Nov-Dec 2019 Challenge: The Empire of Harleress

[Greg]

Been a while, but going to head on into this challenge!

"Through the great entrance to the Library of Scribes, then down the long winding stairs to its lower levels, one will find a solid wooden door barred behind a small portcullis. Down past this barricade and into the secret depths of the library, objects of mystery, wonder and horror lie dormant. Books sewn from flesh, stone tablets of ancient rituals, grimoires of solid metal and many objects that seemingly have no place in this world. Those fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate enough, to see these marvels, will notice in the corner of this dingy, candlelit hall there lies crates upon crates of untouched and unsorted material deemed to have come from elsewhere.

It is in amongst these, that the Tome of Ynoves sits. A large, seemingly innocuous volume, within it's solid oak covers, it contains parchment upon parchment of maps. Of where and when, that's unknown. By whom, no one is quite sure, other than the name "Ynov" inked in a dark carmine in the corner of every piece. It is an Atlas. And when opened, the first page it falls on reads The Empire of Harleress…"

Empire of Harleress v1.jpg

[Kellerica]

Hey there, stranger! So nice of you to pop back in. Feels like it's been ages since I've last seen your work around here.

I already love your mountains, and I'm sure they'll only improve with color and shading. So glad to see you joining in. I'll watch this one very closely!

[Greg]

Thank you, K!

Another update, not too much changed with linework, but lots of playing around with texture and ocean.

Empire of Harleress v2.jpg

[Kellerica]

Interesting pattern for the ocean! I'd maybe try leaving a little non-patterned ring around the coastlines... but that's just me.

I love that border already. So simple, yet really beautiful somehow.

[DrWho42]

i'm enjoying the organic take on the waterways!

[Greg]

Interesting pattern for the ocean! I'd maybe try leaving a little non-patterned ring around the coastlines... but that's just me.

I love that border already. So simple, yet really beautiful somehow.

Thank you! I've tried a slight gap this time. Not sure which I prefer. This one definitely gives more definition to the coastlines and gives them more pop though!

i'm enjoying the organic take on the waterways!

Thanks, Dr Who!

Okay, latest update. Mountains are shaded now. Onto the forests and locations now!

### Latest WIP ###
Empire of Harleress v3.jpg

[Kellerica]

Thank you! I've tried a slight gap this time. Not sure which I prefer. This one definitely gives more definition to the coastlines and gives them more pop though!

I think it looks great!

[Ilanthar]

Excellent work so far! I really like the simple elegance of your frame/grid by the way.

[MistyBeee]

Promising so far ! Great mountains, and I love this frame a lot

[Greg]

I think it looks great!

Thanks again!

Excellent work so far! I really like the simple elegance of your frame/grid by the way.

Thanks, Ilanthar!

Promising so far ! Great mountains, and I love this frame a lot

Thanks, Bee! That frame seems to be getting a lot of attention!


Latest update with basic trees in place (so many trees!!) I've also uploaded it at a higher resolution this time (still only half actual size, but I'll save that until the end!)

### Latest WIP ###
Empire of Harleress v3.jpg