The Dragon's Backbone and Surrounding Lands - novel version

[Eilathen]

I on the other hand have to say that, for the purpose of the map (aka a book map), i do think the first version will serve better. As a long time fantasy novel enthusiast, i have to vote for version 1 (just fits better with the flavor of map vs the in-world "believability" and i also think in a book the version 1 map will be better readable).

Now that is not to say that the map will not look awesome with this style. I think it comes along quite nicely. The shading is top notch. But i agree with Texas Jake that the ridge lines are too strong.

[Caenwyr]

Thanks guys, both of you! I do really appreciate your input. And it might just be I agree with you, Eilathen: this might not be the best way to make a fantasy map. Not because it is difficult to read (because I have every intention to make it super easy!), but simply because of convention. You never see maps like this in fantasy books.

I'm just not sure yet whether that would be a reason to follow the ruling custom, or to break away from the herd and do my own thing...

Alright, while I ponder on that a little more, here's an update (featuring a major redo, but I'm not gonna bore you guys with the details):

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_06.jpg Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_06_labelled.jpg

[JsinOwl]

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, and that map you made for her is a gem.

[ChickPea]

I'm loving the mountain shading.

[Caenwyr]

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, and that map you made for her is a gem.

Thanks man! We're really happy with the little wonder, and making a map for her was the natural thing to do

I'm loving the mountain shading.

Thanks ChickPea! I rather like it too, although it still needs a LOT of tweaks to be able for it to work on its own. I'm working on that right now!

Hey all!

So I went on a little business trip last week that kept me from mapping (those that follow me on DeviantArt might have seen the pictures!), but now I'm back and ready to take this thing to awesomeness, one little valley at a time.

Over the past few days I've been gingerly experimenting with the shading of this beast, slowly trying to get the shading to speak for itself so I can get rid of the hand-drawn ridge lines altogether. I'm learning as I go along, which explains why the bottom part of the map is not yet as detailed as I'd like it to be, but that can easily be tackled afterwards.

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_07.jpg Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_07_labelled.jpg

The last bits I did this morning were the two smaller ridges between the labels "Gaendyr" and "Araniell", and I believe they really get across the idea of depth, even without the linework. What do you guys think?

[kacey]

It looks amazing Caenwyr, the shading is wonderfull and I like that it already has that printed look. I can definitely see this at the beginning of a book, great job so far.

[bkh1914]

That new section is looking good.

[Eilathen]

Jup, that definitely looks very good. As i said, i was certain this would look fantastic as a map on its own...but i still have the reservation about the map style fitting the presumed age of the world the novel is set in. Not sure if that is a valid concern for you, because the map can certainly be "addressed" to the reader instead of being an "in world item". So yeah, this is just one fantasy-reader's opinion.

Fact is, the map does look very good and i wished that all the novels came with such awesome maps inside.

[Caenwyr]

It looks amazing Caenwyr, the shading is wonderfull and I like that it already has that printed look. I can definitely see this at the beginning of a book, great job so far.

Thanks Kacey! It's a break from the usual fantasy map, so I'm glad you're saying that!

That new section is looking good.

Thanks a bunch bhk!

Jup, that definitely looks very good. As i said, i was certain this would look fantastic as a map on its own...but i still have the reservation about the map style fitting the presumed age of the world the novel is set in. Not sure if that is a valid concern for you, because the map can certainly be "addressed" to the reader instead of being an "in world item". So yeah, this is just one fantasy-reader's opinion.

Fact is, the map does look very good and i wished that all the novels came with such awesome maps inside.

Wow thanks Eilathen, this means a lot! Yes, it definitely is a different style. Good thing is this is for a novel of my own, so at least the author can't object, right? (although the publisher might, but we'll see about that later )

-------------------------------

Alright, another update! Progress has slowed to a crawl now that I have found the correct level of detail (i.e. waaaay too detailed to even see when printed...). I added some additional shading to most of the central ridge (the Dragon's Backbone!) and have added some smaller ridges (or hills?) in the western part of the map. Still a long ways to go though!

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_08.jpg Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_08_labelled.jpg

[Caenwyr]

Okay! Another incremental update. Did a ton of smaller ridges, and crept northward eeeeever so slowly. Difference with my previous update reflects about 10 hours work - I'm starting to think I'm a bit too obsessed about the details...

Please help remind me never to test out an idea on such a crazy scale. Maybe I should start mapping postal stamps?

Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_09.jpg Aran_and_Ilan_detail_reboot_09_labelled.jpg