Shape of my Heart

Shape of my Heart by Sting

He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He doesn't play for respect

He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

He may play the jack of diamonds
He may lay the queen of spades
He may conceal a king in his hand
While the memory of it fades

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart.
That's not the shape, shape of my heart.

And if I told you that I loved you
You'd maybe think there's something wrong
I'm not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is one

Those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear are lost

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
That's not the shape of my heart
That's not the shape, shape of my heart.

This illustration was something completely unexpected and quite amazing; from it's process to what it entailed for me as I thought it up, sketched it and finished it up, it's become quickly one of my favourites.
After I'd done Rogue ([link]), many of you asked for a Gambit from me, and so here he is; and definitely looking good in my opinion. I'd forgotten how much I liked this character until I started throwing the first lines on the paper... but I absolutely fell for his story and his whole persona right away again! I remembered the novel I'd collected once, drawn by Lee Weeks; an amazing portrayal of Gambit and of course, the Jim Lee years came flooding back as well...

The lyrics of that song from Sting I think fit the character to a tee, and they also reflect a bit of how I feel these days and added a lot of flavour whilst I was colouring this image (it was on repeat during the whole process)...

There's also another interesting detail: the resemblance this illustration has, in certain aspects, to my Rogue one. The subtle eyes looking down at their hands, the mood and overall feeling of overwhelm they have regarding their fates... but there's also the two sides and whilst she's up in the sky, he's very ground level, very dirty and 'real', if you will; while the southern belle seems something unreachable...

So, I really hope you enjoy this one, because I certainly have and if you can listen to the song whilst you have a look, I assure you it will give it another twist!

Nic.-