Weird Europe REDUX

[Daelin]

Yeah.

So, this is yet another chapter in my ongoing series "Daelin Redoes Finished Maps He's Not At All Satisfied With", hence the REDUX in the title. This is a new version of this map, and, in my opinion, a far superior one at that. Because now the "Weird" is actually justified. As you can see, the geography of the Europe we all know has changed, not radically, but just enough for you to hopefully go "hmm." And the political entities, well, they're still there, but I decided to omit the nonsense descriptors this time because I couldn't find a way to work them into the scroll banners that I've added.
I guess you could call this alternate history, but I wouldn't.

As stated in the original post, the topography is courtesy of shadedreliefarchive.com, cut up and mixed together, and a rough bevel effect added beneath to "lift" the mountains.

Anyway, hope you enjoy. And fingers crossed, my next map will be an original, 'cause this continuous reworking of my own maps, eh...

[Tonquani]

I'm loving the allusion to Brexit (not that I agree with it all myself...)

This is brilliant Daelin. Have some rep!

[Falconius]

Wow great map. I really love the mountains, Norway is particularly fantastic. As well as the Western Alps. Wait no they all are.

[Ilanthar]

Nice iteration, Daelin ! Waiting for the next one .

[Ramah]

Absolutely beautiful map, Daelin. Seriously impressive.
If I had one tiny nitpick with it though, it would be the stroke around the labels being slightly transparent instead of opaque. For example, "Kinkwaithe" has the stroke change colour as it moves from land to sea. It just makes it look a little more digital is all.

[Daelin]

I'm loving the allusion to Brexit

And I love that my map sparked that association in you, because I did not consider Brexit whatsoever making it. But thanks!

Wow great map.

Waiting for the next one .

As well you should. Because, as Bob Ross is fond of saying, I think it's gonna be a little bit different, and also like Bob Ross, that means it'll probably end up looking like every other map I've ever made.

If I had one tiny nitpick with it though, it would be the stroke around the labels being slightly transparent instead of opaque. For example, "Kinkwaithe" has the stroke change colour as it moves from land to sea.

The stroke around the labels is actually a 100% opaque, but that's a technicality. Because you are right, the label stroke does change color from land to sea, and that's intentional. I wasn't a big fan of the off-white border on the pale blue water (1), and unstroked, the label isn't readable (2) so I duplicated the labels and using layer masks made the white-stroked labels visible over land, and blue-stroked visible over water (3).
labels-border.jpg
I see your point, though. I guess it's just a personal preference.

[MistyBeee]

Splendid map ! The mountains, the sea, the parchments, the frame... !
(Love the stroke too : it's how I make mine :p)

[DanielHasenbos]

I like this new version even better than the first one, which was already great! It's great how you've changed the land shapes. It's very recognisable, but at the same time very very confusing.

[Arkidemis]

The update is much better, I'm glad that you made the redux.

At first I was in agreeance with Ramah when it came to the labeling near the coast. After seeing a side by side though I see where you're coming from and think it looks better in this case.

Amazing work! I'm looking foward to the next map.

[Daelin]

Splendid map !

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It's very recognisable, but at the same time very very confusing.

Awesome! That's my main goal with every creative endeavour I undertake, to make things as confusing as possible. Also in my professional life, which is being a nurse. Confusion abounds!

I'm glad that you made the redux.

Effort justified. Bonus.