My Map (Beginner, Questions inside)

[ZayZe]

Map

Direct Link _{(Higher Res)}

Was wondering if anyone knew of any resources to help add some detail in the map, I've only done this for a couple days now. I'm no professional, nor am I a graphic artist...

(I know the grass is on top of river, I can fix that later)

This map is a work in progress, just making it for an RP as we go along through the world.

[Mae]

@ZayZe It's looking great so far! Do you mean links to tutorials/resources for map creating generally or for the programme you're using specifically?

[ZayZe]

Slightly updated version of the map

Map

Direct Link

Thank you!! I'm glad. It's come a long way since I first tried doing the basic things.

Well, I'm using GIMP. So I don't know if that helps any. Like I'm not really too sure what kind of details I can put into the map to make it look less plain I guess.

I don't know.

I'm also still working on it, so maybe it'll just fill out as time passes by.

[Mae]

it's really coming together!

One suggestion (and hey, this is just my personal preference!) is you might want to desaturate the green colour or/and add a texture to the overall map (like a grain texture for the grassland OR a paper texture over the top of the map) Can be finicky though so up to you if it's wroth it.

Here are some pretty awesome resources:

Stratomunchkin's Tutorial - comprehensive pdf download
Djekspek's tutorials - he has a library FILLED with individual stuff so have a shuffle through if you like.
Anything by these sexy people Like holy smokes, pretty much everything you could need.

I don't know how many future maps you plan on making, but theres this great book by Jerald Blando called "How to draw Fantasy Art & RPG Maps" which goes through every little thing piece by piece if that's your jam. I doubt you need to go that far, but I thought I might as well mention it :p