July/August Unofficial Lite Challenge: Pinecone Hold

[Meshon]

When I was camping I saw some really cool terrain and started imagining the tiny beings that might live in the forest. This is Pinecone House, a village of sprites and their kin.

I can't officially enter the Lite Challenge, but I'll play alongside! So far I've started on the border and sketched in the stump and a log bridge.

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Sorry, just a phone photo for now...

Cheers,
Meshon

[Meshon]

As I was working on the border I was surprised to discover that I was developing a pattern of process for each side. I sketched out the intersecting lines first, then added the leaves and features that might break the line of the vine/trees. After a couple errors in the over/under lines I decided I should also add the intersections in advance. Here's what it looks like before the final lines are added (the bottom section of border). I'm putting in some lines for other features too; the log bridge and the stream edge.

One thing I'm trying to do is get faster, or at least get a bit more out of the time I spend drawing. One of the things that takes a bunch of time for me is indecision, planning, working things out in pencil. There's still some of that happening, but it was a funny moment when I realized that a lack of confidence could make these projects take more time.

Latest WIP
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Cheers,
Meshon

[Mouse]

What a lovely drawing - and so VERY tiny!

I hadn't realised how small you worked.

WOW!

[Meshon]

What a lovely drawing - and so VERY tiny!

I hadn't realised how small you worked.

WOW!

Well thank you! As to the size, I have two sizes of sketchbook and I mostly use the small one. Probably being timid My challenge entry last month was the first ink map I've drawn in the larger book and I really liked having the extra space so I'll probably do that again. But for things like this, they're sort of studies and practice, so small seems to suit them.

Cheers,
Meshon

[Meshon]

A little more progress, I'm really not sure how to make the stump look more stumpy. Maybe it'll come out in the shadows!
1503855774638-1340480229.jpg

Cheers,
Meshon

[Mouse]

Now that I know your piece of paper isn't much wider than the length of the pen you are using to draw this map, I'm stunned by your drawing skills.

I should think the shadows will be the making of that stump

[Meshon]

Now that I know your piece of paper isn't much wider than the length of the pen you are using to draw this map, I'm stunned by your drawing skills.

I should think the shadows will be the making of that stump

You're very kind! I do kind of love drawing small though...

Some mushrooms sprouted, and I had a go at adding some textures.

Latest WIP
1504059151741-1545371830.jpg

[Mouse]

The details are pretty spectacular - I'm not just being kind

I love the little steps carved into that log!

I think I may have asked you before, but what is that pen you are using?

[Meshon]

The details are pretty spectacular - I'm not just being kind

I love the little steps carved into that log!

I think I may have asked you before, but what is that pen you are using?

Thank you!
I use 3 Staedtler Pigment Liner pens, 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1. The biggest one doesn't get too much use on these little maps, but it's good for outlining. I'd say I mostly use the 0.1. I also have a Prismacolor Premier 0.05 for wee little lines. None of these are particularly expensive pens.

Here's a snapshot of the completed map. I'll do a scan later, but I figured I'd capture the moment when an emissary from Pinecone Hold came by to approve the commission. I think they accepted it, I got paid in pinecones!

Pinecone Hold Emissary.JPG

Until I decide to colour it, this will probably be it, unless anyone has any ideas to improve things. I'm still trying to figure out how to do shading right on these pen and paper maps…

Cheers,
Meshon

[Mouse]

LOL!

You've got an unofficial vote from me, but your little friend is just adorable!

On the shading and colour front - have you tried scanning and using a couple of layers in PS or GIMP? One or two to shade in multiply or overlay mode, then a couple of colour layers in overlay perhaps? That's what I did with Road to Tiamis - pencil tonal drawing coloured and somewhat modified in GIMP.

You could try some of these wonderful watercolour techniques I keep hearing about in PS, if you have it?

EDIT: and I clean forgot to say thank you for the information! Thank you