April / May 2015 Lite Challenge: Nova Totios Nordeskiae Descriptio

[MstrWelf]

I needed to work on something different and after looking at some fantastic examples and also this great tutorial I started working on Nordeskia, a regional map. I show you where I am now but I'm not totally happy with the overall impression. Nothing is set in stone though and I'd like to hear your opinion in particular about the mountains and rivers. Thx in advance!

### Latest WIP ###

[industrygothica]

My opinions:

To me the rivers are a little dark, and could maybe use a bit of a taper at their beginning. A couple of your mountain stamps have been cut into by the coast.. maybe just resize them a little or something.

I really like your land shape and the color pallet you've chosen, with the possible exception of the brownish-green in your border. But even that might look good after a bit of dirtying up.

All in all, it's a terrific start! Can't wait to see more.


-IG

[JefBT]

I begun drawing artistically because of that tutorial.

The border seems strange, maybe it's because the texture is the same as the ground texture. Just my opinion. Besides that, it's a great map, I like the coastlines and the mountains a lot.

[MstrWelf]

Thx industrygothica and JefBT; I tried to fix some of the issues you mentioned and which bothered me too at a second glance. I still need to rework the rivers but there are only so many hours in a day and I gotta work too

A couple of your mountain stamps have been cut into by the coast..

You really used the magnifying glass there LOL but that's done.

...But even that might look good after a bit of dirtying up....

If any, we'll dirty it up at the end and have a party then, agreed? Good, let's wait till then.

The border seems strange, maybe it's because the texture is the same as the ground texture.

I gave it a try and changed it but if you look at maps from the 17th and 18th century, the border is often the same than the not colored base map and in my case that is parchment... I'll go with it for the time being and also depending what other visitors think of it!
Please let me hear your opinion! Color ok, rivers nice, mountains to small?
Thank you all!

### Latest WIP ###

[JefBT]

Great border now. Everything else is also great.

[Bogie]

Looking Good, nice fixes!

[MstrWelf]

Moving along with some additions and fixes. Tried to get the rivers right this time; tapered them better and tried a lighter blue. What do you think about it now?
Added the two ornamental thingies around or under the text but probably rather place holders than the final result along with ship and sea monster. What do you think about the trees?
Well, have a look!

### Latest WIP ###

[industrygothica]

Your trees and your buildings look nice, but I think they need some shadows to settle them in. Your rivers are looking better too; you did a great job of tapering them. I don't think that the increase in image size did any favors for your mountains, though.

Overall it's looking great.


-IG

[waldronate]

Don't forget to put a compass rose mirror-reversed and facing left. Slightly off the Kola peninsula above the cartouche (instead of the boat) would be a good spot, I think. The elements are nicely done and coherent, I think.

[Bogie]

I like the trees. Shadows are good, shadows are your friend.