Middle Earth Map in watercolors

[Saironwen]

MiddleEarth_Saironwen_Eng.jpg
Hi! Nice to meet you all, I wanted to share this version of the Middle Earth in watercolors.

The frame is done digitally because I wasnt sure what to add. Since its one of my first worldmaps i ever made.
It took me about a week, and I based my work on Christopher Tolkien map, using a grid. Since I wanted to add more details to the buildings, i made some landmarks bigger and that made the scale kind of wonky haha
Feel free to leave some *kind* feedback on how to improve
I want to keep adding world maps to my collection like Osten Ard and Roshar

[Redrobes]

Yes thats nice. Its unusual to see such a popular black and white map done with color.

[Saironwen]

Yes thats nice. Its unusual to see such a popular black and white map done with color.

Thank you! If Im being honest, I always had to resist the urge to paint the book hahaha

[wminish]

Nice watercolour work, I really like the colour variation in the landscape and the shadows and highlights are very well executed. If I were to give one piece of feedback I would say that the border doesn't feel like it matches the map very well. I think it would look great with a simple black outline with some swirly bits to match that striking black text.

[XCali]

Really really nice map!

But I have to agree with Wminish. The border doesn't fit the map. A simpler one would have worked better, or better, let the map stand on its own. It is definitely good enough.

[Saironwen]

maopa_sinmarco.jpg

Ohh Thank you so much for the feedback @XCali and @wminish !
This is how the map looks like without the frame. Ill work on a diferent version

[wminish]

That map is looking really good without the frame. For designing a new one I would keep it thin, simple, and pushed to the outside of the image as far as possible. The lovely watercolour is the real strength of this piece so make sure you don't cover up too much of it.

[Saironwen]

aww thank ypou so much! ill keep in mind that

That map is looking really good without the frame. For designing a new one I would keep it thin, simple, and pushed to the outside of the image as far as possible. The lovely watercolour is the real strength of this piece so make sure you don't cover up too much of it.

[XCali]

Much much better!

If you could tone down the white around the rings, then it would be even better.
And just saying, but the text looks out of place since they purely look digital and the rest of the map look painted. (But there are ways to remedy it. Like brushing the text with an eraser or something else.)

I just took a quick mess around with a small part just to give an idea.

Mordor Preview.jpeg
I took a bolder text, and used a rough sparse brush to gently erase the edges around the text. Hope this gives you a better idea how to blend digital with a hand crafted map.

[Saironwen]

Ohhh how cool! thank you!
I will try with that
I already did a simple black margin and looks so good hahahah ill keep improving it
Thank you!