New Map: Drogan Isle

[Fargoth]

Well all,

This is my first completed map posting on EnWorld. This map took me two days to complete. I'd estimate the hour count at approximately eight.

I'm unfortunately limited in the map's pixel size but believe I may have a workaround. I'd love to have something larger to work with. Would make for much finer detail.

Looking forward to hearing what you think.

http://www.truenorthcartography.com/gallery/Drogan_Isle.jpg

Regards,
Paul

www.fargoth.com
www.truenorthcartography.com

 

[Eosin the Red]

Nice map.

My only crits would be -
A) The rivers do not show well but they are workable.
B) The side graphics/heraldry are cartoonish and your style is realistic.

Good stuff.

 

[Fargoth]

Nice map.

My only crits would be -
A) The rivers do not show well but they are workable.
B) The side graphics/heraldry are cartoonish and your style is realistic.

Good stuff.

Thanks Eosin.

Regarding #1 above: I softened them up intentionally to go with the color and design scheme of the map. They're much more visible in large maps.

Point taken concerning the cartoonish decorations. I'll run them through a few filters to age them and make them fit the style better next time.

Regards,
Paul

 

[castlewalls]

Amazing! Do you use photoshop, canvas, photopaint, PSP?

The relief of the hills are very nice, please do a tutorial!

 

[Fargoth]

Amazing! Do you use photoshop, canvas, photopaint, PSP?

The relief of the hills are very nice, please do a tutorial!

Thank you!

This particular map was created with PSP V9, with asmattering of other software. I'm still experimenting with things to refine the proccess. Next map will be larger providing for greater detail.

 

[psyekl]

I've said before that I'm not fond of computer-generated maps for a fantasy setting, but this is one of the styles I think works exceptionally well. I've seen a few like this, but I think yours is my favorite so far. I am terribly jealous that it only took you eight hours to come up with a piece of work of this quality; my hand-drawn maps take 200+/- hours!

That's my opinion, now here's a little constructive critisism:

--While there is a difference between the hills and mountains (as labebled on the map), I think that making the mountains stand out a bit more may be helpful. There really isn't that much of a rugged "feeling" about the mountains and the lighter color is the only real way to notice them, and it doesn't contrast all that well against the light brown. I would say deepen the tones of the furrows, such as you did around the "s" in "Mountains", the "A" in "Arbassal", as well as the shading you have on the southern slopes of the mountains between the two words and due west of the "ns" of "Mountains".

--Perhaps "clarify" the text in the water (is that the correct term)? Stand back from the map and see if you are able to read it, it tends to blend in a little too well (ie "Lake Tosset" and "Obiehal Bay"). Perhaps a sharper white text on the light blue of the water?

--Other than the same observations about the rivers and decorations, that's about it.

Once again, great work!

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Very nice map! I hope you don't mind if I yank it for my game inspiration files?

 

[Fargoth]

I don't mind at all CL. Yank away.

 

[Pacio49]

This particular map was created with PSP V9, with asmattering of other software. I'm still experimenting with things to refine the proccess. Next map will be larger providing for greater detail.

I'm extremely interested in finding out more of your rendering techniques and tricks, Fargoth, if you don't mind sharing them. I'm a graphic designer by trade and I enjoy map sketching and computerized rendering of my maps. I tend to experiment with illustrative styles and renderings, and I'd like to be able to work on getting that topographical look & feel down.

So, if you don't mind, I'd really appreciate talking shop on this one. If anyone else has any hints or tricks for how to work in this kind of style, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[feydras]

Stunning map. But, naming a city "Evilland"?

- feydras