WIP the heptarchy of Seferedh

[- Max -]

Taking a break during some commissioned works, and for changing from Oraven's style, that I'm doing a lot lately, here's a new work in progress, the Heptarchy of Seferedh.
The map is 23x33". First step with land shape, coastlines and a scale border.

Sephered.jpg

[Diamond]

I already like it, just based on the land shapes. Has anyone ever told you that you give good landshape, Max?

[Veluux]

Love your work and all your different styles. Can't wait to see how this develops!

[Eilathen]

I second what Diamond said...your landshapes have a good flow.
It will be interesting to see where you go with this. A new style in development?

[- Max -]

Thanks guys
@ Diamond : not as good as yours, who are always inspiring!
@ Eilathen : I will be interested to know where I am going with it aswell

Anyway, updated with border, rhumblines and compasses.

Sephered2.jpg

[vorropohaiah]

i love how a little update from you is basically a finished map!

i like the subtle texture you have on the text - is there a texture layer on top of them or is the text opacity less than 100%?

[- Max -]

i love how a little update from you is basically a finished map!

i love how a little update from you is basically a finished map!

i like the subtle texture you have on the text - is there a texture layer on top of them or is the text opacity less than 100%?

I used to try a texture on text to give it a subtle distressed texture but most of the time I wasnt really satisfied with it. I tried something different (more efficient and easier to do) here, an inner glow:

Seferedh text effect.jpg

Obviously, size of the inner glow has to be set according to size text. Also the text opacity is 90%.
It works also on other elements, I used a similar effect on the border lines (mostly visible on the larger ones). Some pics for the comparison (without and with the effect) :
border1.jpg border2.jpg

[Chashio]

I used to try a texture on text to give it a subtle distressed texture but most of the time I wasnt really satisfied with it. I tried something different (more efficient and easier to do) here, an inner glow:

Yeah, I do that too, when it's not worth it to get out the ink and lettering pen. But I do an inner glow AND a texture overlay using a paper texture, both just low opacity... 12 and 7%... or about there. There's a mixture of digital and hand-inked lettering in both the Wyn and Callis maps... can't remember all of which was which.

You seem fluent in English. But a video tutorial wouldn't require audio comments... you can add them with text at the point of reference. Just saying. Though I shouldn't talk. I still can't seem to get a video from a raw state to edited and saved properly for upload.

Sorry to put you in the firing zone... except not really... You post such excellent maps on a regular basis... you had it coming.

[Diamond]

Sorry to put you in the firing zone... except not really... You post such excellent maps on a regular basis... you had it coming.

^^ This. ^^

[Ilanthar]

I love it already !
Your borders are just the kind I like : not to complex/present and pretty nevertheless. I got to say that I'm impress of the way you do your coastlines.

Does the heptarchy cover the north and south bank, as a nation built around a trading sea?