Bucketlist: Map of Middle Earth WIP

[Marc]

I think most of us have one, a bucketlist with maps they eventually want to (re-)create.
The map of Middle Earth has been at the top of mine for quite a while so I decided to finally give it a go and cross it off

I'll be working in GIMP with my trusty Wacom Intuos S.
Size I'll be working on will be A2 (7016 X 4960px) scaled down (4000 X 2828px) for presentation.
I'll be using the Weta version of Tolkien's map for reference.

WIP 1:

Middle Earth WIP 6.jpg

[Andarr]

This one map is on my radar too, but I am huge fan of Tolkiens work and my skill is not at level that i would try to do this one now.

I am rooting for you, and definitely will await your updates. Keep up the good work for Gandalfs sake!

It looks very promising right now.

[Cédric H.]

Looking good so far Marc!

I agree with you, I'm pretty sure must of us has a bucketlist of maps, mine contain a few from video games and books, but fan art kinda scares me a bit to be honest.

[ChickPea]

Nice start! Always love to see a new version of Middle Earth. Everyone puts their own spin on it. Looking forward to your next update.

[smiler127]

I've been building up to ME as well. It's like a grand daddy of maps for me. Looking forward to seeing how yours comes together! Great mountain placement so far!

[mapmage]

YESSS, preciousss... Great job, I always love seeing people recreate Middle Earth. Never gets old.

[Marc]

This one map is on my radar too, but I am huge fan of Tolkiens work and my skill is not at level that i would try to do this one now.

I am rooting for you, and definitely will await your updates. Keep up the good work for Gandalfs sake!

It looks very promising right now.

I'd just go for it without worrying to much about skill Andarr, there is so much to learn from this map
Thanks for the support, appreciate it!

Looking good so far Marc!

I agree with you, I'm pretty sure must of us has a bucketlist of maps, mine contain a few from video games and books, but fan art kinda scares me a bit to be honest.

It scares me aswell Cédric. This will be my third fanart map (Dark Crystal and Shire) and it's still a process while hoping to do the original justice, specially since there are a few fantastic versions around (and a lot of terribad ones aswell)

Nice start! Always love to see a new version of Middle Earth. Everyone puts their own spin on it. Looking forward to your next update.

Didn't want to disappoint so here's a new update

I've been building up to ME as well. It's like a grand daddy of maps for me. Looking forward to seeing how yours comes together! Great mountain placement so far!

Thanks Smiler!

YESSS, preciousss... Great job, I always love seeing people recreate Middle Earth. Never gets old.

Thanks Mapmage, indeed it never gets old....wait..it is already old


Latest update:
loads of rivers placed and I've adjusted a few colors.

Middle Earth WIP 7.jpg

[Marc]

Small update this time.
I've started adding some color to the mountains and I won't be placing big blocks of bright colors as a foundation for shading and highlights for the first time with this map.
Personally I am liking the result thusfar:

Middle Earth WIP 8.jpg

[Andarr]

I really like the way it looks... Can you tell me how did you do the rivers and coast? its some kind of layer management with some sort of outlining, or is it each line hand drawn?

[Marc]

I really like the way it looks... Can you tell me how did you do the rivers and coast? its some kind of layer management with some sort of outlining, or is it each line hand drawn?

Glad you like the work in progress Andarr
To answer your question: I draw each line by hand. The rivers are colored on a new layer under the linework, also by hand because the space between the lines is to small to use the bucketfiller