WIP Istria

[Zenon]

Here's some Wilbur and GIMP action that I used to generate some overhead terrain.

Istria.jpg

I'll try to add forests, cities, and other features... I'll see if I can get anything to stick with this style.

One thing I've had trouble with in the past is names and cities. Is there a tutorial out there for those; and if not, how do you make them look clear? (My problem is that they always get smudgy and blurred. Although, I've only tried using brushes and paths.)

Comments? Questions? Advice? All are welcome and appreciated!

[Zenon]

Well... I quickly learned that I'm not too good at making things stick with that style. So I mostly scrapped the idea. However, I saved a couple bits.

I traced the coast and rivers. and then I added a forest.

Istria v2.jpg

[Mouse]

You seem to be making a cracking good start on this, Zenon. What was it about the relief map that was so problematical?

[Zenon]

The initial map looks pretty cool on its own, but it doesn't play well with other things. When I tried to add forests, cities etc; Everything would stick out like a sore thumb.

Since I had not the slightest idea how to work with the original (I'm a tad inexperienced, and I couldn't find any tutorials), I decided to scrap it. But I'll see if i can try to incorporate some ideas into the final product (like perhaps the sea-land transition).

[Mouse]

This is just a thought on the matter, but if you have a greyscale version of that first map showing just the pure relief with nothing else, you could try putting it over the top of everything else you draw in this second map, and using an overlay mode on that layer. The effect, I imagine, would be to give the map a very subtle sense of relief. It wouldn't show very much, but it would be there - either overlay, or multiply.

I really like those trees

[Zenon]

Going out of town for a few days. Anyways, I colored the trees, and added some texture to the land and sea. Then I added some cities (nothing special... yet) and a border.

Istria v3.jpg

This is just a thought on the matter, but if you have a greyscale version of that first map showing just the pure relief with nothing else, you could try putting it over the top of everything else you draw in this second map, and using an overlay mode on that layer. The effect, I imagine, would be to give the map a very subtle sense of relief. It wouldn't show very much, but it would be there - either overlay, or multiply.

That sparks some ideas. I don't want to promise anything yet, but I'll give it a try.

I really like those trees

Thanks

[Zenon]

So I've been a bit bipolar on this map; I can't decide what looks good. But i think I've managed to click enough buttons and I like where this map is going (finally!).

I worked on the forest, increasing the density, and adding texture. I also reworked the border, in addition to the land and water textures.

Istria v5.jpg

[Zenon]

I think I'm almost done with this map. I can almost taste it. I'll see about maybe adding a title or a compass rose.

I worked on getting the parchment texture on the entire map, and I added some cities.

Istria v6.jpg

[Zenon]

Finally done, unless anyone notices anything. I'll keep this up for a day or two before posting in the finished maps.

Istria v7.jpg

[Mouse]

You have evolved a nice painterly style there, Zenon, but there seem to be a couple of small things missing from the map.

The most noticeable are the little places marked with spots on the road, but which don't have any labels. Do any of the rivers and wooded areas have names?

A scale might also be helpful, since I can't really use the map to see how far I might have to walk between those settlements.