Regional map - Developing styles and techniques

[The-Somberlain]

As I mentioned in other post I am in the process of re-designing my whole campaign setting and thus I am working all my maps from the beginning, trying to have a consistent scale and style that will help me develop the world in a more solid way (and vice versa).

I am trying to develop my style and techniques, largely based on Pasi's excellent tutorial and the beautiful maps by Tear.

I am attaching a map that has a scale of 1px=0.5mi zoomed @50%. I am also including 100% zoom images of several details.

I am quite happy with the terrain. The dark green "belt" is supposed to be a deep valley created by a historic event long time ago. Also the coasts, are supposed to be cliffy and jagged, etc.

Do these elements show up in my map? What seems out of place? The river and the lakes are there for style testing purposes only, although the river will be something like this. I would also like to hear your comments on the coast. The west side is supposed to be a fjord-like area, largely formulated during the event described above.

Any comments and critiques are welcome.

[Djekspek]

looking very nice. I think the dark coastline does not fit really wit the more smoother terrain/rivers but maybe you planned to work on that. As for the Fjords am no expert on this but I'd add some islands (maybe get inspired by google earth norwegian coast...)

[Steel General]

I like this so far...

Is that supposed to be a delta at the end of the large river that flows thru the valley? If not, then you have some river violations as they generally do not split in such a way.

I also think the black 'stroke' on the coast doesn't work well - maybe try a shade od brown/tan that more closely matches your land mass.

[The-Somberlain]

So, after struggling with a lot of textures, techniques, layer settings, filters and experimenting with different combinations of all the above, I present you...what I consider to be a pleasing result!

I am not sure I am happy with the mountains yet, but my eyes are really burnt out after all these tests. So, I expect some feedback guys!

Also, I have included some text notes of what each area tries to represent to tell me if I got it.

One thing that bugs me is the scale. This supposed to be 1px=0.5 and I know some of the mountains might seem very large. Well, in the north I think it's ok, since its supposed to be a large, steep, practically impassable mountain range that tears the continent in two. I don't know about the rest...

Anyway, this by no means done, it needs a lot of work and still some experiments with forests!!!

But, I can't really see anything after so many hours so the choice is yours!

PS: the map is uploaded at full size.

[Steel General]

I like the overall look of the mountains but I think they need more 'spurs' or 'arms' or whatever you call them.

[guyanonymous]

I'm really enjoying the results. I like the way everything blends together, though I still think the coastline doesn't quite match.

[The-Somberlain]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

I am posting an update. I've worked the mountain shape, though it seems it needs a little bit more work. I've also came up with a forest style that I think matches the mountains. Finally, I worked on the sea texture and the coastline, but I think I still miss it...

The lakes are more and modeled after real-world areas. The valley is a sink for a lot of water so I felt it was natural to be filled with lakes. The rivers need some work, so I hide them for now.

So, check it out, I think I am more or less there...

PS: I am going to work on islands and stuff...it seems kind of empty and I think I have a good background that helps me incorporate an intricate island chain.

[CartoGeo]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

I am posting an update. I've worked the mountain shape, though it seems it needs a little bit more work. I've also came up with a forest style that I think matches the mountains. Finally, I worked on the sea texture and the coastline, but I think I still miss it...

The lakes are more and modeled after real-world areas. The valley is a sink for a lot of water so I felt it was natural to be filled with lakes. The rivers need some work, so I hide them for now.

So, check it out, I think I am more or less there...

PS: I am going to work on islands and stuff...it seems kind of empty and I think I have a good background that helps me incorporate an intricate island chain.

Would you provide the general 'land' texture and upload it to this site. I like it and want to add it to my collection, if you wouldn't mind?

[The-Somberlain]

Well here's an update! I added islands and a lot of them...This map has a lot of history, actually this were most of my world history begins and since I am redesigning the whole setting I thought I would begin here. It has been struck by the gods and the earth has shaken and stirred. So some strange formations are due to these events.

I also began labelling, to see how it looks...I don't know, need to clear my eyes a bit.

About the texture: The main land was actually formed using Pasi's tutorial with a bit different mix of layers. The texture is available in Pasi's tutorial post. I will probably post a detailed text about the map when it's finished as I would like to keep the same style in all of my overland maps from here on.

[The-Somberlain]

Here is another (major) update on my map. I think I am in the final stages of this one. I have added labels for most of the major geographical features. I only include the four important capital cities of the kingdoms, but maybe I will take them out and make a political map instead. I plan to begin some writing this weekend gathering and polishing my old notes about the area and including new ones. I suppose I might change or add some bits of the map.

Anyway, since I am nearing the completion of this project, I would appreciate any feedback from the community.

Thanks again guys!