World of Curunir

[pasis]

I’m starting a new map project now and I’m going to do the things a bit differently than before. I usually start with the continent and rivers etc, but not this time. I’m going to expand the small map I created while writing a tutorial for Photoshop: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=4405
I don’t have any idea yet if this is going to be a small or a big map or what kind of civilization there is. So I’ll just let the feeling take me and let’s see where it ends.
Here is the first sample I have ready and I’m now expanding it further.

[bartmoss]

I like the style, but maybe try giving the forests a bit of bumpiness? They look very flat compared to the mountain style.

[pasis]

I like the style, but maybe try giving the forests a bit of bumpiness? They look very flat compared to the mountain style.

I added some rougness under the forest. I this what you ment?

[Ascension]

I think that's exactly what he meant. Dude, that looks awesome.

[pasis]

I played around a bit to create crumpled paper look on the map and here is what I got. I'm not sure exactly what I did as I tried so many things and I need to do some reverse engineering...But what do you think, would you prefer normal look without any effects or do you like this crumpled look?

[lisze]

I really like the crumpled look, especially out over the water. Somehow, the map feels more real with it, I think.

[Flaterectomy]

That's beautiful, I really love how you made the trees and the mountains.

The only things I can think of that you might want to look at is maybe adding some variety in ground soil; it's mostly a savanah-type sand surface, right? Perhaps if you add some grassy patches - local weather conditions permitting - it would break things up a bit.

Secondly, the town on the river seems a little stuck-on, so to speak - I think this is mostly due to the drop-shadow and the smooth line where the town;s buildings follow the river's curve. I would suggest removing the drop shadow layer effect (which I assume you have used), and painting in the shading by hand, so you can more easily reflect a difference in heigh for the buildings, and leave a slightly more jagged line of structures along the riverbed with perhaps some of the sand there exposed instead of obscured in the shadows.

I Love the map though, and I am looking forward to seeing more of it!

[Ascension]

I'd say normal version...the crumpled paper only shows in the ocean and it turns the ocean into something more of a fresco...interesting idea to play around with tho.

[Soixante]

Great style! I think I prefer the one without the crumpled paper effect, though.

[pasis]

I have not expanded much further out from this area yet, but I added some new tricks to add more variation to the ground. So I have added some harsh ground and grass as well. And I added small fields near the town. So small improvements so far only, but next thing is to expand the area.