Shadowend map - updated 2/5 with revised local map
My new Shadowend campaign setting map. I'm pretty happy with it.
Hand-drawn, hand-colored, marker on vellum. This was my first real effort using a number of new techniques I'd learned in a landscape design class, and it was -hard-. Should be easier now that I've identified alot of the colors and lines that work for me.
Text added in Photoshop Elements. Not completely happy with it.
Well done map! I really like the water details and coastlines--very interesting and rich. I am not sure the yellow is my favorite, for it seems so bare and arid instead of rich or lush--was that the effect you were looking for?
I also agree the font isn't well suited to the map--it is rather bland in comparison with the detailed, stylized impact of the rest of the map. Perhaps something a bit more ornate? (On that, though, I also wouldn't go too far and choose some frilly calligraphic hand, though.)
Well done map! I really like the water details and coastlines--very interesting and rich. I am not sure the yellow is my favorite, for it seems so bare and arid instead of rich or lush--was that the effect you were looking for?
Yellow vs green was a big quandary. Ultimately I went yellow to set up more contrast between open lands, swamp lands, and forest.
He does and how Jaerdaph. He's hosting the map on his flickr site and you can view it at its original size at http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...7346006&size=o . It's at 6202x4880 resolution! Good Heavens, at that size I can make out the smudging of the ink and markers on the paper.
I also agree the font isn't well suited to the map--it is rather bland in comparison with the detailed, stylized impact of the rest of the map. Perhaps something a bit more ornate? (On that, though, I also wouldn't go too far and choose some frilly calligraphic hand, though.)
I redid the fonts in Madeira (for countries and city-states) and Viner Hand (for natural features. I think it works better. I'll post it later tonight to see what other people think.
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Originally Posted by sunaj2k3
He does and how Jaerdaph. He's hosting the map on his flickr site and you can view it at its original size at http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gn...77346006&size=o . It's at 6202x4880 resolution! Good Heavens, at that size I can make out the smudging of the ink and markers on the paper.
Wow, I really like it . The use of colour makes for recognizable areas and for some reason the coastline is my favourite part of the map.
However, that's also something that draws attention away from the rest of the map, because of the huge contract between the water - coastline - land. Perhaps use a lighter colour next time (unless of course you want to draw attention to that, in that case it's great )
Wow, I really like it . The use of colour makes for recognizable areas and for some reason the coastline is my favourite part of the map.
However, that's also something that draws attention away from the rest of the map, because of the huge contract between the water - coastline - land. Perhaps use a lighter colour next time (unless of course you want to draw attention to that, in that case it's great )
It does "pop" a bit. I think it's one of those things that once you notice it, you see it constantly. Getting more texture into the open land might have helped, but I had to call it quits somewhere before I screwed up and had to start over (again).
OK, here's a new version - same map, different fonts. Madeira for political entities, viner hand for geographical features. This is slightly more of a "working" copy with all the names on it (there'll be alot of names when everything's labelled!)
For the curious, I've started a thread to collect some of my notes on the setting.
It does "pop" a bit. I think it's one of those things that once you notice it, you see it constantly. Getting more texture into the open land might have helped, but I had to call it quits somewhere before I screwed up and had to start over (again).
Yeah, going on and on with such a thing isn't working either
OK, new map, slightly different style. No color yet, and needs work in a few other spots. This is a subset of the one above, and covers Roen, Romagna, the Forest of Eoghin, Everglass, and portions of Asavar and Coedalan. There's a link to the larger version here.
Those are great. Mind if I incorporate them into my epic campaign? I really can't do 13 complete worlds so I have to borrow )
__________________ Barbarian: "I'm going to run the door down with my shoulder."
DM: "Ouch, that hurt you."
Thief: "We'll, I'm opening the lock then..."
DM "Sorry, no such luck."
Wizard: "Darn, I'm all out of spells."
Fighter: "Fighter & Barbarian pick up an old tree to use as a ram aaaaand... here we go!"
DM "The door is as steady as it looks, unfortunately. Loud noise and a tree on top of you is all you get"
Paladin: "Out of frustration, I grab the handle and rattle at the door."
DM: The unlocked door opens with a squeak and you stumble into the room - now roll for your balance."
Players: "You know you suck?"
DM: *snicker*
I used to do maps by hand but now I don't even have a real table in all the house except the gaming room (yeah, we have our own gaming room hehe) and that's always full with books and cards and maps already.
__________________ Barbarian: "I'm going to run the door down with my shoulder."
DM: "Ouch, that hurt you."
Thief: "We'll, I'm opening the lock then..."
DM "Sorry, no such luck."
Wizard: "Darn, I'm all out of spells."
Fighter: "Fighter & Barbarian pick up an old tree to use as a ram aaaaand... here we go!"
DM "The door is as steady as it looks, unfortunately. Loud noise and a tree on top of you is all you get"
Paladin: "Out of frustration, I grab the handle and rattle at the door."
DM: The unlocked door opens with a squeak and you stumble into the room - now roll for your balance."
Players: "You know you suck?"
DM: *snicker*
That really is an awesome map - would you mind sharing some tips and techniques on how you created it? You may consider showing it off over at the Cartographers Guild; they do a lot of map-making, as well as give good advice and critiques over there. Good job, can't wait to see more.
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That really is an awesome map - would you mind sharing some tips and techniques on how you created it?
Nope. I've thought about it, but haven't had the time yet. I scan alot, so I should have a good number of intermediate stages, plus I keep alot of my scratch paper - I thought I'd scan some of that in and show how I came up with what I did.
Quote:
You may consider showing it off over at the Cartographers Guild; they do a lot of map-making, as well as give good advice and critiques over there. Good job, can't wait to see more.
I checked it out briefly; seems interesting but I'd like to get a little more practice in and a little more time. I'm shy.
OK, I say you have nothing to be shy about! Great maps, rich to the eye, and well-thought out. Nice, nice work. Your maps also remind me how ironic it is in today's world, with computer apps being so prevalent in cartography (both fantasy and real-world), that the simple scanned in drawing by someone's actual hand on real-live paper can seem so fresh and wonderful!
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