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Looks like a good start, and I really like that you are organizing your learning process. Makes me wonder if you are in some field of education
The Eastern Shore (Ned's practice map #1)
Hello all!
This is the WIP for my first (and not very good) map, The Eastern Shore. This project is to accustom me to GIMP. As I create various maps, I will re-create this map to try to find what works best. Eventually, one of the iterations will be used for a (digitally hosted) tabletop game.
Here is the sketch that I started with:
End of today's practice (2015 05 03):
Today's goal was simply program familiarization. To that extent, I think that I am somewhat okay.
My skills are a long way from being to where I want to be. My current goals are this:
1. Continue to create maps to familiarize myself with the interface and tools
2. Practice various techniques for accomplishing the same goal to determine styles and program nuances
3. Design usable and appealing maps by continual practice.
4. Eventually purchase a tablet (it's all mouse for the time being)
These being said, I am open to critiques, suggestions, and other feedback!
Looks like a good start, and I really like that you are organizing your learning process. Makes me wonder if you are in some field of education
It looks like you can use layers and gradients now.
Next try masks and you are well on the way.
Well done.
Thanks both!
@Chick: I'm not in education, but thanks for the compliment!
@Deadshade: funny enough, I used maps a couple different times during the process. I will definitely continue to work on it though, as well as bump mapping and plenty of practice
I really like your start! Now just practise, practise and practise and soon enough you can just play around without following tutorials and you might get something even better than you hoped!
For more this is great, especially the forests.
Thanks much! Truth be told, I was using arsheesh's tutorial (and stamps).
The final image from yesterday's practice:
Today, I decided to try again using the muted colors palette. I also tried a different method for mountains.
Unfortunately, I misjudged the size for mountains. I will also need to apply a 50% grey and blend the mountains into the rest of the map. This will likely be approached on my next map practice.
Still needing to work on blending layers, but I'm not sucking as much:
Well if those brownish cookie looking shapes are mountains then they are far off what would be mountaineous.
The general shape should be a rugged thin line. It joins with the plains via gradually decreasing secondary ridges (at more or less right angle to the maine ridge) so that a mountain chain looks a bit like a fish skeleton. Between the secondary ridges are places where generally rivers take their source.
A mountain "grows" out of a continent while yours seem to be glued upon it.
Also the colors generally match with the surrounding - foothills green then going gray and white as one climbs higher.
But most importantly they have a rugged highly irregular main ridgeline - not much smoothness in a mountain which is supposed to be more than a hill.
Or... those redish blobs (don't be offended if I call them that... they just seem blobs) could be Uluru-like inselbergs...
The base needs to merge smoothly into the surrounding green flats - to do this the fastest, easiest, way is learning to use layer masks.. I think I am the second one suggesting it, actually
