolor, ink, acrylic, pencils, and pastels, I've come across many wonderful pieces made through quilting, wood burning, as well as full beaded cards!

While card designs are unlimited, and the specified size is a must, the only other guideline to follow is which category your Art Card fits in to.
Art Cards generally fall into one of 3 categories:

ATC (Artist Trading Card)- which is a card created for the SOLE PURPOSE of trading with a fellow artist.

ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals) - these are cards in either original form or reproduced in an open or limited edition, for the purpose of being sold. Reproductions (prints) MUST maintain the 2.5"x3.5" that the Art Card size requires. You may also make Art Card size prints from images that were originally created in a larger size.

Sketch Cards - a blank licensed trading card with an original work of art drawn onto it which is not reproduced. An artist of sketch cards is hired by a trading card company to create sketches of well known tv and movie property characters on the company's licensed cards. The cards are then returned to the company to be included as individual bonus pieces to be found within sold packs of trading cards.

You may have no doubt, seen these terms in the past and were not quite sure what they meant. I hope this has cleared up a bit of the confusion :)

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If you've not already done so, why not give creating these wee bits of art a try!
But be fair warned...they are very addictive!

Happy creating! :)