The Dragon's Backbone and Surrounding Lands - novel version

[Caenwyr]

Okay! So... this was quite the hiatus! My last post was made just one day before our little one was born, and I never managed to pick it back up again. I didn't stop mapping however, but some other things had to be done first. Such as this map, I created to welcome our daughter in the world, and this one I did just to test some theories.

That latter one actually opened up a door in me somehow (or rather, it rattled it until it became unhinged, much like its owner ). While it started out as an experiment of something else, I eventually came to draw my mountains in an entirely new way! So new, and so fun to do, that I decided to give THIS map (I'm talking about this thread now) a reboot... while it actually already WAS a reboot.

No worries, I kept all the old layers, but I thought I'd explore this map from a different angle for a bit, and really dig down on the terrain detailing.

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_01.jpg

The ridgelines still have to be detailed quite a bit, and I still gotta add a ton of other mountain and hill ridges, but I'm quite pleased with where I am right now.

So. Which version do you like best? Do keep in mind that this new version will be shaded to really have the mountains jut out at you.

Have a great one!
Caenwyr

[Eilathen]

It's a bit early to tell...can we have both maps?!

In all seriousness, as a fan of the last version you posted in this thread before the hiatus, i am not sure that i want to vote for the new style yet. It's not a matter of it not looking good or anything...i'm just a fan of the other one. BUT....maybe you can develop the new style for a bit and then ask again?

Long story short: As of now, i'd vote for the old style.

[MapMappingMapped]

Just personally, I prefer the first version, thanks to my preference of isometric maps. They're both great though, and ignore me if you want! Looking forward to more!

[kacey]

Though I love the original mountains most it’s fun to see you experimenting with a new style. The top down mountains on you’re globe map turned out really well so I’m excited to see what you do here, and even if you decided to go with the original mountains in the end experimental detours are always fruitful and great for improving you’re skills.

I’m a fan of All you’re maps so I’m sure whatever style you do will turn out great.

[Gidde]

I'm intrigued by the new mountains; I've been wanting to do something similar for a while and can never get it to turn out well. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the shading!

[bkh1914]

Wow!
You've gone from a stylized representation to a full-blown mountain range.

I really like this new direction!

[Caenwyr]

Thanks for your input guys!

Glad to hear there's so many proponents of the new style! But have no fear, it might al just turn out to be impossible for me to shade this thing in B&W, at which point I'll be happy to go back to the original version. But you don't know until you try, right?

Okay. I spent last night's commute and this morning's working on the extension of the mountain ridges. I added some oomph to the already existing once too, since I thought they looked a bit too thin, especially in the south.

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_02.jpg

I think the challenge is gonna be to have them look completely insurmountable, except in those two areas indicated as mountain passes (well, as described in the intro, the mountains can actually be passed at several spots, but only those two are suitable for long columns of men marching from one side to the other). But that's for some future update!

[ThomasR]

It's gonna be a hellish nightmare to shade but it's a delight to see

[Texas Jake]

Really hard to form an opinion until these are shaded. I am eager to see how they turn out. Exploring new horizons is always a good thing.

[Gidde]

For making them look passable vs impassable: There was a site I found years ago about shading relief (by hand via pencil eek) that gave me a great tip.

Next time I'm on my computer I'll try to dig up the link. It was fascinating.

To make em look really tall the shading should be darker at the top vs lighter at the bottom; the more evenly shaded the slope, the lower the whole mountain looks. So if you vary that as you shade, you should get the effect of tall spots vs lower spots.


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