Holy shit, trying to draw/paint landscapes is like being a complete newbie at art again. I have absolutely no fucking idea what I am doing. It’s an exciting feeling though because I haven’t been told how to solve any of the issues I am facing. This gives me the opportunity to figure everything out by myself. Huzzah!
Sometimes I get all sleepy, grumpy and mopey and just want to destroy everything in my house and shout, “WHAT’S THE FUCKING POINT?!”
Then I realize I haven’t had any Red Bull that day and go, “Oh.”
A Black/Red edition. I shifted the whole area down a bit so it’s more centered than the original… I think all future maps will be shifted back up again however as there’s a lot of negative space up there. Various locations have been added/corrected particularly in the east and southern regions. A combination of the corrections made here and the placement of the original will be the standard for all future Middle-earth maps.
Oh, and if you feel so inclined, you can buy this one. Or order a future one in Black or Black/Red. ;)
Legolas backhand gif because reasons.
Anonymous asked: Oh wow the map looks awesome :) Would you mind scanning the whole thing and posting it? I don't care if there's a giant watermark or anything else to prevent people from stealing it. I was planning on doing one for my friend's b'day present and a template/reference would be much appreciated~ If you can't, nice job anyway.
It’s not possible for me to scan anything, unfortunately. If you have Photoshop or some graphics editing program, you can throw a reference map into it, adjust it to the size you plan to work with, and put a ruler grid on it. This will give you a general idea of where everything needs to be. Sorry I can’t really be of much more help. Good luck and have fun! :)
Anonymous asked: I want to like commission you to make me maps but I'm broke rn :( how much would you want for a map of middle earth?
Probably something around $60-$75 for Middle-earth specifically whereas something like Thror’s Map might be more around $30-$45. I’m working on a new one of Middle-earth I’m planning on putting up on Etsy sometime later today. I know some people are going to find those prices a bit steep, but it’s largely based on time… they really do take quite a while to make.
12 hours worth of work total. Almost an exact replica of the one seen in the films, as close as I could really get. I included close-ups of some of the spots so you can see my tiny text. I don’t think I missed a single location (from the map I was referencing anyway). I may try the whole thing again with a different style referencing the atlas and books. This was a good first go though! Looks great on the wall.
The gif represents my wrist by the time I was finished with it.
Very impressive. (But you know there is a map at the back of the book? Has all the same places on it. Even the same writing,)
Hmm, I’ve seen people mention this a few times. For the first map, I very specifically wanted the design from the films, not the books. I find Daniel Reeve’s work for Middle-earth in calligraphy and cartography to be exquisite and without equal. I thought it’d be a good start just to get a feel for drawing fantasy maps. Of course, I do keep the book maps and atlas close at hand for reference still to make sure I’m getting down everything correctly (spelling, location, and so-forth). I’m in the middle of a more expanded version that is still mostly influenced by Reeve’s style but details a bit more on areas to the north and south which you will not even find in the book maps or any poster. I’ve looked through tons of maps of Middle-earth and close-ups of the locations. I’m a passionate fan of this realm and strive to make sure that my own maps are of quality and as correct as can be. ;)
indygo-janna asked: Dude, I just came across your map. That is the single most amazing thing I have ever seen. You are brilliant.
Very kind! Credit where it’s due though, the map I was mainly referencing was made by Daniel Reeve who laid out and designed all of the maps seen in the films. There’s true brilliance for you. ;)
I am just completely and totally floored. More than half a thousand reblogs and likes… I was not anticipating that kind of response to the map. While that number may not be a lot to some more popular artists, it is a huge deal to me. I am grateful that so many have seen it considering all of the time and (frankly) obsessive amount of detail that went into it. I cannot tell you how motivating that is. Thank you all so much!
I will be starting work immediately on a new version. I want to take it to the next level. There are some areas that were left out (particularly around Rhûn) that I would like to include. Maybe throw a little color in it too. :)
Anonymous asked: hey you know you can buy posters of the map :) might help.
Do you mean for future references? I think The Atlas of Middle-earth has got me covered there. Most of the map posters don’t go into as much detail or coverage as I would like… they skip out on a lot of lesser known areas/rivers/cities/etc…
