Heavy WIP - The Midlands

[Azhel]

Hello fellow cartographers.
A couple of days ago I started a map. It isn't finished yet, not by a longshot, but I managed to pull off some interesting stunts, including the shorelines, which i'm particularly proud of.
I'm using an object set made by a member of this guild, and I'l link the post where they come from.
http://www.cartographersguild.com/ma...c-circles.html

Anyways, back to the map. It's full black and white and i've only worked on the northern end so far.
Take a looksie (image too big for post)

http://imgur.com/QoF4Nm8

Constructive critics would be delightfully welcome

[madcowchef]

I curious what color you plan to do the land mass in?

[Azhel]

madcowchef,I was hoping to go for a parchment/old paper style look, but i'm not sure yet. I'l do some experimenting with multiple styles and then check how they look

[madcowchef]

Sounds fun. Your seas are perhaps overly dark and saturated for a old parchment feel. Your land mass is indeed interesting shaped and fun. The chain of mountains that cuts through the middle of the map separating the top from the bottom runs right into the water isn't ideal. Most mountains run parallel to coasts or slowly tapper off before them or run on as chains of islands. Ditto for the group in the northeast corner. I think you're making excellent use of the symbol set you're using. That's all I immediately spot. Looks like a great start.

[Azhel]

Thanks the sea color isn't really final, i just needed something to separate sea from land.
And I'l try to work on the mountains without breaking too much of what I have ATM

EDIT: Here's the experimental parchment version --> http://imgur.com/WmLum8H

[jugabyte]

I like the subtle shoreline lines. I almost didn't catch it until I zoomed in but it gives it that old feel to it.

[Ilanthar]

I love the way you did the sea on this. It gives a nice "shadowed" or "inked" when zoomed out, and all those lines are pretty cool when zoomed in
I think you could blur or blend more with the parchment the yellow contour coastal line you got on the lands.

[Azhel]

Thanks I did it with a plugin called India Ink.
you can get it ndia Ink Photosop plug-in for halftoned photos <--- here
Flaming Pear has all sorts of cool stuff you can try for free

[Azhel]

EDIT 2: I shaded the parchment where there are objects and softened the yellowish borders on the land.

http://imgur.com/zowZ3SY

[Ilanthar]

I'm not working on Photoshop (and sometimes I regret it), but thank you for the link anyway. I'm sure it will prove useful to others!