hand-drawn maps

[mystic badger]

Hi ! I'm not a troll at all, but nearly all maps on this forum are in their larger part computer-generated or reworked, and I must confess I'm quite fond of exclusively hand-drawn maps. Even if technically less nice than a map reworked in photoshop, they've a (romantical ? nostalgic ?) distinct feeling to me. Are there some other fans like me ? And resources, like discussions on how to draw certains symbols ?

[Ascension]

Look through the Tutorials section for a mega tut by Delgondahntelius on hand-drawing things. Also look through the Reference Material section and Mapping Elements section. And be sure to check out the other tutorials for ideas. The computerized maps you see are here because they are easy to do and require no artistic talent (or very little). Since that is hard to teach and learn many try to emulate the look...with varying degrees of success. We all love hand-drawn maps but not all have the talent or skill to make them. Plus, some of us don't have good paper and pens Welcome and have fun.

[Steel General]

What Ascension said...

[mystic badger]

Great links and advice, though I don't totally agree with you. In fact, I stick with hand-drawn maps because my gimp-fu is not good enough. It's also easier to work with paper in terms of mobility (though with my EEE pc, Gimp is available everywhere). I'm also making a difference between technical maps (my choice, it's easier, and I tend to make multiple geographic and politic markings on my maps) and artistic maps (with artistic drawings imbedded, more oriented towards aesthetic goals than geographical ones).
Yes, I think the problem is there : I prefer technical maps, even if ugly. I'm not criticizing at all (I'm drooling every time I visit the forums), but the main bulk on maps is more oriented towards "eyecandy", at the expense of readability and realistic coherence.
Nevertheless, I will continue to rejoice at seeing such wonderful maps the community creates and shows off everyday.

[töff]

Some hand-drawn styles are awesome. Some digital artists spend hours & hours trying to achieve hand-drawn effects. (Vicey versey, too.)

[RobA]

(though with my EEE pc, Gimp is available everywhere).

A mini review,please... how is the EEE (or any netbook?) for gimp? Usable? great? barely adequate?

Got my eye on this baby: http://usa.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=qdwslBLhhfuw43HS


-Rob A>

[mystic badger]

A mini review,please... how is the EEE (or any netbook?) for gimp? Usable? great? barely adequate?

Got my eye on this baby: http://usa.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=qdwslBLhhfuw43HS


-Rob A>

I've got one less powerful and it works quite well. For sure, don't work on too big files, but I've done photo reworking without effort.

[ravells]

A mini review,please... how is the EEE (or any netbook?) for gimp? Usable? great? barely adequate?

Got my eye on this baby: http://usa.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=qdwslBLhhfuw43HS


-Rob A>

Thanks RobA....one more thing on my 'must have' list!

Christmas...maybe.

[Mr. Greengoat]

I think the main issue is that people tend to reach an adult age without that much exposure to hand-craft skills and drafting and ultimately become more comfortable using the computer. I think if more of the cartographers just become exposed to drawing by hand they would come to realize that that same talents for digital design carry over to traditional design. The tools just take a bit getting used to.