First time creating a map, feedback and help needed !

[CartoCooper]

So i wanted to make a zoomed out map of where my previous map was.
And i made this:

The old map is in the middle of the upper part of it.
I'd say the scale of this is around... Europe ? Even smaller most likely.
On what can i improve, what is unrealistic and what are things i should think about next time ?
I am going to color it all, i think..

though I like the frozen region, I actually think post #5 maps look better. I really liked the hand drawn look that you achieved. You definitely have some natural talent. Keep at it and I am certain you could make some really professional quality maps.

I definitely prefer your hand drawn mountains but that is mostly because I cannot ever do it justice. I just don't have the control I need with a mouse to do line drawing and with my arthritis I will never hold a pen again. Probably why I moved to sculpture, but even with any limitations we have, there is always a way to achieve your end result through different methods.

Add some bump maps or at least do a few more shades to give some more depth.

The coast line needs some work. Perhaps add hand drawn contour lines.

Keep up the good work.

I personally like both of them as much.. ill think i will work on both just for fun.
I didn't draw the mountains my self, i used a pack for that. I am thinking about doing the map over again in hand drawn look and make the mountains myself.

I am still new at this and tried messing around with the bump maps, i think i will make it work with all the tutorials here I'm already happy about the ones i have now, even though they are a bit crappy

Thank you for the tips and opinions !

[Chick]

You've done a very nice job with the coastlines, they look very realistic. Maybe a little bit more jagged and less rounded, but overall excellent.

I also like how you have used the textures and colors, extremely attractive combination. This map is going places!!!

[CartoCooper]

So i colored a lot of the terrain and tree's now. I also added rivers and marked with red where i want to add mountains.
I'm not sure if the mountains and river locations make sense. I think the rivers are good but not sure if the mountains are in the right place.
This is the map with colored terrain, no trees.



And here is with trees and future mountains marked in red.



I made a few size adjustments to some things. First of all the small 'lake' with the islands has been made smaller. Also one bay has been filled with terrain, it made it look a bit weird.

I want to make a location map with the map from #8, i think that "clean" style is much better for locations than with textures.

You've done a very nice job with the coastlines, they look very realistic. Maybe a little bit more jagged and less rounded, but overall excellent.

I also like how you have used the textures and colors, extremely attractive combination. This map is going places!!!

Thank you !
I will make the coast line a bit more jagged if i can find a good way to do that.