Megan Lindholm's World

[Crooty]

This is a map that was commissioned about two years ago for Megan Lindholm's (aka Robin Hobb) website. However, only a small part of it was finally used on the site when it was updated at the beginning of last November (she ended up using a wordpress template, it was easier for her to update). Anyway it was fun to do, and a great honour to work for someone I admire so much!

On the WIP file you can see part of the mapping process (actually these are the previews I sent to Megan for comments / critiques).

Some parts are modelled after the real world, can you guess which and where?

ML_Map_flat_4800.jpg ML_Map_WIP_all_800.jpg

[torstan]

Wow, that's an excellent commission. I love the books.

Is this all hand drawn? The coastlines top right are lovely.

[Crooty]

Yup, all done by hand. I used a real-world model for the coastline you mentioned... ;-)

[Ramah]

Beautiful map, Crooty. Great stuff.

[arsheesh]

Very nice work Crooty, thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

-Arsheesh

[Matrim]

Wow! I wish I got to work for one of the great minds of fantasy! I envy you..

One point of critique however, to me the perspective is somewhat distorted. My eyes tell me that the snow lies in a valley, and the rivers lie on mountain-ridges, so I have to force my mind to see where the light is supposed to come from. Original, but counterintuitive.

[Crooty]

You're right, I always thought it was more logical to have the light of the sun coming from the South (Northern Hemisphere) but now I looked at an official map of the Swiss Alps and the light comes from the North...

[ravells]

Beautiful work, Crooty, or looking at that coastline, should I say, Muy bien! Have to say, my eye got confused about the lighting too.

[Crooty]

No, no hablo español there... ;-)
What did you have in mind?

Look further South...