July / Aug 2016 Lite Challenge: Apprehension of Toah "Two-Steps"

[mixerbach]

Thanks very much for your comment, Abu Lafia. Being pretty new at all of this mapping stuff (really graphics work of any kind), I find it much easier to identify "the what" of something I don't like. For example, "The border of this map bothers me," or, "I don't like how this bridge looks," are things that I might think while critiquing my own map. What I constantly struggle with is "the why!" WHY don't I like this border or that bridge when I've liked others?

I brought that up because you just, rather adroitly, put into words for me all the things I couldn't regarding the rivers! I have erased, changed, re-routed and re-done the rivers in my map many times, and never end up liking anything I've done any better than what I started with. That is why in the WIP I'm about to post, you'll see, sadly, no change in the rivers.

Take heart teacher, mentor and great-advice giving man, Mr Lafia! Armed with your thoughtful and helpful critique, I will once again shout 'EN GARDE!' to my nemesis, the river. This time, we don't stop until one of us is more beautiful than when we started!! lol! ;-)
(Note: I don't know if that last paragraph made any sense outside of my head. But it made ME laugh; and that's what's important. LOL!)

[mixerbach]

Speaking of WIP's... I'm probably waaaaay passed time to post one of those. Sadly, life has been how life gets lately (i.e. busy), so play time has been minimal. I still was able to get some detail work done on the map/journal. Or is it a journal/map? Below is my latest WIP!

### Latest WIP ###
CG_Lite_July-Aug_WIP3.jpg

Although I have not been able to write the rest of the journal entry text, I think I've outlined about a novel's worth of material in my brain. It's been great fun detailing our brave Captain's adventure and she chases down the elusive Toah "Two Steps". I don't have room for half of a single percent of the stuff I've dreamed up on the text side of this graphic, but it's been fun regardless.

[Abu Lafia]

Have no worries Sir Mixerbach! Those despicable, sneaky rivers won't stand a chance, since i've seen you defeating my very own archenemy, the mighty forests, with ease! That said, i very much like your recent additions, especially the sharp stroke linework on the foothills. Should there be any need of advice regarding your next steps, let me know. Btw. thanks for expanding my rather petty english vocabulary with "adroitly"

[mixerbach]

... Btw. thanks for expanding my rather petty english vocabulary with "adroitly"

I have a funny story to tell you about that word and when it entered MY vocabulary, but I'll save it for another time!

I just remembered that I completely forgot to tell you what SW I'm using: GIMP! I've used GIMP off and on for little things, and without much pleasure, for YEARS now. What can I say? There's something about a price tag of FREE that does it for me.

When I decided to take a stab at making GOOD maps, I soon found RobA's Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional RPG Map tutorial here at the Guild. In a cartography manner of speaking, it changed my life. lol! But seriously, I probably ran through it about 7 or 8 times in a row, then a few more times about a month later. That, along with some companion tutorials that he links to from within that tutorial, really helped me learn a little about cartography, graphics and, perhaps most importantly, using GIMP.

Thanks again for the comments, Sir Lafia! Next step advice is always appreciated. If you've got suggestions you'd like to share, fire away, please!

[mixerbach]

I'm really feeling the pressure now, with the deadline just hours away! Then again, I'm far enough along that I think I can finish in time. The operative word being think.
Typing more on this post, of course, isn't getting me anywhere...
Wish me luck! Here goes nothing!