Oh, I forgot to upload newest version. My bad.

Greets

I think the primary approach I have is to not limit myself to a specific fill in a given style. So, I insert other styles to give me more variety. The use of blend, blur and edge fade is essential though, as I said, this can slow down your processing/redraw. So keep that in mind.

I also use a lot of glows. I could not live without these. I use every type, depending on what I feel works best.

Just be patient with your artwork. Be patient with this program and process. If you find yourself frustrated, take a break: go water your tomato garden, cook a quiche, or a spaghetti dinner for your family---then come back when your mind is clear. 😁

Oh, also, an old technique my art instructors had me do: if you are unsure of layout, overall effect etc, take a small hand mirror and look at your art in that. This can reveal many flaws your conscious brain isn't aware of, but your subconscious is. So, try different perspectives.

And finally, take a look at your map. Notice machine-like patterning? That really dulls a piece of art badly. Ralf has videos on how to deal with this issue. Check em out!

My main problem, still, is using toooooo many nodes. I have some really convoluted coastlines. After I draw them, I use SIMPLIFY and REMOVE NODES, etc; but I still find my freehand drawing style is too much for CC3 LOL. It's annoying. So, well, keep that in mind, as well.

okie dokie

Cal

Greets...

Of course! When I finish it, I'll post it here for anyone who wants.

Cal

Greets!

I do not know if the following information is wanted; but I will reveal how I did this map.

First: I opened the map in Darklands overland. I inserted Spectrum Overland and Watabou Cities. These provided me with the Fills I knew I would need.

Then, draw your Land.

Then, once I had the Land to my liking, I went to the drawing tools on the right side of the screen, chose the various tools there to draw blobs of various colors. I put these on individual sheets, each color to a specific sheet. Now, add effects: blur, blend and edge fade till they 'look right to you'. WARNING: this will slow down everything. Turn off effects to help you draw out what you need.

Again: turn off effects to draw what you need. 😁

I draw what I know what I need or want. Sometimes, it takes many times to draw 'what looks right'. I can't describe this process any clearer than to say this: think outside the box.

Think outside the box.

Cal

PS: I hasten to add: You can do this with any style you have in CC3+. You don't have to have the ones I have listed here.

Greets, fellow artists and mapmakers

Well, here is by-far the hardest map I've worked on, to-date. A new GM ahem, DM, has come to our gaming group and he chose to run Pathfinder in Golarion, specifically on Avistan continent. This map has been fighting me every step of the way! I never new blur and blend would hassle the program so much. Anyway, this is the first pass at text:

Critique/Advice welcome!

Cal