Map 59 - Arlys

[Caenwyr]

I'm a bit less fond of the blue lines (too "modern times" maybe ?) but I think I'll just wait to see what you'll do with that for the next wip befor I'll make my mind !

I'm not sure, but I think the blue lines are draft guides that decided to peek through so we could get a glimpse at Beee's trade secrets!

[MistyBeee]

I haven't got the faintest idea why this thread eluded me for so long, but I'm in love!! Also, very envious of your skills, but mostly in love!

Haha, thanks Canwyr ! No dout the Lady of the Map will return your love !

That's unbelievable ! Where do you find the time to draw such a crazy border ?
the buildings are just amazing and the whole illustration is striking ! What an ambiance !

I'm a bit less fond of the blue lines (too "modern times" maybe ?) but I think I'll just wait to see what you'll do with that for the next wip befor I'll make my mind !

Glad you love the buildings, Jo ! But hmm... is that the design of the lines you're sceptical about or the color ? 'cause the color is obviously totally temporary : I always use that blue for my sketches
Anyway, the frame shoud be a bit more modern that what I usually do, 'cause I need to explore different styles. I'll probably go for something between Art Nouveau & Art Deco, to fit the Steampunk general style of the map.
Where do I find the time... well... I have one word for you : lockdown ! But joke appart, I'm in a weird period, with my clients very, very late at answering me, so my current work is slowed down and let me some very welcome free hours every day

I am curious too about the border. Its so neat with all the buildings having arches so symetical and bulbous domed roofs so perfectly rounded. Its so arty and yet technical. If I even deluded myself that I had the ability and wished that I wanted something similar to that then I would have to build the whole damn thing in sketchup or something and technical apps tend to sap the artistic side of things. Do you use a CAD type package for this or is this still all done in a paint / 2d vector app ?

Oh no, absolutely no CAD ! That would take so much time for me ! ^^
The city is 100% freehand, drawn in Photoshop with my dear Cintiq, except I used the symmetry tool in Photoshop on the round-shaped buildings, in order to save time. For this city, I started with a very rough grid showing the general shape and strong lines, and just added buildings on that general skeleton, floor by floor. As you can see, I firstly planned to draw a big rocky structure at the bottom. I started with the top part of the city, 'cause from experience I learned it's the best for me to start with the smallest buildings, developping the specific architecture style as long as they grow to the bottom. Once reached the 'medium sized' buildings, I realised the rocky part wouldn't fit, so I decided to add a foreground with bigger buildings to give give a more detailed, and better idea, of the general style of the city and country. Also a better balance with the Lady.

I'm not sure, but I think the blue lines are draft guides that decided to peek through so we could get a glimpse at Beee's trade secrets!

Haha, indeed ! Thanks Caenwyr ^^