Hey @Calibre After entering the rule of three, another resource that must be studied and understood is the leading lines. It adds a lot to the composition and works closely with the rule of thirds.

Mastering the leading lines in your composition adds a lot of "dramatic" appeal to the scene. Whether in video, photography or even map composition. In the example above it refers to the yellow lines.

This article is interesting as a first step.

https://iceland-photo-tours.com/articles/photography-techniques/how-to-use-leading-lines-for-better-compositions-in-landscape-photography

Cheers

This article is very small, but good to first steps to study the rule of thirds:

https://www.slrlounge.com/glossary/rule-of-thirds-definition/

From top to bottom: In this drawing you can see, on the upper right cross, the path that takes the observer towards the unknown.

In the opposite corner, lower left, I don't leave the space "empty" and place something to capture the observer's attention - in this case the ruin - and give the composition balance.

Two diagonal lines occupy the viewer with his view along the drawing and these lines are connected by a vertical line, which takes the view to the upper right corner - towards the cave.

The top left corner is mostly "empty" so it's a good place to position the title, cartouches etc.

Obviously all compositional rules are also made to be broken. But usually this only gets good when the person masters the rule to be broken.

Cheers

@Calibre For many years I was (sometimes still) a landscape photographer, perhaps this study of nature's composition helped in the idealization of map designs. Basic composition rules always help, especially the rule of thirds.

single fill but i put more stronger glow (inner) with some more blue effect. clouds come with shadows and after process color on lightroom

I particularly prefer the Schley style for small areas (kingdom, zone map, towns, places etc) and not large maps (continent or mundi).

In the community atlas for example I used schley for both large and small maps to follow a pattern. however for my private maps, when dealing with entire zones of realms I opt for other styles (like Roberts or Herwin Wielink, 13th age or Annual Ancient Realms for example) for maps of large zones, and I use Schley to map small areas.

The reason for choice the Schley style comes from the huge amount of different icons that allow for more variety of subjects.

That said, I particularly love John Roberts' style but unfortunately it's very poor in icons, which could have been remedied with the update he's had recently. It wouldn't be bad as a suggestion to profantasy also working with monthly content of new icons by John Roberts.