Hello from Tully, New York: Newbie drawing rural area by hand

[dtfranke]

So glad to have found this site! I live in rural Tully, NY, and hope to learn how to draw it by hand so I can identify key places and events. Can you help me with these newly questions?

I think an "eagle's eye" view will be a lot easier to map. But that sacrifices topography. Not sure how to keep it simple and yet show the interesting hills and valleys around here.
I was thinking of starting by drawing the major roads and watercourses, then filling in from there. Is that a good way to start?
I am in love with medieval maps. Is there a way to sneak that flavor into the map from the start?

Thanks so much. I think a map is maybe the best way to learn to see this place where I just moved. All advice welcome!

Sincerely,

David in Tully

[Domino44]

Welcome to the Guild! This is truly the place for anyone wanting to enhance their mapmaking skills! I usually start my maps by adding all the natural elements first than I build off of that, for instance (land shape-mountains-rivers-forests-then settlements and roads). That is what has worked for me but I know there are lots of other ways to make a map. It also depends on the type of map that you are trying to create. I would encourage you to check out the tutorial section on this site, there is a lot you can learn from that.

[Chick]

Hello David, welcome to the Guild (from someone who actually knows where Tully is)

I lived in Vestal for years, and in Syracuse for a few, and Tully was one of my favorite stomping grounds for fossil hunting! Behind the Best Western right off the exit is a fabulous hillside for Devonian fossils.

To get started, head off to the Tutorials section as Domino said and start reading

[Meshon]

Omigosh fossil hunting maps! I'm so excited!

And welcome to the guild, dtfranke!

cheers,
Meshon

[Korash]

Welcome to The Guild, The Mappiest Place on the Web

When it come to mapping the real world, I would suggest, like you mentioned, drawing in the roads and other factors that will allow you to place Locals. once you have those, you can start trying out different ways to do the hills, vegitation, and other interesting locations. The roads and rivers are quite easy to place with Google Maps and others like it.

Now comes the interesting questions; How are you planning on drawing this? How familiar are you with maps and making maps? and how detailed do you plan on getting? Also what kind of references do you have?