Hand drawn maps

[Yrda]

I also use Polychromos (but I haven't used them for maps yet), don't know better colored pencils than these.
For watercolor colored pencils I've got some old Albrecht Dürer pencils (also Faber-Castell), but I'm not really fond of watercolor pencils, I prefer to apply water colors with a brush (or play around with a water brush over fresh standard pen ink).

Last year, someone recommended watercolor pencils (I mean the grey ones) to me, I didn't know they even existed and haven't really tried them yet, but they could also be nice for greyscale maps with a watercolor effect.

[Impractical Cartographer]

### Latest WIP ###
carroburg-warhammer-small_optimized.jpg

My latest map.
Carroburg surroundings (WFRP). Scale 1:100.000 (the icons of cities and villages are obviously larger and out of scale).
I'm not happy with the result. I think I could draw the farmland better.

What do you think?

[Eowyn Cwper]

The farmlands may be minimalistic but I think they fit the style perfectly. It bothered me when you had just one meadow for each farm, but you made it different this time. Looks great to me!

[Yrda]

I like it.

About the farmlands: Since this is something "cultured"/civilized, I'd expect it to look a bit less wild maybe. Compared to the trees the crop looks very high.
I've made a sketch/overpaint in Photoshop how I'd probably change them if it weren't hand drawn.

Just an idea, maybe it helps? (or it is just taste - if yes, nevermind )

farmland.jpg

[Impractical Cartographer]

Just an idea, maybe it helps?

A simple and brilliant solution! Thank you!

[MistyBeee]

A little different from what you shown recently, which is always interesting, and still as good as always. Carroburg illustration is wonderful !
I think what bothers me about the fields is they catch a little too much attention : it's what you see first, while maybe the towns should have the focus. However, I love this new touch of color ^_^

[Impractical Cartographer]

I think what bothers me about the fields is they catch a little too much attention : it's what you see first, while maybe the towns should have the focus.

These fields are the reason why I am not happy with this map. And that's why I put this map here, not in the finished map section.
Well, I'm still learning how to draw.

### Latest WIP ###

dd3.jpg

New map.
My first approach to the Sword Coast. I have never drawn maps for D&D before, so this is an interesting challenge for me.
Work in progress.

[Baron]

These fields are the reason why I am not happy with this map. And that's why I put this map here, not in the finished map section.
Well, I'm still learning how to draw.

### Latest WIP ###

dd3.jpg

New map.
My first approach to the Sword Coast. I have never drawn maps for D&D before, so this is an interesting challenge for me.
Work in progress.

Do you find that makes a difference with your art? If it's for a game? If so, why? Perhaps evoking the feel of the genre?

[Impractical Cartographer]

Do you find that makes a difference with your art? If it's for a game? If so, why? Perhaps evoking the feel of the genre?

Always drawing a new world unknown to me, I feel a challenge.

And I always wonder how to draw a map to make it look like it was drawn by a cartographer living in this world.

### Latest WIP ###
dd4.jpg

I trying to find the right style for this map...

[Impractical Cartographer]

### Latest WIP ###

swordcoast1.JPG

My first draft of the Sword Coast. A lot of things to improve, but I'm starting to feel the atmosphere of this world.
I wonder how best to color the sea. It's best done with pastels. Here, I tried colored pencils, but I lacked skill and patience.