My project for course: Creative Gameplay Maps: Illustrate a Fantasy World

My final project! I'm so thrilled with how it came out and hope to someday use this map for my games. I think it has a good balance of mystery and clarity as you can clearly see a lot of interesting landmarks but the little details hint at a lot more going on than what you can see on the page.

Above are some of my favourite details from the map. The "don't" graphic on the water tower and the barred mine entrance hint at barely contained danger and the giant eyeball is such a fun visual. Where did it come from? Does it move? And that little target practice body at the side of the building (both sporting arrows from some terrible archers) adds a bit of humour.

I try to include small creatures in my maps to breath life into the image. I rarely illustrate people in maps like these as it feels too permanent. Folks expect to find a character where they appear on the map. But animals like the cats, birds, and bats, feel more like decoration than they do a marker. Maybe you'll find a cat in the cemetery, but maybe you won't. And that feels right for a map.

And that's it! From sketch to colour study to final artwork, it's been such a lovely experience sharing my process with you and I look forward to seeing the maps for the worlds you create!