Random City Practice

[Molch]

I second the use of the smudge tool. In the attached picture I actually used a bright blue as baseline for the river in a ... err... river-shaped layer. Then, in a layer above it, I highlighted the river with a darker blue (extensively). Finally pick a large brush (it's okay if it covers the total width of the river) and just smudge the upper layer. Especially in bends and curves the lower brighter layer will shine through making the river seem more shallow in the "lee" of the bend.
Also I should have gone more dark and more bright respectively for more contrast.

And pretty please ignore the rest of the (now abandoned) map. It's a mess.

Edit: Added missing attachment

[ravells]

Hi Molch: I really like your idea of putting photoshop tips in your sig. I'm going to start doing it too!

[jfrazierjr]

I second the use of the smudge tool. In the attached picture I actually used a bright blue as baseline for the river in a ... err... river-shaped layer. Then, in a layer above it, I highlighted the river with a darker blue (extensively). Finally pick a large brush (it's okay if it covers the total width of the river) and just smudge the upper layer. Especially in bends and curves the lower brighter layer will shine through making the river seem more shallow in the "lee" of the bend.
Also I should have gone more dark and more bright respectively for more contrast.

And pretty please ignore the rest of the (now abandoned) map. It's a mess.

Edit: Added missing attachment

Sorry for the threadjack, but Molch, the technique you used to make those cliffs on the river banks is SUPERB!