• On The Map - Interviews with Cartographers 9

    Continuing our series of interviews with cartographers, this month we're talking to Karl Vesterberg, known to many as Tainotim. He's known for his traditional maps and for city maps in perspective.
    We asked him 7 questions, as we will in each interview.




    1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background...
    My name is Karl Vesterberg, I´m a freelance illustrator specializing in illustrative fantasy and city maps. I’m 24 and live in Gothenburg, Sweden, where I study history and cultural heritage at the University.

    2) How did you get into mapping?
    Maps have always intrigued me and especially fantasy maps. Growing up I started sketching some simpler maps for my own fantasy world and like many aspiring fantasy cartographers before me I were greatly inspired by Tolkien’s maps. About four years ago I started honing my craft with the ambition to create my own unique style, and from that point onward I have simply continued practicing to create my own signature style, using a combining of traditional and digital tools.



    3) Do you create maps professionally, or for fun? If you've sold your work, how did you get started? Any fun/horror stories to share about commissioned work?
    Recently I have mostly done maps professionally, however I still mainly do it for fun, treating it like a hobby that also pays the rent. I began doing commissions last year by making my own website. Only a day or two later I had my first commission and then I just continued from there, eventually creating my own company.
    Working with fantasy writers, RPG publishers and board game designers, I have found that the best part of doing commissions is that you often have the very special chance to illustrate another individual’s unique world. It can be tricky and often provides an artistic challenge, but is nevertheless always a delight as you are allowed to take part in something that someone often has worked on for years. And that is a treat in itself.


    4) What kind of computer setup/equipment/software do you have? Any advice or tips for learners?
    My process is based on two steps. Initially I draw everything with ink on paper, that I then scan and color, edit and label in Photoshop. The common advice to “keep honing your craft” also applies to cartography. Practice makes the master, and I for one still learn something new with every map I draw. However, my personal addition to this common advice for anyone who wants to stand out is - find your own style, polish it, and be proud of your accomplishments!



    5) What are your favourite kind of maps or favourite map makers from history?
    My favorite kind of maps are more illustrative city maps, perhaps from a birds-eye or isometric perspective. I can’t say that I really have a single favorite, but there are some cartographers that I have been extra influenced and inspired by in my work. Georg Braun and Frederik de Wit are two favorites, and also I have to add Blaidd Drwg here at the forum as a great source of inspiration.



    6) What do you consider your best piece of work? How about your favourite, if different?
    I consider the map I recently made for Nine Dragons RPG my best work, depicting their version of a future Japan, combining both mecha and traditional elements. However, my favorite map is the City of Hills that I made for the 2015 annual challenge, here at the guild. This map gave me chance to make a large city map, which is something I always wanted, while having great support from the guild as I progressed with it. And in the end I was very happy with the result.



    7) Where can we find you on the web?
    You can find me here at the cartographer’s guild or at my website www.traditionalmaps.com and my deviant art.