Illustrating The Chariot
I wasn’t raised to be a fighter. Yet, I somehow have a fighting spirit. My urge to fight flares when I hear someone say something mean about someone else, or disparage my hometown of Cleveland (no Cleveland jokes, please!).
In modern psychology, anger is often described as secondary emotion that masks another emotion, such as fear, sadness, or disappointment. Sometimes anger gives us the energy we need to fight for ourselves and for others. To me, that’s what the chariot card is all about.
The meanings of The Chariot card include:
Determination
Action
Getting ready for battle
Acting swiftly
I know fighting isn’t for everyone, so think of this metaphorically. Here is a bumper sticker I saw the week I sketched this card (if you look closely you can see my reflection):
Bumper sticker I saw the week I sketched The Chariot card.
Examples from other tarot artists
The Chariot card is usually illustrated with a Roman-type warrior in armor, standing on a chariot they are about to ride into battle. The chariot card represents those times in our lives when we need to gird our loins, put on our armor, fight for what’s right.
First, here are some examples of The Chariot cards by various artists of tarot decks I own and use myself.
The Chariot cards from my collection of tarot decks, clockwise from top left: Rider-Waite Tarot, illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith; Modern Witch Tarot Deck by Lisa Sterle; The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans; The Gentle Tarot by Mari in the Sky; Rainbow Heart Tarot by Rachel Rosenkoetter; and The Reclaimed Tarot, ReClaim it! PDX, collage by Khayman Short.
A new chariot emerges
I wanted to reimagine this card with a modern twist. As I write this, it is spring of 2025. Progressive movements all around the United States are suffering losses at the hands of conservative politicians in power. I wanted to create a chariot that we progressive, pro justice fighters, could ride into battle. One that would protect us, and roll over our competition (again, this is a metaphor… nobody is rolling over anyone).
When I meditated on this card, the image that came to me made me giggle. What I saw in my mind’s eye was this: a hot pink monster truck that could roll over injustice and smile while doing it. On top waves a flag that proclaims “no justice, no peace.”
Drawing a monster truck (?)
I have never been to a monster truck rally, so I had to look up some photos of these vehicles to spark my imagination. What struck me was the height of the wheels!
Here are my sketches and the final line drawing:
Sketch process from left to right: Pencil sketch from my sketchbook; final sketch with colored pencil; final linework drawing with Apple Pencil on iPad.
The final illustration
Below is my final illustration for The Chariot card. I do wish I could buy one. Can’t you see me driving this down the streets of Portland, my pink hair waving in the breeze?
My final illustration of The Chariot: Walnut ink, Ecoline liquid watercolor, on 100% cotton hot press watercolor paper.
Process notes
To protect the white eye and teeth areas, I used Winsor & Newton masking fluid. I used walnut ink for the muddy ground. I painted the rest with Ecoline liquid watercolor and paint brush pens, blending with a water brush as I went. I added my line drawing on top of the watercolor layer using Photoshop, which makes the lines crisp and clear.
Next up: Strength 💪
The next card in the Major Arcana I am illustrating is Strength. It’s one of my favorites so far!
What do you think of this card?
Leave me a comment below
I read every comment, and I love to hear from you!
Footnotes
Materials notes from this post
Blick Hot Press 100% cotton watercolor paper; EcoLine liquid watercolor paint and brush pens; Winsor & Newton masking fluid; Winsor & Newton walnut ink. I use an Epson Workforce Pro printer to print my drawings onto watercolor paper, using their water-resistant Durabrite ink.
Learn about tarot
Want to learn more about tarot? I highly recommend the book Modern Tarot: Connecting with Your Higher Self through the Wisdom of the Cards by Michelle Tea.
A note about Ai and this project
I do not use Ai (artificial intelligence) to write any of the content for this blog, my other blog Behind the Scenes, or this website.
