Mapping Strategies for Oceans and Coasts

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

I am nearing the completion of my first region for my Kelleemah map (Link for the high res version of WIP for Western Sutheimr).

One of the things that I am missing, and that I would like to go ahead and knock out for the world map is the ocean.

Right now, I have just a plain blue ocean with waves.

What is your advice for filling the oceans so they are more interesting instead of just an empty space?

Thanks :-)

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Initial ideas that I have are:
1. Compass (Looking at the original compass - I want to redo the eyes - add navigation lines)
2. Scale Bar (Looking at the original bar)
3. World Name (on a scroll of some type - Looking at January 2016 Annual)
4. Trade Routes (dotted lines with ships along the route)
5. Sea Monsters (Looking at current symbols plus January 2016 Annual)
6. Depth Shading (having problems on how to start - coast/islands)

LadieStorm · March 2016

You might also want to include things like... rocky coastal areas with lighthouses to warn those ships
perhaps a maelstrom out in the middle of the ocean(or even close to the shore?)
fishing regions where deep sea fishing is most plentiful?

those are my suggestions

JimP · March 2016

I have made some of my ocean areas with a light blue bitmap fill and labelled it as a sea mount used as a fishing area.

Here is an example:

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Posted By: LadieStormYou might also want to include things like... rocky coastal areas with lighthouses to warn those ships
perhaps a maelstrom out in the middle of the ocean(or even close to the shore?)
fishing regions where deep sea fishing is most plentiful?

those are my suggestions

Thanks LadieStrom & JimP,

1. Rocky coastal areas with lighthouses to warn those ships: I do have some reefs, and for some more southern areas, I can add some sandbars.
2. Perhaps a maelstrom: Maelstroms are so cliché, I am not sure that I want to place one on my world, it seems that almost every map has one. Maybe an area of dark evil looking clouds and lightning - what do you think?
3. Fishing regions where deep sea fishing is most plentiful: Depth shading should help a lot here, although fishing during this period was done closer to shore I believe.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

Anyone else?

LadieStorm · March 2016

dark evil looking clouds and lightning.... what do I think? Hmmmm.... I'm not called LADIESTORM for nothing!!! I think that would be fantastic!!! And you'll have to tell me how you accomplished it!

Tonnichiwa · March 2016

Hmm, well, there is always some hollow text that points to cultures off of the map, like in my Mincanti map. You could also show a tidal wave moving across the ocean. Or have a battle between sea monsters. Especially if you can find an image of something like a deep sea kraken and a whale fighting. You could also have a ship battle going on, something like two armada's fighting. Or if you are going more ancient, maybe some greek like galleys going to war. You could even throw in some greek firethrowers.

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Thanks for your ideas tonnichiwa - I really like them!

I have thought of placing ships along marked trade routes and monsters here and there, I have not thought of creating a story-scape such as a battle-scene. That is a great idea! :-)

There are a variety of medieval themed ships, one Viking ship, some that could be used for Middle-Eastern, no Roman/Greek or Oriental (Such as Junks that would fit well).

A second update to January's annual concentrating on ships and other ocean related symbols would be awesome!

So right now, I have two great new ideas to figure out how to implement:
1. Dark storm clouds with lightning
2. Naval battle

Keep the great ideas coming - LoL!

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Updated Idea List:
1. Compass (Looking at the original compass - I want to redo the eyes - add navigation lines)
2. Scale Bar (Looking at the original bar)
3. World Name (on a scroll of some type - Looking at January 2016 Annual)
4. Trade Routes (dotted lines with ships along the route)
5. Sea Monsters (Looking at current symbols plus January 2016 Annual)
6. Depth Shading (having problems on how to start - coast/islands)
7. Dark storm clouds with lightning (Need to make)
8. Naval battle (Who is fighting and why - explore various ship images)

LadieStorm · March 2016

How about a 'misty, mysterious area' perhaps covered with fog that might hide an uncharted island? Or even an area like the Bermuda Triangle where ships and things disappear? Or perhaps a ships 'graveyard'?

Sorry, just throwing things out, here.

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Thanks LadieStorm!

I have to see what symbols are available for creating a ships graveyard.
A fog is easy to do and I can combine it with a ships graveyard to give it a truly otherworld feel.

Great idea LadieStorm!

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Updated Idea List:
1. Compass (Looking at the original compass - I want to redo the eyes - add navigation lines)
2. Scale Bar (Looking at the original bar)
3. World Name (on a scroll of some type - Looking at January 2016 Annual)
4. Trade Routes (dotted lines with ships along the route)
5. Sea Monsters (Looking at current symbols plus January 2016 Annual)
6. Depth Shading (having problems on how to start - coast/islands)
7. Dark storm clouds with lightning (Need to make)
8. Naval battle (Who is fighting and why - explore various ship images)
9. Ships grave yard within an otherworld fog/mist (Fog is easy, I posted a guide on how to do that - I just need to see if there are any symbols of wrecked ships)

Tonnichiwa · March 2016

Charles, you should check in to making both fonts and brushes into cc3+ symbols. Then you can do a search for photoshop brushes and might come up with some of the images you are looking for.

The June installment of the 2009 Cartographer's Annual shows you how to make ornamentation using fonts.

The February installment of the 2008 Cartographer's Annual tells you how t make symbols and symbol catalogs.

And the September installment of the 2010 Cartographer's Annual tells you how to use photoshop brushes to make symbol catalogs.

Very much worth every cent if you ask me because just the September issue alone opens up SOOOOO much more that you can do with CC3+ that I am in total amazement.

This should give you an idea of what can be done. I just threw these together quickly.

CharlesWayneRobinson · March 2016

Thanks tonnichiwa,

I am definitely going to be picking up some more annuals, but I am waiting for them to be updated for CC3+. ;-)

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Mapping Strategies for Oceans and Coasts

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