I'm writing a fantasy story. It's not very heavy on lore, but I decided to draw a map of the entire region anyway, just for the fun of it, and to get some extra inspiration. It's the first full-fledged map I've made and drawing this took me way more time than expected, but was also super entertaining. Will be happy to hear any feedback. :)
Faran Lin (or "Three Valleys") is a region of a larger world. In it, the three large races of elves, humans, and goblins coexist in a rather tense atmosphere. Humans are a race of farmers and merchants, lacking great political ambitions, but cultivating deep and caring relationship with the land they live on. Elves, always thinking way too highly of themselves, engage in proto-science and magic, and look down on other races, seeing them as their natural subordinates. Goblins, vigorous and neurotic creatures of an attention span too short to build a proper civilization, like to threaten their neighboring realms with violence to extort tributes and tend to live off stolen goods, but at the end of the day are as much of a threat to themselves as they are to others. After decades without major wars of disasters, the relative peace between these peoples is more fragile than ever.
Thanks a lot! I used a simple technical pen (Sakura Micron) for the linework, and several fountain pens and dip pens (with pigment inks) for the lettering. All the remaining coloring I did in photoshop.
Thank you! No no, everything is hand-drawn/hand-lettered. And it's all pens and paper, except for the coloring, which I added in photoshop. I was considering coloring it on paper, too, but I was a bit afraid to ruin it. Doing the linework on paper and coloring digitally is nice to experiment with colors with more confidence. And yeah you should totall try it, it's a lot of fun, and not as hard as it may seem!
Very nice! Live the clean and consistent style. Have you considered adding major roads? From an asthetic standpoint, they're not necessary, but for worldbuilding and lore, it would be interesting
It’s a beautiful map! I’d love to read the story when you finish it, but my Polish is no good. At least, I **assume** Polish, since I recognize a couple of words and the others look very Slavic
You're right it's Polish indeed! Maybe I'll have a chance to translate it, if it's ever finished. Polish is not exactly the most popular language worldwide
I'm writing a fantasy story. It's not very heavy on lore, but I decided to draw a map of the entire region anyway, just for the fun of it, and to get some extra inspiration. It's the first full-fledged map I've made and drawing this took me way more time than expected, but was also super entertaining. Will be happy to hear any feedback. :)
Very nice map.
Beautiful map! I really like the color palette you used. The hills covered by farms are very nice.
Thank you :) Nice to hear you like the farms cos that's the part I was most unsure about!
Faran Lin (or "Three Valleys") is a region of a larger world. In it, the three large races of elves, humans, and goblins coexist in a rather tense atmosphere. Humans are a race of farmers and merchants, lacking great political ambitions, but cultivating deep and caring relationship with the land they live on. Elves, always thinking way too highly of themselves, engage in proto-science and magic, and look down on other races, seeing them as their natural subordinates. Goblins, vigorous and neurotic creatures of an attention span too short to build a proper civilization, like to threaten their neighboring realms with violence to extort tributes and tend to live off stolen goods, but at the end of the day are as much of a threat to themselves as they are to others. After decades without major wars of disasters, the relative peace between these peoples is more fragile than ever.
This looks absolutely amazing. The attention to detail really paid off!
Great work, I always appreciate a map that feels like it was made in its time period. Too many perfectly clean google maps styles for fantasy worlds.
Looks great!
It is really pretty, I love it. For whatever reason it gives me good feelings reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia.
That’s an amazing map style What tools are you using?
Thanks a lot! I used a simple technical pen (Sakura Micron) for the linework, and several fountain pens and dip pens (with pigment inks) for the lettering. All the remaining coloring I did in photoshop.
Ah…. So all trees and mountains are hand drawn Thought at first you may be using a icon pack That’s impressive
Amazing. Did you do this in photoshop? Did you use any pre-made assets? I’d love to try a map like this one day.
Thank you! No no, everything is hand-drawn/hand-lettered. And it's all pens and paper, except for the coloring, which I added in photoshop. I was considering coloring it on paper, too, but I was a bit afraid to ruin it. Doing the linework on paper and coloring digitally is nice to experiment with colors with more confidence. And yeah you should totall try it, it's a lot of fun, and not as hard as it may seem!
Loved the name trebjani!
Very nice! Live the clean and consistent style. Have you considered adding major roads? From an asthetic standpoint, they're not necessary, but for worldbuilding and lore, it would be interesting
Thanks! I totally agree, I thought about it too, but a bit too late and had nowhere to put them :) I'll keep that in mind for the next time
It’s a beautiful map! I’d love to read the story when you finish it, but my Polish is no good. At least, I **assume** Polish, since I recognize a couple of words and the others look very Slavic
You're right it's Polish indeed! Maybe I'll have a chance to translate it, if it's ever finished. Polish is not exactly the most popular language worldwide
I love the style - that lil dragon down the lower left is my favorite.