Trying to do my own technique, but I don't like it so far...

[ChimeraArtz]

I want to try and make an ancient regional map of Asia.

[Azélor]

It look more like Ireland... What style are you aiming for, do you have examples ?

[ChimeraArtz]

Something like this: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Valcia...-Map-117923496 I tried to draw my own stuff (I really didn't wanna use brushes) but it just wasn't looking right. I feel silly cuz it's just a bunch of lines but they aren't laying very well. I also think I did the paper to crinkly. The one in the link I love so much, very subtle.

[Azélor]

Paper texture: http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials...h-it--psd-1649

I haven't tried it but it look pretty good.
About the mountains, I don't really like the example you gave because they look messy/confusing. I mean, the perspective is not clear whether it's isometric or from above.

That is clearly top down map: http://www.pocketplane.net/volothamp...aerunlarge.jpg
Isometric, same style : http://www.cartographersguild.com/sh...ad.php?t=25195
Something that is clearly isometric and simple: http://www.cartographersguild.com/sh...ad.php?t=25437
Valcia is somewhere in between

[ChimeraArtz]

Wow! that paper texture is spot on for what I'm looking for thanks. Also, "The Cradle" isometric style is awesome! I see why you said Valcia is messy and confusing. The map style on cradle is very impressive too because it has a beach-like thing going on for shorelines. Plus I love that it look drawn and colored in colored pencils lol. I know it's going to take me more than one map of practice but cradle is definitely a very simple and straight forward design. Thanks for those examples

[Chick]

There are lots and lots of free paper and parchment textures around the internet, just search on "parchment texture" or "paper texture" and you will find them. I have about a dozen saved that I mix together to make new ones when I need one. This image http://www.cartographersguild.com/al...chmentid=70791 for example has five different parchment/paper textures and one color layer blended together to get exactly the effect I wanted.

[ChimeraArtz]

That's an awesome map!! Love the mountain range, did you draw it yourself?

[Chick]

That's an awesome map!! Love the mountain range, did you draw it yourself?

If you are referring to mine, yes I did draw the mountains, with the advice and help and teeth knashing of several people who dragged me kicking and screaming through how to draw mountains And I still have a lot to learn, so dig in and try it

[Llannagh]

To me it looks like you fell for the mighty photoshop effects! I kknow, I used all of them tools too, but sometimes less is more. I personally don't like the emboss effect on the coastline, for example, nor am I a big fan of gradients. But if you're new to this, go for it and try it out.

If you want to achieve something like in the Cradle you might want to try with a normal brush on a whit background and get your grips on how to draw the different things you want to depict. The Cradle has been done with watercolors on real paper btw, it's just the labelling that's been done digitally. Watercolors are Lingon's thing.

Anyways, don't give up and practice. I sure did and I'm having fun!

[ChimeraArtz]

NO WAY?! He painted that?! That's freaking amazing! All of you guys are so amazing at this. I've been sketching so hopefully if I keep at these sketches I'll return back to Photoshop and try again