Empty America

[Wired]

Alright, placing this into the Finished Maps subforum seems wrong to me since the map feels so unfinished...

Jeffery Ross Commission (NA) Upload.jpg

... but this is, indeed, the finished product.

My client was already pretty shaky when it came to the setting (I'm assuming he's making it up as he goes), so the information arriving on my end never got more concrete than "there's vampires, werewolfes, the collapse of the modern world, a thousand years later there's basically wilderness". Rather than me "populating" the map we've now agreed on a solution where I simply provide him with four basic location icons (city/tow/castle/ruin) as .PNGs in two sizes and he'll be able to make stuff up as he sees fit.

I'll redevelop the map into something else back in the WIP thread.

[Ilanthar]

It looks a bit unfinished, indeed. A very good map anyway, Wired. I really like your color choices and your depiction of the lands.
The forests are very interesting and the subtle changes in coastlines very well thought.
Not so fond of the rivers, a bit too computerized, imho.

[Josiah VE]

Beautiful work wired!
Your forests are fantastic.
I'd love to see an example of a city icon.

[- Max -]

I have to agree with Ilanthar : the rivers looks too computerized, and at a lesser point, the forests too.

[Mouse]

I think its a great map, and I particularly love the forests

(I'm a bit confused - what does it mean to have computerised rivers? Is that the shape, or the way they are shaded?)

[- Max -]

I think its a great map, and I particularly love the forests

(I'm a bit confused - what does it mean to have computerised rivers? Is that the shape, or the way they are shaded?)

In my opinion, the bevel effect on the rivers is way too obvious and gives them a too obvious computer-made look, especially in contrast with some other elements that are hand-drawn. For me, that's a matter of aesthetic consistency but that's just my thoughts

[Mouse]

Oh I see

Thanks for the explanation. I can see what you mean now, and I agree that its probably a point of individual style and personal preference

[Wired]

I suppose that, in the end, it comes down to personal stylistic preferences. In my case, the heavy shading and lighting I use, especially with regards to the forested hills, but also the forests and the rivers, is there to create the illusion of depth. And since rivers don't flow flat on top of the ground, a reduced bevel effect mixed with an inner glow to signify the river shores does create that wanted effect of a slightly lowered body of water burrowing itself through the countryside. *shrugs* It's not the only way, most likely, and cancelling the bevel and reducing the inner (edge) glow while adding an outer glow creates a nice effect as well.

[ThomasR]

The style is wonderful ! I'm gonna steal these forests one day ! I'll rep as soon as I can because it really deserves some. About the bevel/emboss thing, I'm not a fan of it but I gotta say that you know your way around it and the result is pretty fine. I still prefer doing it the old fashion way even if my result sucks half the time but I'm impressed

[ChickPea]

It's a fine map and I'd love to see it filled with icons and labels one day. I really love how you colour the land. It's beautifully done.

Not sure if I can rep, but I'll try.

EDIT: Nope. Sorry.