Williamtown. Early 1800's style port map

[sirjoe]

Wow--great first post! I agree with the others here that you have captured well the feel of a map of this genre! Well done!

As for feedback I had to think hard, but here are a few (purely cosmetic, "icing on the cake"-level) ideas:
1) Although stereotypical, I would ragged-up the edges. Would increase the feel even more.
2) The wax seal has a red glow around it--a black shadow would make it "pop" even more + be more realistic.
3) When you look very closely, the crease in the paper (which I absolutely love, by the way) does not bleed through to also crease the drawing itself. This is pretty easy to fix in PS.

Again, awesome map. Welcome to the Guild!!!

Thanks for your kind feedback. It's always good to get constructive critism like this and I really value it. You mention the crease in the paper... how would you bring that up through the other drawing layers in PS? I tried to get that by placing it on a separate layer, but it just ended up looking fake. (I need to drastically improve my PS skills.)

Cheers,
JS

[pyrandon]

(I need to drastically improve my PS skills.)

Take a number & get in line. Me too!!

... You mention the crease in the paper... how would you bring that up through the other drawing layers in PS? I tried to get that by placing it on a separate layer, but it just ended up looking fake.

There are a few ways you can do it. First I need to know how you inserted it: It is a separate element from both the paper & the map, or is it a part of the paper layer?

First, you can make sure the blending mode of the actual city drawing layer is set to "multiply". Also/instead, (if you layers stack up right) for even more "pop" you can use a displacement filter. (Butch Curry does a fine job of explaining this on his "Fantasy Cartography Podcast #10" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDtNQpxj3Iw). )

There are other techniques, too (like Apply Image & channels), but rarely do you need to for just a crease.

I hope this helps at least a bit!

[RobA]

(picking up jaw)

Stunning!

This is a beautiful execution. Simple symbols, clean lines, clear map, with very well done real-worldification (for lack of a better word...)

-Rob A>

[jaerdaph]

That is a beautiful map - well done!

[jaerdaph]

Wow, this is amazing! I really like the wood cut/ink stamp look, especially the buildings, where the ink coverage wasn't complete.