Cartography: Lightshaven

[Jason Baane]

I was recently asked to do a regional map of a kingdom called Lightshaven. Since I'm eager to help out new role-playing settings in any way I could, I jumped at the opportunity.

At first I slammed together a clumsy map using map brushes and stamps that I just hammered in place inside the guidelines I was presented. But as of exactly 12:01am of this new year, I got started on a real map.

Six hours and forty minutes later, this is what I have so far. I'm looking for critique, here. My mapping is much better than when I did the latest edition of the Silvermoon map, and that's only because of outside criticism.



For comparison:

[Raven_Lionheart]

Holy crap that's awesome.  I'm not worthy man!  But seriously, excellent work!  You should be getting paid for this stuff.

Oh yeah, since I missed you on both occasions, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year bub.

[POLICHROMA]

Uhh. It doesn't look like very authentic cartography, but...It just uh, hmm. Seems like a whole lotta photoshoppin'. Colors are really bright, and everything seems obviously stamped or shooped.
I guess it works for RPs---so it's very effective when it comes to that. Gets the points across, very easy to read [the text could be better]. So, for that it works, but it's not very pretty to look at. 

In fact, I was confused as to why you posted it here---I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a piece of art or just as something RP-related that's visual.

[Jason Baane]

The one on top is to replace the one on bottom, btw.

As I explained in my post, the one on bottom was a stopgap.

[Aurelia]

Its looking good so far, definatley has a bit to go but im liking how is shaping thus far. Also Id just like to point out that even though its not like a picture drawing I have made a map myself and theres ALOT of graphic design that goes into them depending on how you make them, so I wouldnt totaly rule it out of the art category, its just diffrent than what everyone is used to thinking of as 'Art'.

[POLICHROMA]

Graphic design is by all means art, and not an easy course to follow.

I was just commenting that these particular pieces lack elements of a completed, successful work of art for something that, by putting in this board I'm assuming is supposed to be shown as a piece of art. However, it functions as a useful work. So---in other words I was under the impression that it was both supposed to be a piece and a useful item. One of those is successful, the other I was critiquing as being not as successful.

[POLICHROMA]

I think the Photoshop is killing you here. I apologize for mincing words, and I'm going to be honest for a moment. It really looks awful. I know what you're trying to do, and Photoshop doesn't seem to be your friend.

I feel like this would look leagues better if you did it by hand. It just...that whole basic RGB palette and not too pretty somewhat stamped on text and images---it really does not make this piece stand out, seem original or even memorable. And it certainly doesn't lend an authentic look. All of this could probably be avoided if you went with traditional media. It's part user error---again, your message is clear, but your method is stifling that.
I'm not sure if these tools are avaliable to you, and if not, Painter might be a good option. Photoshop would also work if you were willing to push it farther.


Great examples :

http://keithwormwood.deviantart.com/art/Caricature-Map-of-Europe-1914-140181883

http://k-tim.deviantart.com/art/World-Map-49397519

http://fragless.deviantart.com/art/Map-of-Eltar-28208522

http://jenosavel.deviantart.com/art/Guild-Wars-Antique-Map-79344858

[Jason Baane]

The one on top is to replace the one on bottom, btw.

As I explained in my post, the one on bottom was a stopgap.

The one on the top is the WIP that I need critiqued.

One on the bottom is a half-assed attempt I did in a few minutes and am trying to replace.

[POLICHROMA]

I was speaking about both. So, it still stands. Look at those examples for ideas. And even though they're all maps, they have really nice compositional elements.

[Rook]

It's a fairly interesting example of fantasy cartographic styles.

The only thing I guess that bothers me is how I keep reading the post as 'Light Shaven'.

Otherwise, good up the good work.

[Rosery]

It's a fairly interesting example of fantasy cartographic styles.

The only thing I guess that bothers me is how I keep reading the post as 'Light Shaven'.

Otherwise, good up the good work.

That should be placed on me, as it is my realm and the map dimensions and positioning as well as the name of the Empire, is quite mine. But the name works well for a group of fanatical undead and demon haters that belive they are doing God's work by purging the tainted and bringing the light to those corrupted. Anywho.


Poli, all of your links were to things of entire worlds or contients whereas this map is designed to give a readable, decent and realtivly pleasing to the eye way of finding your way about the kingdom when you Rp. I appreciate more than I can put into words what Jason is doing for me but it is not meant to be art you hang on the wall. This is meant for people to look at, understand how the kingdom works and then...Rp and probably never look at it again. Those styles you linked would NEVER work well enough for this kind of map, not for me anyway they would be hard to read and I'd feel like I HAD to know all about the geography just to Rp in the room. I don't want people to be intimdated. Also I happen to like both the maps.

Jason: Ahh my friend the top one is looking SWEET, I mean just awesome. There are some points I would like to discuss but I shall do so on MSN, for now I adore it, it's gonna work wonderfully for Lights Haven the point of a mass purging for this place of evil and taint! (=P A joke for any of you tight asses out there who might think im bashing my second home here)

[Jason Baane]

Minor update.

[Pink]

It's a fairly interesting example of fantasy cartographic styles.

The only thing I guess that bothers me is how I keep reading the post as 'Light Shaven'.

Otherwise, good up the good work.

That should be placed on me, as it is my realm and the map dimensions and positioning as well as the name of the Empire, is quite mine. But the name works well for a group of fanatical undead and demon haters that belive they are doing God's work by purging the tainted and bringing the light to those corrupted. Anywho.


Poli, all of your links were to things of entire worlds or contients whereas this map is designed to give a readable, decent and realtivly pleasing to the eye way of finding your way about the kingdom when you Rp. I appreciate more than I can put into words what Jason is doing for me but it is not meant to be art you hang on the wall. This is meant for people to look at, understand how the kingdom works and then...Rp and probably never look at it again. Those styles you linked would NEVER work well enough for this kind of map, not for me anyway they would be hard to read and I'd feel like I HAD to know all about the geography just to Rp in the room. I don't want people to be intimdated. Also I happen to like both the maps.

Jason: Ahh my friend the top one is looking SWEET, I mean just awesome. There are some points I would like to discuss but I shall do so on MSN, for now I adore it, it's gonna work wonderfully for Lights Haven the point of a mass purging for this place of evil and taint! (=P A joke for any of you tight asses out there who might think im bashing my second home here)

Well, hence the earlier confusion. I don't see why the styles couldn't work, but its YOUR RP, not MINE. I don't see why he can't aim for something well enough to hang. And well---I was confused about that, but he put it in the art thread and I seem to have gotten confirmation that this was in fact, well, art---and he asked for criticism and I gave it.

The reason for the criticism was to show him how one could make a useful and artistically well-done product. I think he has the talent to do both. If he didn't want that, then perhaps putting it in the ART forum was not the right place. The idea I had was to critique based on goals to end with a better finished artistic product. Anyhow, this person is not unskilled, and my critiques still stand. He could do more with it and I don't think you should say that he can't someday hang his maps up on a wall.
And for all of the work he's putting into it, it shouldn't be something that people just look at and forget. To me that belittles his efforts. He seemed to be serious about it, so my aim was to give him serious criticism.




second one is looking better, btw

[Jason Baane]

Update again. Tried to make the mountains look more like mountains instead of stringy plateaus.

[Atheism]

Looks good, Jason. Kudos.

The one critique I have is that, on the latest map, the river seems to be "on top" of the land. Almost like it's just laying across it. Maybe darken it or add different shading to make it look more natural.

[B[ M ]K]

Map-making is awesome. My hat off to a fellow creator.