WIP Vardenia & Urenia

[- Max -]

Hey all,

I sometimes need some breath between commisioned works and I decided to work on a fictionnal map inspired by some late 16th century style (which I didn't see that much around). I started with the overall map design (background texture, border, hand-drawn cartouches and landshapes).

Vardenia1.jpg

[Raptori]

Gorgeous style so far

[Ilanthar]

Cool, I already like the layout and idea, Mr Massimo Plaza !

[- Max -]

Thanks! Updated with colors added on cartouches and work on coastlines and seas.

Vardenia2.jpg

[Will Phillips]

Thanks! Updated with colors added on cartouches and work on coastlines and seas.

Vardenia2.jpg

Alright, I got to know how you did the dot work in the oceans. Surely there's a brush setting at play there, because placing them all individually would have driven me mad.

[eViLe_eAgLe]

Alright, I got to know how you did the dot work in the oceans. Surely there's a brush setting at play there, because placing them all individually would have driven me mad.

My guess is that it's a pattern, or a brush set, it doesn't look terribly hard to reproduce.
Also, I very much like that city, it adds a nice touch and just looks plain great!

[Diamond]

What??? You need to take a breath??

I'm really liking this so far. I think the only thing I'm not 100% sold on is the stipple in the oceans combined with the lines along the coasts - the two elements together feel jarring to me, but not to the point where they ruin the map. Probably because both are very subtle.

[- Max -]

Thanks

I think the only thing I'm not 100% sold on is the stipple in the oceans combined with the lines along the coasts - the two elements together feel jarring to me

I was inspired by some Ortelius maps where I saw that combination and I kinda liked it, well, so I did Anyway, here's an update with mountains, forests and rivers drawn.

Vardenia3.jpg

[Skieroe]

Truly an inspiring style, I can't wait to see the next update

[Eilathen]

Hmm...will be interesting to see how this will turn out. I like the landshapes.