• On The Map - Interviews with Cartographers 7

    Published on 06-02-2016 06:26 AM

    Continuing our series of interviews with cartographers, this month we're talking to Jared Blando,
    also known as The Red Epic. He's known for his unique style, detail, and creative patterning and textures.
    We asked him 7 questions, as we will in each interview.


    Hyranden, The Eastern Lands by Jared Blando


    1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
    I'm a freelance illustrator and I've been primarily working for about 10 yrs in the RPG, boardgame/wargame, and fantasy media industry. I'm 31, married, and I live in Portland OR. I'm a Tolkienite and have been since I first picked up the Hobbit in 6th grade. I love 80's movies, cats, and a good bar.

    2) How did you get into mapping?
    I sort of fell into mapping when I first started getting into illustration. When I first graduated school, I hit the ground running, using Deviant art, email and the web to scour for potential clients. I had a few that stuck with me for a while, giving me steady work either doing conceptual art or maps for startup companies and independent clients. I first started doing mapping seriously when I got my first map order batch from Paizo for their Pathfinder books. Those encounter maps (prolly over 70 or 80?) over the course of 3 years or so did a lot to further my career in the industry.

    Myth Map by Jared Blando


    3) Do you create maps professionally, or for fun? If you've sold your work, how did you get started? Any fun/horror stories to share about commissioned work?
    I create maps professionally, and went full freelance in early 2008. To be successful, you need to find a niche and exploit it. At the time (2006) I was taking any commissions I could, from conceptual work, to fully rendered pieces and such. However, when I picked up most RPG or fantasy books, I felt like I could do equal or better. So I redid my portfolio, threw it up on my website, and then emailed every game company I could to get jobs. I also made it a point go to GenCon with my portfolio and art drop at every company I could. Wizards took note, and I received my first large map order job. From there, I just kept building my rep and painting up every piece I could get my hands on. In the beginning it was a mix of figurative work and maps, but as my map style started to evolve and come out, more and more clients took not, and I gradually became the "Map Guy".

    Loreslinger by Jared Blando


    4) What kind of computer setup/equipment/software do you have? Any advice or tips for learners?
    I have a high end PC for gaming and working, and an Intuos 4 Wacom Tablet. I have a glass corner desk with a separate laptop for watching or listening to music/video, a scanner, a large format printer and a good sound system. I use Photoshop CS4 and sometimes Photoshop CC (It has some interesting features that CS4 lacks, though its handles large files worse on multi chip processors). As for advice, I'd say a tablet is very useful and, though it can be an expensive investment, it's well worth it. Get a decent large monitor, and read lots of books! Check out old maps from history, and borrow or try to integrate some of that into your own work. Stray outside your comfort zone and try new stuff. Your style will develop in time. Also, don't pigeon hole yourself into just maps, you will soon burn out and grow to find that it's more like work than fun. GO to life drawing classes, paint outside, try new media, and don't limit yourself to the computer.

    Narnia Map by Daniel Reeve


    5) What are your favourite kind of maps or favourite map makers from history?
    I'm a fan of old Italian maps from the Medici map room in Florence. They are all hand done and have a certain charm to them. All of them are breathtaking in person. I suppose my favorite would be Daniel Reeve, the man who did all of the the maps for Chronicles of Narnia. He is a master calligrapher and his maps are all hand done with watercolor and color inks. He does what other people do on the computer for real with a very tight technique and controlled hand. While I do traditional maps as well and sell them at conventions and such, I have much to learn about calligraphy and technique, and Daniel Reeve is the benchmark for creative and technical excellence in my opinion. Also, I feel the best cartographers do other work aside from just maps, and those that can draw and paint from life well have a bit of a creative edge on those that can't. Daniel is also a fine figurative illustrator, and thus this translates quite well into his map work.

    Grand Lodge of Absolom [for Paizo] by Jared Blando


    6) What do you consider your best piece of work? How about your favourite, if different?
    I consider my best piece to be one of my own creations from my own world, Hyranden: The Eastern Lands [first image] or Hyranden: The Western Lands. I first did the Hyranden: The Western Lands [shown below], but the East is an evolved form of that technique and is much finer and more detailed. The world is a bit better thought out as well, and I think its evokes the tone that I was going for. The palette is also different and very muted as opposed to the brightness of the west.

    One of my favorite pieces would have to be the Grand Lodge of Absolom for Paizo's Pathfinder [shown above]. I just always liked how this one came out, of color and design elements wise.

    Hyranden The Western Lands by Jared Blando


    7) Where can we find you on the web?
    A few places... My website - TheRedEpic.com
    My Big Cartel site (For purchasing print, digital downloads and such).
    And I have a Patreon account (for supporting me monthly for large story driven painterly battlemaps)