Canyon Lands - Top Down

[Josiah VE]

Wow, this is really incredible. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

[snodsy]

Thanks for the comments, I'm really enjoying this one, may take a while, and I'm not an overly patient person so hopefully I don't rush too much.

Very nice linework. One thing to watch out for is that watercourses always cross contours at right angles (follow the path of steepest descent).

Thanks Waldronate for the notice, I'll watch for that, I am starting with the actual USGS watershed layer as a template, so most should be close, but I do deviate.

[Weery]

Really great method and great looking map so far.

Thanks for posting your progress

[snodsy]

Here's an update, have to make sure I don't get to dense in places where it starts to "block up"

Just to note - there will be a second SHADOW layer that transitions from the harder edge to softer as well as going deeper into the shade. This will also so a few caves, openings, overhangs, etc to help define areas.

Haven't really defined the trees too much yet.


Comments welcome.

[HadrianVI]

This is looking great. I'm still looking into improving my own techniques and it looks like I could learn a lot from following your work.

[snodsy]

Thanks Hadrian, just so you know I just did a tutorial on this style, you can find it Tutorials or on my page under "started threads" Look forward to seeing your work.

[snodsy]

An update, initial line work and coloring of forest, more features, moving along.

[SteffenBrand]

The height-lines look incredibly realistic and easy to follow, I like it a lot! Excited to see the finished piece! =)

[Ilanthar]

It's looking great! I love the added shading of the river and forests.

[Mouse]

This is excellent work, Snodsy

By no means a criticism, and merely a matter of taste, but I'm finding the river bank just a tiny bit sharp - I'm getting the feeling that the river is about 20 feet lower than the banks.