Map for a Novel

[RobA]

...and I know why I haven't done it before

working_3-1.jpg

This is going to be a map for Paragon's novel that was asked for in the map request thread. I am pretty happy so far. I more or less just followed Hapimeses' tutorial Needs some cleanup, but it is getting there. (This is resized 50%).

I did the mountains and hills in five separate session... probably 10 hours total, as my hand kept cramping (I gotta figure a better way to hold the stylus).

I haven't decided how to do the forests, yet, though there are a few nice styles I think I will copy.

There is also a region of marshland (north of the mountain range) and I would be happy for pointers on making marshes in a pictorial rather than symbolic fashion.

-Rob A>

[RPMiller]

Wow. That looks really really good, but your river has a problem...



Just kidding. I couldn't find anything constructive to say.

[ravells]

I think it looks fantastic, but that you should try it with the shadows on the right...

... shouldn't take long

Seriously though, I've got to try this too. Have something nice on the radio on the background and just draw, draw, draw those mountains, cos at the end of the day, for this style of map, handdrawn mountains trump symbols any day of the week.

[jfrazierjr]

Very nice Rob. I would rep you, but I just gave you some for your one of your Tutorials.

If you were not so far along on the mountains, I would say you should consider trying to force perspective by making the mountains in the foreground a bit larger. The river at the top flowing into the sea from the north already gives me the impression of a bit of perspective and would be even more so if a tiny bit broader at the ocean/sea. I might just have to take this map as a basis and give this idea a play. Probably won't come out right since I don't have a tablet, but what the heck...

Joe

[landorl]

Wow! nice, and that was a lot of mountains to draw! I like the way that you did the rivers.

[Bohunk]

I need to get a stylus.

Beautiful work.

The force perspective would be nice on this style of map, at least slightly with a maybe one of the rivers to run behind a peak of a mountain? Then again what do I know?

[RobA]

Thanks all. I could not have done this without the tutorial. It gave me the confidence to try something like this as I really feel my artistic ability is limited. The suggestion not to worry about "mistakes" and just work with them was a big help. That and keeping one hand on ctrl-z

-Rob A>

[ravells]

Hang on....Bohunk...you did your map without a stylus?

I am utterly amazed.

[Badger]

Looks great Rob... as for swamps ... I've always used a stipple effect ... heavy around the edges of the swamp and lighter towards the middle...

[RobA]

Thanks for the suggestion, del - any idea how to stipple with a tablet and graphic software? (Way easier to use a real pen, at least for me...the tablet just isn't fast enough, and keep trying to draw lined through close stipples.)

Here is where I am am. There is supposed to be a large marshy/swampy mixed with hills area north of the range. Not sure if I like this, but it is only my first go..
sized.jpg

I might try printing this out and hand stippling with a pen on tracing paper then scanning it back in as a layer...

-Rob A>