HI Sarah,

I'm still new to making maps, but I would honestly say that, in my opinion, the compass rose shouldn't be missing from a map. This is where you can really make your other artistic talents shine. I also think that you, depending on the goals of the artist as mentioned by JoshStolarz, need to have the basic structures like mountains, lakes, trees, and terrain. I, however, just like to try different techniques with these structures.

- Mike