Taking it to the next level

[HugeOgre]

I was recently tasked with recreating a map, and preparing it to be added to reflect changes to it over time. The original format and artist are no longer available.

I've pasted the original in as a jpg, and what Ive traced so far as a png. At this point Id like to accomplish a few things, but Im not sure how to proceed. The biggest thing I want to accomplish though is to colorize this map. Ive turned off some detailed drawings to make it easier to see, but I want to be able to not only colorize the map, but show the contours of the land and have trees that well, look like trees. I have layers where Ive decided where the hills are, and I have details like individual stepping stones that Ive turned off too.

Has anyone seen any good CS2 Photoshop tutorials for this? Does anyone have any specific feedback?

 

[HugeOgre]

Its probably worth mentioning

* The different line thicknesses on the second map are some kind of weird anomoly of the PNG format as near as I can tell

* The black circles represent where halfling burrows are supposed to be

* The second map is actually to scale, to allow for easy creation of maps for every building in the village, and large scale interactive maps.

*Theres a lot of hidden detail that may never come to light. We'll have to see AFTER I figure out how to do realistic terrain.

 

[JVisgaitis]

What type of style you looking for? Its hard to point you to tutorials or give advice when I'm not sure what you want the finished product to look like.

 

[HugeOgre]

Good point I suppose. I want a professional style. A look the likes of which Ed Bourelle would say "I couldnt have done better myself." I want the map to have texture and depth, and look realistic.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Good point I suppose. I want a professional style. A look the likes of which Ed Bourelle would say "I couldnt have done better myself." I want the map to have texture and depth, and look realistic.

Ed does mostly layers in Photoshop with layer styles applied. Play around with those and run through tutorials on the Bevel and Emboss layer style. You'll also want to look up tutorials on creating textures.