Illustrated Maps - Paper textures on top or below?

[Tiana]

Oh, yeah, I probably should have stressed this - every map and every texture combo is unique, and only by trial and error do I find the blending modes that work with that particular combo. And I too do use other modes now and again, even if the mentioned three often end up being what I need.

That sounds about right... people ask me "so how do you" and I'm like "uh I dunno, I'm not sure if I could ever replicate this, it's a whole lot of textures sandwiched together with blend modes and merged for computer ease... so IT'S A MYSTERY TO ME!" I use hard light and glow dodge a lot but with your style I'm not surprised you're using multiply a lot. It is NOT an exact art.