Completely Overwhelmed

[Gidde]

I'd like to second everything msa just said.

Your map is MUCH better than my first attempts, lol. I'm still no picasso, but after doing all the things he listed, I'm getting better all the time and starting to feel really proud of the progress I've made.

You'll start loving your maps too, chin up

Oh ... and this one bears repeating: while experimenting write EVERYTHING down. Nothing is worse than finally achieving something that looks cool and then not having a clue how to repeat it.

[voidgere]

Let me say this again...

I did not make this map

I am not a fan of plagiarism and just want to be really clear on this subject. I found the map on the net and would love to give credit to the artist but I lost the URL to the original.

It inspired me to finally sit down and make the RPG I have always wanted to author so I used the map. The quality left something to be desired so I search the net for a way to improve the map for my needs (print quality has to be a minimum of 300dpi). I found the Guild during my search.

[Coyotemax]

The suggestion to start small and work your way up is good.

I understand you were looking to create a specific map for a specific project. So try that. Pick just one tutorial and stick with it. follow it word for word, right to the letter. Post your work as you go and ask for suggestions or clarifications. Speaking from experience, the tutorial authors are active on this site and seem very willing to share their views and help clarify points. Plus a number of others on the site have gone through the same tutorials a number of times and can offer helpful suggestions.

So go ahead, start it from scratch, toss something up here after you get a few steps in when you seem to lose track of what's going on, and let's see if you can't make a masterpiece by the time you're done!

[The Silent Cartographer]

Well that i have been in the "artist" enviroment for a few years now (allthough not producing much, mostly watching and talking with them) only one thing is true: DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE

without love and passion nothing good will come out of what you do.... no matter how much yoou force yourself to do something..it will not be as good as work done with passion and love...

my best friend produces art, there have been times when she have wanted to give up because its so hard and that she feels like she doesnt develop enough... but one thing is sure... she is passionate about what she do, she loves what she do

and that is what pulls her through when things look dark and she jsut want to give up

now..she doesnt create maps..she creates drawings...mostly from our Rolleplays, or fan art from games... and when she look back on her earliest works and her developments, she agrees that she have developed as an artist....

find something you love, i can't tell how many times i have tried and force myself to draw something, create something in 3D Studio Max..... so..i gave cartography a shot...and i frigging love it

now..the question is..will i love it to the point that i will till do it even though everything seems black? well time will tell

[icosahedron]

One thing to bear in mind is that this site is a whole-world forum - the guys who post beautiful maps here are some of the best fantasy cartographers in the world.

It's hardly surprising if you don't quite reach their standards.

Would you expect to emulate Picasso, Dali or Van Gogh just by following a tutorial they'd written?

Ask yourself whether your map is readable and serves its purpose. If so, it's a good map. You can always get better, but expect it to take a lifetime.

You imply that you're creating a game for publication. If so, you need to create your own map from scratch, and time spent cleaning up someone else's map is largely wasted.

Your first published RPG doesn't need a photorealistic map, it needs one that shows the players where they are. Subsequent games can include better maps as you develop your technique, and if your players want to upgrade the map you've given them, they can always join Cartographers Guild.

[Steel General]

Well after reading through this thread I had to throw in my $0.02.

Getting to be 'good' at something takes time and is a worthwhile process. There have been times where I have worked on a map then decided I'd had enough, but the encouragement of the folks here gives the 'old batteries' a jump and I get back to it. It may not be exactly what I had hoped for, but more times than not it is something I can take pride in.