Diyun City map by Schley

Map
Attachment 38977

Created in: Photoshop

Review
Mike Schley is an artist whose work continues to amaze me. The map of Diyun city is excellent by itself with it's beautiful colors, line work, and an incredible amount of detail, but Mike then makes the map really pop by adding cross section views of the city. This really makes the whole piece come alive and gives it great character.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Schley

Hey guys,
Here's a recent map of a port city created for a D&D article titled "Backdrop: Diyun". It went live recently in Dungeon 189.

Hope you like it. I had a lots of fun with the little side view illustrations.

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Original threads
Click here to view the Finished Map thread.

Wow ... it *is* beautiful.

This is a beautiful map. The cutaway views scream, 'Adventure!'

Amazing, i love the bridges binding the islands together. So many buildings... (i don't quite understand why some bridges were between 30-50 feet of each other when they linked the same island though but still amazing)

Really nice. Very cool idea for a city.

Absolutely incredible, really stunning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kitamasu1

Amazing, i love the bridges binding the islands together. So many buildings... (i don't quite understand why some bridges were between 30-50 feet of each other when they linked the same island though but still amazing)

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After looking at this again in context of the quote, the various bridges are "near" each other from an over head view, but those bridges link different elevation. Perhaps elevation has a social significance and you don't want the "rabble" up in the nobles parts just to cross a bridge....

That is an awesome map

Awesome map :) Watcha do with it?
Only possible improvement would be the edge, it lacks perspective imho. You know: a bit of shadow here and there that would be caused by the damaged corners and all, now it feels more like an eraser has been rubbed along the edge. Also a font like in comic books would look kind of cool since the drawing are of a very much similar style.

PS: here is an example of what I mean.

That is some very good art *and* design work there. I wish I had that kind of talent. I have an (unillustrated) city that is very similar in my world. The bridges add a certain flair to the town. Here is a snippet from my world's atlas:

" The bridges are considered public land and a distinct culture has developed among those who make their lives and livelihood on them. Bridge culture is a unique experience to visitors, and one may spend a lazy afternoon just sipping tea or ale at one of the many vendors on the side of a bridge. "

Just a thought about how life in a bridge city would be. Again, your illustration is fantastic.