WIP: Waterdeep (commission, for Leopardi)

[Wingshaw]

This thread is for my latest city map WIP, a re-imagining of the city of Waterdeep. This map was commissioned by Leopardi (original request thread here). I'm making this map in the same style as Pyrus (WIP here; finished map here), but hope to be able to complete it more efficiently and quickly, and avoid some of the mistakes I made last time.

Below is my initial sketch, including the layout of the city. This is a much more challenging city than Pyrus, but I think it is already off to a good start. Comments are welcome, as always.

Architecturally, Pyrus was primarily inspired by central Italy; here, I have been told the architecture can be a blend of Italian and German (something like Lombardy) so I am thinking of using the cities of Milan and Rome as my main reference points. That said, there are many diverse cultures/races here, and so a number of architectural forms will be attempted. Happy for input from Leopardi and anyone else about this.

@Leopardi: if I have questions/comments for you, I will post them either in this thread, or email them to you directly. Feel free to do the same to reach me.

THW

[J.Edward]

This should be an interesting one. I look forward to seeing the progress on it.
I already like the docks and steps leading down to them.

[Galendae]

Wow! Has an EPIC look, we could have an award winner here!

[CaptainJohnHawk]

This is going to be an awesome map. You WIP's always inspire me to sketch more.
Good luck on this, I will definitely be keeping an eye on this.

[Wingshaw]

Thanks everyone. I'll try and update regularly, but I've never been good at that. I guess it'll probably happen as it happens

THW

[shadire]

Very nice so far THW. I'm sure you'll turn this sketch into another brilliant piece soon enough.

[Wingshaw]

Thanks Shadire.

Here's the latest progress. This map is going at a snails-pace even by my standards, but I'm hoping to really step it up over the next week.

Comments, of course, are welcome.

THW

[Abu Lafia]

Hi THW,
the "snails-pace" pays off in my view! The wonderfully detailed isometric buildings are looking great. I also really like the "rock-arch"? (don't know the english term).
I noticed the sketched "blocks" in the west. Ilanthar did a similar thing in his WIP on Tarantia. Do you generally work like this in city-maps, that you "carve out" the final shape of the buildings from these blocks?
Apropos snails: Humor and patience are two camels that will carry you through any desert. - Arabic proverb

[tainotim]

Very nice THW! Looks like you got some very complex level- and street-weaving going on. And you are definitely pulling it off! Already eager for your next update.

Cheers,
Tainotim

PS/ I get dizzy from just imagining walking by the Cliffside up there. My fear of heights would not do well in this city.

[Bogie]

Nice Work!