Test style

[rafaelrzacharias]

This is a scan of a very simple map, showing the major mapping elements.
I'm trying to use this style on my world map project that I intend to start soon.. what do you think about the style?

This is completely hand-drawn, please give me your critics!

[rdanhenry]

Nice. Reminds me a bit of The Hobbit. I would, however, suggest using a straight edge in the future for drawing the map border. (Or if you meant hand-drawn in a graphics program, at least lay down a guide to follow. Nobody can free-hand a straight line, and no professional would try.) My favorite parts are the mountains, the lake, the arrow, and the lettering.

[torstan]

Very Tolkien-esque. Looks great!

[rafaelrzacharias]

Okay, This semi-arid continent was done a couple of months ago. I used a similar style, but I never liked the mountains.. so, the first picture is me trying a better-looking mountains. I plan to use the first style and redraw this continent like the first image scheme.. The only difference is that the layering was done in PS CS3 with white outter glow effect, the first one was hand-drawn..

Please, do not copy any of the names 'cus they're copyrighted. It's a 5-book novel I'm writing. Anyway, waiting for critics, sugestions... Thx

Ps: Sorry about the labbeling, it is in Portuguese, I'm from Brazil.
Open the image in "another window" to see in full res, if not, image will be resized to 43%.. bad

[Noon]

I like the style.
Perhaps, you could add a bright color on the continent (or on the ocean), to make the map more readable.

[TBF]

I like the style.
Perhaps, you could add a bright color on the continent (or on the ocean), to make the map more readable.

in my opinion you shouldn't. The Colorpoorness of this Style is responsible for this awesome look. That was the thing i always loved at the "Tolkien"-Maps. To display such a huge world in such a good looking style with only three Colors. White, Black and Red. Awesome. Really.

[philipstephen]

if you really wanted the land to stand out without colour... a greyscale ocean might work...

but i think it reads well as is.

phil

[rdanhenry]

Very nice, again. Portuguese names are not a problem; maps get labeled in all sorts of languages, including imaginary ones.

[rafaelrzacharias]

rdanhenry: Thanks alot man! ^^ I always apreciate critics/nitpicks, it helps me get better. I've been a huge fan of Tolkien's works since I was a kid. Love his mapping style and the ways he represented his places and landscapes. I could almoust imagine everything along the journey far before the movies itselves came out. I pretend to make an English-Labbeled version of the map itself when I have time and create a fine border with some "imaginary symbols" or fonts that I created using FontCreator v5.5.

Torstan: Thx, as I said before, that's my original intention! ^^

Noon and philipstephen: I'll post an "old style/parchment style" version of his very same continent, "Narvinghia" decipting exactly what you guys were saying: contrast between Land and Sea.