Nov/Dec 2020 Challenge: The Kingdom of Valmadar

[Ilanthar]

So, looks like I'm teaming with - JO - this year!

I sent me this brief (roughly) :

"The theme would be a map of a kingdom (or a region of that kingdom) that has the geographic particularity of being the habitat and breeding place of dragons. It could be a kingdom perched at the top of a mountain range (like Nepal) or also a peninsula on the edge of the ocean, or a northern island... it's up to you and your drawing preferences....
In the world in which this country is situated, dragons are intelligent animals, endowed with magic, but without being "superior beings". The kingdom in question has learned, over thousands of years, to live in harmony with the dragons and to tame them, in a way, even though one is never completely in control of one's dragon. This know-how is the first economic resource of the country: the training and export of dragons.
But it also makes this country a target... neighboring kingdoms, and even large distant empires, dream of taking control of the place and its inhabitants, in order to seize this precious resource (military and economic). A covetousness that led the kingdom to build a whole network of fortresses, walls and castles, in order to defend its borders and the accesses to its core : the external accesses of the kingdom (passes, ports, isthmuses, etc.), the main cities, the places where dragons live and breed.
The technological level of the world is comparable to the Middle Ages as we know it. Militarily, no gunpowder yet, but crossbows, trebuchets, etc., are used."

So, I'm thinking of a mountainous peninsula with fjords.
### Latest WIP ###
dragonland.jpg

Comments are more than welcome ;-)

[Tiana]

Nice start, reminds me of Italy/Greece region a bit.

[Bogie]

Nice coastline !

[- JO -]

I already love this map !

[Ilanthar]

Thanks guys !

I've started to work the land, going for a smaller size than my usual mountains, somehow.
### Latest WIP ###
Valmadar.jpg

[- JO -]

WOW ! Those mountains and forests.... Amazing !

What a precision !

I love the scale you're giving to the map : the country is a big one, and that's impressive !

I just hope it doesn't give you too much work !

[Ilanthar]

Thanks a lot ! Well, don't worry, the fault would be on me .

Small update of the night.
### Latest WIP ###
Valmadar.jpg

[- JO -]

Again, I’m fascinated by your forests : a few stroke and they look so real !
The high tower for dragons in the castles is a really great idea : that brings « dragonry » into the map

[Ilanthar]

The high tower for dragons in the castles is a really great idea : that brings « dragonry » into the map

Still very much in progress. I think I'll do proper tests later.

Some more mountains, mainly.
### Latest WIP ###
Valmadar.jpg

[- JO -]

I love to see your process... the way you draw mountains, and the way you color the landmass! Good ideas !