Bianco Nero Tarot - hand-drawn ink style in black and white
Black and white tarot strips away distraction. What remains is line, form and contrast. This deck by Arwen Lynch-Poe and Marco Proietto uses that limitation deliberately. No colour here means more focus on what the card shows.
The imagery leans on the classic Rider-Waite-Smith structure, but the style is older. The ink drawings recall Renaissance engravings and woodcuts, with clear contours and hatching that gives depth.
What the cards show
Each card is hand-drawn in a style that references the historical Visconti tarot. The lines are sharp, the details striking enough to pick up symbolism directly. No background colours pulling attention. Only black, white and the grey tones between them.
The Major Arcana follow the familiar images: The Hanged Man, Death, The Tower. Recognisable enough to work immediately, but with a distinct hand. The Minor Arcana are fully illustrated, which means every card shows a scene rather than symbols alone.
The cards are printed on heavy cardstock with a matte finish and rounded corners. The format is standard: 70 x 120 mm. They shuffle smoothly and feel sturdy.
How this deck stands apart
No colour means no emotional charge through hue or tone. That forces you to look differently. You notice composition sooner, where figures point, how light and shadow are distributed. This works well if you want to observe more and judge less quickly.
The 64-page guidebook offers brief meanings for each card and a unique spread: the Goals Spread. This layout is designed specifically to clarify goals and identify steps.
Pick one card and look only at the lines first. Where do they lead? Where does tension arise? Read the meaning only after. Black and white asks for this rhythm.
About Arwen Lynch-Poe and Marco Proietto
Arwen Lynch-Poe is a tarot teacher and author. She developed the conceptual side of the deck and wrote the guidebook. Marco Proietto drew all the cards. His specialisation lies in classical techniques such as engraving and ink drawing, which he combines with a clean, contemporary execution.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Cardstock: Heavy with matte finish
- Corners: Rounded
- Guidebook language: English
- Guidebook pages: 64
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
- Designer: Arwen Lynch-Poe
- Illustrator: Marco Proietto
Questions we often get
Does a black and white deck work differently than a deck in colour?
Yes. Colour activates associations and emotions that are sometimes faster than your observation. Black and white forces you to look at form, direction and composition. That can be clearer, but requires a bit more patience.
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
Yes. The structure is based on Rider-Waite-Smith, so all standard meanings from tarot books apply. The guidebook offers brief but clear explanations for each card.
