The Lands of Trolnarm

[J.Edward]

I wanted to make a map that was like the ones you'd find in old fairy tale books from long ago.
I feel like I may have achieved it with this one. You will decide for yourself though.
It started as pencil on 11x17 charcoal paper and then was colored in PS.

The map shows the region where Tibon, a young woodsman from the Far Wood, journeys through the Lands of Trolnarm as he seeks to lift a curse that has plagued his homeland for many years and gets caught up in other adventures and ultimately learns lessons from the Sea, Stone, and the Sky. He learns that prejudice can get you killed if you're unwilling to see things in a new light [Trolls aren't always what you think they are] and 'good people' can still be bad. Everything is not always what it appears to be.

I had a lot of fun making this map... well, mostly.
The color was a problem for a bit.. it was going to be done as watercolor like Haldeshar, but I changed my mind.
Hope you enjoy it. Cheers, J

[Mouse]

Ooooh!

That's beeeeautiful!

If I were 45 years younger I'd want that on my bedroom wall, to send me off to dreamland... Hell I want it now - age be damned!

There was only one tiny thing that caught my eye, and that was the way that the label "Cloud Haven" seemed a bit squished against the hill, but other than that - a complete dream illustration

[snodsy]

Yeah that captures the fairy tale flair very well. Would love to hear the stories told. Absolutely beautiful , love your uplifting mountain boulders you've been doing lately. This is a Cartographer's Choice applicant if I've ever seen one. Thanks for sharing!!

[J.Edward]

Ooooh!

That's beeeeautiful!

If I were 45 years younger I'd want that on my bedroom wall, to send me off to dreamland... Hell I want it now - age be damned!

There was only one tiny thing that caught my eye, and that was the way that the label "Cloud Haven" seemed a bit squished against the hill, but other than that - a complete dream illustration

Thanks Mouse
Cloud Haven was supposed to be coming form behind the one mountain and going in front of the other, but I guess it does look a bit cramped.
Ah, no worries. It is how pencil drawing goes sometimes.

Edit - snodsy the ninja Thank you sir

[ChickPea]

Oh man, this is just beautiful! I could easily see this in a kids' book. Your linework is fantastic and the colouring's lovely. Fantastic work all round.

[Greg]

Absolutely wonderful work! I love the way the hills roll, but everything rolls with them in a beautiful fashion that very much reminds me of stories I read when I was younger.

The more you look at it, the more it draws you in with all the little details.

Stunning work here J and I can definitely see you kept that promise of a mappy birthday!

[Wingshaw]

Another fantastic piece, J. I like this style you've been working with lately: quite realistic but nonetheless very fairytale-ish. You have definitely achieved the look you were going for, I'd say.

I wanna ask two questions about this map:
--how long did this take you to make?
--is the story from your own imagination (and if so I'd be curious to know where you're going to take it next)?

THW

[Chashio]

Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yes. Absolutely beautiful artwork, J! Yes.

[ThomasR]

Beautiful landscape John.

[Abu Lafia]

First of all, a belated happy birthday John! This is a lovely piece (you know i have a weakness for "storydriven" maps ) and i think you really "nailed" the fairy-taleish mood in it. Linework and smooth coloring are splendid (as usual)! Love the Ho(h)lbein reference