Haivian - a small fishing village...

[mearrin69]

Hi all,
Been away for quite a while thanks to work and a bad bout with the flu and life generally getting in the way. I've got a few commissions going but haven't made a lot of progress lately. Lost my mapping mojo or something. Anyway, here's a little side project I started to hopefully kickstart myself.

So, this is Haixian - a small coastal fishing village near my campaign world's city Haibianr. I haven't put a lot of thought into it really but I've been thinking I'd like to feature a fishing village in a future adventure - this brought on after watching Wild China's bit on a pretty interesting one in our world's China. I had been thinking of something involving a dragon of some sort and some sort of millennial visit. Recently been getting into Call of Cthulhu, however, and have just reread Shadow Over Innsmouth. Maybe the folks that live here have "that Haixian look" or something. Reckon I gotta have the Deep Ones in my world somewhere, after all...

This started in RPG Citymap Generator and then went to PS. Still working on all of it but this rough has the basics. Most of the roofs (stand-in texture at the moment) will likely be some sort of thatching (seaweed and dung is apparently authentic). Trying to build up the impression of a rocky cliffside with one "get down" toward the middle, where most of the boats put in. Will add lots of doo-dads like gardens and walls once I get the basics in there.

Probably work on this one intermittently, however, as I have my adventure and several maps for others to get done. Just wanted to drop in, say hi, and share some WIP. Comments and suggestions are most welcome! Missed you kids...
M

[Sapiento]

Simple, but looks great!

[Katto]

Yes, you can identify the mearrin look immediatly

[jtougas]

Good to see you M Another great start.

[Dyluth]

The detail you've shown in this map is just incredible, great job indeed! If I may ask, how did you achieve such high detail in the dirt and grass terrain? Was it simply a lot of layering and effects? Or did you painstakingly paint the dirt and grass by hand?

[mearrin69]

Hey. Thanks for the appreciation. I haven't had a chance to finish this one yet because of other things but I eventually will!

For the ground I simple use multiple layers filled with textures (or use the Pattern Overlay layer style, either way works) and then paint into a mask to expose that texture where I want it. I tend to use a set of grunge brushes I picked up for this painting, at less than full opacity. My layers are typically a cracked mud texture filling the map area, a sand texture, a dirt texture, and one or two grass or vegetation textures. Over that I'll use some more defined paint blobs on layers with vegetation textures (sometimes with bevel/emboss and/or a drop shadow) to suggest shrubs and larger plants. Trees are done similarly. I've been working unsuccessfully on a tutorial but haven't had much time to devote to it.
M