Rough Sketch Coastal w/ Large Island(s)

[Korash]

I think it is OK, but I do have a few comments.

The left half of it looks a bit too square, as if you were trying to fill the paper. If you look at an atlas, you will rarely something as blocky as that. When drawing a landmass, don't draw it so big that you might be restricted by the paper. Try drawing it around the center of the page (not circular, just don't be guided by the edges) and let the hand flow where it wants to.

I do like some of the features you have there. I do like me fiords.

Another thing you might want to try as well, is sometimes add a few little islands as you draw the coasts. Adds a bit more "believability" to the whole land mass. Once the land is drawn, you might think about a rough scale. The next step would be figuring out where the features go. Start with physical features like mountains, hills ect, then forests or maybe rivers.

Once you have these placed, it would be a good time to decide on whether you will continue by hand (and here is where the real work begins) or by computer. If you want to go the computer route, there are plenty of tutorials in the Tutorial/How to forum at the bottom of the site's main page. Once you find a tut that you like the style of, look in the first post to see the prog used, and check out the Software forum to find out about that. Be warned, it take a lot of practice to get good at doing it by hand, but the results are usually worth it. Check ot the Finished Maps forum to see what can be done with both computer and some Hand work too.

Have fun mapping, and don't give up too soon.

[marcuslee]

I think it is OK, but I do have a few comments.

You are too gracious.

The left half of it looks a bit too square, as if you were trying to fill the paper. If you look at an atlas, you will rarely something as blocky as that. When drawing a landmass, don't draw it so big that you might be restricted by the paper. Try drawing it around the center of the page (not circular, just don't be guided by the edges) and let the hand flow where it wants to.

Yes, you are the second person to say this, so I think I will be redoing that part of the map. I am creating it for a project that this other guy is working with me on, and he is creating another continent, so I was waiting to see what his looks like before I changed that square side.

I do like some of the features you have there. I do like me fiords.

I tried to vary the land as much as possible.

Another thing you might want to try as well, is sometimes add a few little islands as you draw the coasts. Adds a bit more "believability" to the whole land mass.

I wasn't worried about them at the time, but I didn't forget them either. Since I hadn't thought about scale, I decided to hold off on them.

Once the land is drawn, you might think about a rough scale.

What do you think would be a good scale for this map based upon what I have done with it so far?

The next step would be figuring out where the features go. Start with physical features like mountains, hills ect, then forests or maybe rivers.

Do you have any suggestions as to how many of each? For example, the map I created, assuming that I will vary the square side some, bringing it in a little, how many mountain ranges would be a good number?

I know the answer might vary based upon scale.

Once you have these placed, it would be a good time to decide on whether you will continue by hand (and here is where the real work begins) or by computer. If you want to go the computer route, there are plenty of tutorials in the Tutorial/How to forum at the bottom of the site's main page. Once you find a tut that you like the style of, look in the first post to see the prog used, and check out the Software forum to find out about that. Be warned, it take a lot of practice to get good at doing it by hand, but the results are usually worth it. Check ot the Finished Maps forum to see what can be done with both computer and some Hand work too.

At this point if I continue to do this by myself with hints from ones like yourself, I won't be worried about how good it is. Just will it work for my purposes?

Have fun mapping, and don't give up too soon.

I'll try to have fun and not quit. Of course, at some point I may move on to another project. We'll see. Your suggestions and info will help keep me thinking about the map(s), and thinking about them is the biggest thing to keep my attention.

Thank you so much!



Mark

[Korash]

I will answer your last question first. The best person to judge if it suits your purpose is you. I know that sounds a bit hokey, but it is also true. I don't see any reasons why it wouldn't, seeing as how you are the one making it. If it doesn't fit right now, just change it 'til it does.

If you look at the world map (ours) you will see that North America looks nothing like Europe. Why wait for your friend to finish his? All that will do is put you guys that much further behind what ever type of shed you want to keep. I really cant think of anything that he may do that should invalidate anything you do.

This looks to me about the size of Europe, or maybe Asia, but just by changing the scale, I could have the Falkland Islands looking like a huge continent. And in fact have actually thought of doing that link. So if you want it to be smaller, just apply a smaller scale. Like I said before about terrain, just look at the map and see what come to mind and place them. Judge by eye as to what seems right. just try not to overload it. Scale will also affect how many rivers you will actually see. there are not too many rivers that appear on a full world satellite map, so the larger the scale the fewer rivers. Again go with what looks right. Just as a quick opinion, I see the the upper left part as similar terrain as the Balkans or the Scandinavian countries like Norway or Finland.

And finally, If you do start to put any real time on this, or another map project, I cannot suggest strongly enough that you post up a WIP thread and we could help you out a lot more, because more people look at those and they usually get much more response too.

[marcuslee]

Why wait for your friend to finish his? All that will do is put you guys that much further behind what ever type of shed you want to keep. I really cant think of anything that he may do that should invalidate anything you do.

The reason for waiting was because I wanted to have an Africa/S. America effect - two continents that have a similar but opposite shape on one side, indicating a Pangaea effect.

The rest of your post was good. I will definitely start another post in the right area. Thanks.

I haven't decided if the scale should be small or larger. I am thinking that it should be at least medium, like you said Europe type size. When you zoom in real far in real life, land doesn't tend to make such drastic turns as my map. You have to zoom out some to get that effect.



Mark