Ruin

[ThomasR]

Hi fellows,

Here's my latest commissioned work (13th, that's a lucky number to me ... ok, to most of people). "Ruin" is an upcoming book by author Brandon Berryhill. The map shows a world on the brink of total ecological collapse hence the decaying color palette. I used very few colors and very desaturated ones. All was done in photoshop and I have to address special thanks to Abu Lafia who helped me a great deal as I stumbled upon a big rock of labeling on my way to the completion of the map.

Ruin fixed post.jpg
© Thomas REY - All rights reserved - 2017

As always, feel free to comment and critic.

[J.Edward]

Very nice Thomas
Love the color scheme, bogs/swamps and fields.
Two things that I like less would be the border, due to the layer style, I believe.
It looks like it is on color burn possibly.
And then the choice of font.
That font is nice for a display font, for a title, but for location labels it feels a bit too busy and harder to read.
I do understand the desire to use it for the feel of foreignness that it conveys.
On any single location it looks fine, but when you get a bunch of them closer together the visual problems arise.
All in all though, it is a splendid map Thomas.

edit - drat, must spread rep.

[ThomasR]

Very nice Thomas
Love the color scheme, bogs/swamps and fields.
Two things that I like less would be the border, due to the layer style, I believe.
It looks like it is on color burn possibly.
And then the choice of font.
That font is nice for a display font, for a title, but for location labels it feels a bit too busy and harder to read.
I do understand the desire to use it for the feel of foreignness that it conveys.
On any single location it looks fine, but when you get a bunch of them closer together the visual problems arise.
All in all though, it is a splendid map Thomas.

edit - drat, must spread rep.

Thanks John ! About the border, it's plain black set to overlay with and overlaid frieze. I tried some moucharaby pattern but it did not work, I tried this "wicker" style and tried darkening it to stay tuned with the map. Leveling the parchment below might have helped not make it look golden. Anyways it's done.

About the font, the client wanted something arabic-ish (most of the culture of the land is of arab style) and this one, XXI arabian onenightstand, was the one with the most character and legibility I could find. Talking with Abu Lafia, we agreed that the links and dots made it a bit hard to read sometimes but I decided to stick with it and find ways to make it more legible (uncurving some labels, playing with an outer glow at first, then a stroke, then outer glow again and finally several outer glows with different settings). Inspired by your maps, I wanted to use only one font (that's my first time). The main problem to me is the lakes region but that's where the adventure happens

And thanks again, both for the compliment and for the advice on the font

I like this map. The colour palette works very well for the feel you're trying to give it. John's comments make sense, but, in my opinion, I don't think either the border or the font detract heavily from the map.

Wingshaw

Thanks Wingshaw ! About the colors, I used so few, that's almost disturbing when you look at the map without it's parchment background (hail the blending modes !).

Its a labour of love! All that fantastic detail.

I sort of fall between John and Wingshaw with the border. I don't dislike it, but I think it might look better without the gold effect - just line work on the parchment. I kind of like the font

Thanks a lot Sue ! I tried the frieze without the overlay and it was a bit too discret to my taste. Maybe I should try some middle ground option...

The map looks great Thomas! I like your choice of colors. Really down my alley. The font also works very well and the terrain is done beautifully. All in all just a great map (:

Thanks Daniel ! I knew the subtle colors would suit you I did one exception and brightened the lakes (because they're highly salty). About the terrain, I'm quite happy with it, especially the rift's lips.

Very cool map but I especially like the font, it is a great fit.

Thanks QED42 !

Snagged for my inspiration folder and repped.

I love your mountains as always, and the forest is awesome! That's what I'm trying to accomplish with my forests. Thanks for another great example for me to study.

As far as the border - that's actually one of my favorite parts of the map; I wouldn't change a thing. I kind of see where John's coming from r.e. the font/labels, but to me it doesn't really look too busy. It helps that you used different colors.

I do have a question - where it says 'Great Underground River' - is the label actually following the course of an actual underground river? Or is it meant to be a label for the river leading from Freeport to Trest?

Did I read right ? One of my maps in Diamond's inspiration folder ! Man, you made my day ! And it makes me happy to be able to give back to you a little, your maps have always been inspirations for me.

Thanks for the mountains, as I said a few weeks ago, I'll have to make them evolve soon. Thanks for the forest, I guess what hits the spot is the shading. What exactly are you trying to get with them ? And thanks for the labels and border.

About the West Underground River, I'm a bit baffled too. Caught that I was into the job, my daughter and the commissions, I completely forgot to ask the client if there was some mix up. I'll have to check and tell you. The river leading from Freeport to Trest is not actually a river but I guess you'll have to wait till the book is out (it might be what you liken you can cheek here).

Joli carte ! Les couleurs désaturées rendent bien l'effet voulu

Merci beaucoup, j'ai un peu galeré au départ mais les tests ont vite été concluants, il fallait jouer l'économie. En plus ça collait à l'univers.

Wow! Great map!!

Grazie mille signora !

Great map, love the colours.
I agree with J.E about the font. Looks good as a big labels for major namesm but small size and couple near each other is a bit messy.
Congratz, its awesome map.

Edit. Can't rep yet, sorry.

Thanks Voolf !

[Wingshaw]

I like this map. The colour palette works very well for the feel you're trying to give it. John's comments make sense, but, in my opinion, I don't think either the border or the font detract heavily from the map.

Wingshaw

[Mouse]

Its a labour of love! All that fantastic detail.

I sort of fall between John and Wingshaw with the border. I don't dislike it, but I think it might look better without the gold effect - just line work on the parchment. I kind of like the font

[DanielHasenbos]

The map looks great Thomas! I like your choice of colors. Really down my alley. The font also works very well and the terrain is done beautifully. All in all just a great map (:

[QED42]

Very cool map but I especially like the font, it is a great fit.

[Diamond]

Snagged for my inspiration folder and repped.

I love your mountains as always, and the forest is awesome! That's what I'm trying to accomplish with my forests. Thanks for another great example for me to study.

As far as the border - that's actually one of my favorite parts of the map; I wouldn't change a thing. I kind of see where John's coming from r.e. the font/labels, but to me it doesn't really look too busy. It helps that you used different colors.

I do have a question - where it says 'Great Underground River' - is the label actually following the course of an actual underground river? Or is it meant to be a label for the river leading from Freeport to Trest?

[Alnomcys]

Joli carte ! Les couleurs désaturées rendent bien l'effet voulu

[FrancescaBaerald]

Wow! Great map!!