The Kingdom of Ashen - WIP

[TempyTheCleric]

So, this map is ALMOST already completed, however i wanted to share the steps i took to get to where i am finally! This map took me for a ride, literally.

Here is my initial sketch:

IMAG1133.jpg

Next i transferred to photoshop - about this time i was signing up to this site and trying out every style i could... this is where i gets kinda messy.

[TempyTheCleric]

Next came the many... MANY back and white versions of the map. And the oh so agonizing task of adding rivers. (Thank god i ran across wilbur <3 )

Ashen-stage-one-3.png step-2.png Number3.png


*there names are all sorts of messed up so don't pay attention to that. Just know that i finally used the number 3... but not until after i did all this...

[TempyTheCleric]

Like i said, i did a lot of experimenting with different styles, trying to figure out HOW i wanted this map to look.

step-4 (1024x754).jpg step-5 (1000x737).jpg step-6 (1000x737).jpg step-3 (1024x754).jpg

[TempyTheCleric]

So after finally deciding what i wanted, and with a little help from Wilbur, Jezelf and photoshop.... i had finished with these. My hightmap, color overlay and my wilbur...

wilbur2 (1024x754).jpg wilbur3 (1024x754).jpg wilbur4 (1024x754).jpg ashen-finitoSMALL.png ashen2.png

[TempyTheCleric]

So finally i have this, i really like where its at but how does the labeling, crests and everything look??? The only thing i want to do next is add a border.

backofbackup2 (1000x841).jpg

** opps no not this one...

[TempyTheCleric]

Here it is this is my final one... this is the one i need advice with for the final touches, as well as border suggestions!!

Ashen-Completed (1024x936).jpg

[Eilathen]

Nice Thread (and map)! I really like that one can see how this developed. Have some Rep.!

I was wondering: If these are different kingdoms...why do all the heraldries have the same colors? I think this very unlikely (well at least it was in our reality). Colors signify things...and heraldry also serves to be able to destinguish houses/kingdoms/what-have-you from each other...for example also on a battle field. So you might want to mix it up a bit.
But maybe you have a perfectly reasonable explanation for it...in which case you can ignore this paragraph

[- Max -]

I concur about Eilathen about heraldic colors. It doesn't make that much sense for me. Also the map kinda lack of some more informations to my tastes (terrains labels, cities, borders, roads and stuff...)

[TempyTheCleric]

I should probably have not made Kingdom plural - an easy fix. And max im in the process of adding little details but im afraid that to much will clutter up the map. so im just trying to find the balance between what detail i would like to add. Also, being that this is for a completely fantasy based novel of mine, there coat of arms is just to help me envision everything in my mind a bit more.

I can tell i have more work yet to do, any other suggestions or comments, or bits of advice are so helpful! Hoping to have another update in a few days but for now i need to take my eyes away and let my brain mull on what i currently have.

oh and thank you so much Eilathen!

[Freodin]

Still you might want to change, or at least adapt a little, the heraldic crests. The dark blue / black combination is not the best choice.