I particularly like the shape you've made with the sea, best, though its a little dark for my taste. I'm not sure about the political colours (but then I've never made a political map in my life). Perhaps a bit richer and slightly textured? Or... through my eyes you've given it a very... 'ancient mariner' sort of projection shape... sorry, not good at explaining what I mean by that, but I think it would look even better as a parchment based map with a bit more texture in the ocean - a few rhumb lines maybe?

(Or its just possible I really don't know what I'm talking about at all! LOL)