Hello from a cartography newbie in Japan!

[Amaya]

I recently got into cartography for my writing and am hoping to improve even though I know I have a long way to go!

Here's my first and only map so far!
Mappie_zps0c97b4b6.jpg

I know the geography on it is probably appalling, but it was still a lot of fun to make! I'm currently trying to research more about geography so I can remake it properly. Sorry if I have a lot of questions! I look forward to making many maps!

[Eilathen]

Hi Amaya,

Welcome to the Guild!

I really love your first map! Have some Rep. for a nice first map in your first post!
One thing i do miss on your map are rivers

And don't worry about lots of questions...the members on the CG are a very friendly and helpful bunch. I'm sure you'll receive answers to all your questions over time. So just keep them coming

[Amaya]

Thanks! And there are rivers on the map, they just blend in very well unfortunately as I made them a bit too small I think, and also I wanted an overview of the entire world.

I hope so. I'm not quite sure where to begin to be honest as I'm more of a writer than an artist, and my geography is terrible from what little I've read AFTER making my map.

[Daelin]

Heya! And welcome.

I also think this is a great start for a new cartographer! I particularly like the font and the little icons. Good first try!

Now, of course, it's obvious which tutorial you used, and Tear's is a great one. It really has the potential to generate some fantastic maps if you know how to work it. But as I've said before to other newcomers, tutorials only get you so far. Personally, I quickly get bored of doing maps in a style that is not my own. So my advice is, get to know Photoshop and cartography in general with the tuts, and when you feel ready, go the next step and do a map that is entirely your own, with your own techniques and ideas.

Keep at it!

[Amaya]

Heya! And welcome.

I also think this is a great start for a new cartographer! I particularly like the font and the little icons. Good first try!

Now, of course, it's obvious which tutorial you used, and Tear's is a great one. It really has the potential to generate some fantastic maps if you know how to work it. But as I've said before to other newcomers, tutorials only get you so far. Personally, I quickly get bored of doing maps in a style that is not my own. So my advice is, get to know Photoshop and cartography in general with the tuts, and when you feel ready, go the next step and do a map that is entirely your own, with your own techniques and ideas.

Keep at it!

Oh I didn't realize it was a well known tutorial. I really do want to experiment with different styles, but at the moment I'm focusing on believable geography, like I'm pretty sure my desert is on the wrong side of the continent and I might need to work on the mountain range position and such. So I'll probably fiddle around with this map for awhile and try to perfect it before focusing on styles. No sense in it looking pretty if it doesn't work realistically.

[Chick]

Hello Amaya, welcome to the Guild! Such a nice first map, I expect we'll see a lot of really good ones from you as you learn