Old school hand drawn map in photoshop.

[Cunning Cartographer]

Agree with the drop shadow, doesn't work for this style at all. Using digital elements in hand drawn maps CAN work, but it's finding the right balance. The issue really is that you put the drop shadow on the linework itself instead of the whole items, though personally I think it would look better without the shadows altogether. Your linework isn't necesarily all that bad, just a little too conformed with the width, so it loses the hand drawn feel. Presumably you don't have a stylus/tablet, but (depending on the software you are using) you might be able to alter the brush settings to change the line width to be a little more random so the linework isn't so digital. Alternatively go around your lines with an eraser (or a mask to be more specific so it isn't destructive) and thin the lines out in areas (as I did in the example below). Add a few extra details and the map will really start to work.

Use digital effects sparingly, I used a quick solid colour wash for the mountains and trees, but added a soft marble pattern overlay to the trees to break up the solid colour.



All in all, good start.

[JMOxx75]

Thanks for the feedback. I will have to figure out how to turn on the pressure setting for my wacom tablet. I took a pic of my layers just to see if I am on the right track when it comes to how I have it set up. From what I read I have to draw more detail in the mountains and forests and not rely completely on color layers and or effects to flush them out? I also used a displacement map for the paper to make the elements look like they were drawn on the map instead of floating above it. Unfortunately it didn't do much for the mountains.