February 2019 Challenge: Tuura City
The start of this one wasn't as smooth as one could have hoped. This was the start of Daniel's original brief to me:
So what you'll need to start with is drink a cup of coffee. When you're finished, take a picture of the cup. The stains on the inside will determine the primary shape of the map. This can either be a world or regional map, a city map, or even a dungeon or structure.
I always love using random shapes like this to create maps. The only problem being, I don't drink the brown p*** brewed by the bean demons. After consulting with Dan, we agreed I could use some other random natural-ish shapes instead.
For a bit, I considered using the gross food stains on my stove, but eventually decided nobody wanted to see that picture, and I sure as hell didn't want to look at it for even longer. So I cleaned the stove like a normal person for once and was still no closer to getting the map started.
When trying to find something else to use, I suddenly remembered I had this.
This is frost on the balcony glass at my grandparents' place up in Kuusamo, taken last winter with my rather bad camera phone.
So I took the picture, and traced a shape alongside the frost patterns (I'm currently living separated from my Cintiq so I had to do this with my mouse, please excuse the fantastic quality of the mask).
This will serve as my starting point (unless Dan has any objections).
Dan's brief went on:
However, for each style of map there are a couple of requirements and some bonus points to be scored.
Main requirements:
World/regional map:
- There must be at least three distinct cultures visible on the map. How you decide to show that is up to you, but it must be clear that these are culturally different from each other.
City Map:
- There must be at least three ruling houses in the town or city. Again, how you decide to do that is up to you, but it must be shown visually.
Dungeon/building
- Same as before, this dungeon or building must have at least three residents. These can be three individuals, three tribes, three bosses. Whatever you choose.
Bonus Points:
- Squeeze in references to guild members
- Use a colour palette that's bright and soft, contrary to what you usually do
- Finish this map before the end of the challenge
Now, I figured I might actually travel beyond my comfort zone for a bit and, rather than the regional map my mind immediately goes to, drop the scale down and build a city on this broken coast.
Will I come to regret this decision, or will this be the best map ever made? Join Kell's wild frost mapping extravaganza and find out!
