Random sketches by Thomas

[J.Edward]

In your map making process, when do you decide on how you will approach the compass rose?
Do you generally know early on, or is it a later stage thing?

[ChickPea]

Oh, it's fantastic! The compass practically leaps off the page. Looking forward to seeing the full map. It'll be a stunner!

[ThomasR]

In your map making process, when do you decide on how you will approach the compass rose?
Do you generally know early on, or is it a later stage thing?

I guess it depends. I always think about the compass early. It is kind of my happy place in mapmaking so, on a map like this one where there were a ton of islands, the coastal details got tedious so, I jumped to the compass design for a breather. Sometimes it is right in the middle of the mountains (my second step after the coastlines). It is an early thing for me, at least in the intention and planning. The execution is something that is usually spread out through the whole project.

Oh, it's fantastic! The compass practically leaps off the page. Looking forward to seeing the full map. It'll be a stunner!

You said leap ? Just for you, Ruby, here is the cast shadows first version



I wanted a compass that is laid upon the map but I'll have to change the shadows as the client wants it to hover above it instead

Any thoughts to make it better (besides shading the dents, that's planned already) ?