Tilvarel Valley

I got inspired to try a new style after seeing a gorgeous map illustration by Chris Riddell for Neil Gaiman's "The Sleeper and the Spindle".
His is one of those maps that you can get completely lost in. You let your eyes wander across the page, find little hidden details, and your mind starts making up stories. More than just the technical aspect of the style, this dreamy quality is what I was aiming for.

Because of that, I didn't put in any labels (except for the title). I did add a few lines of an R.E.M. song that I really love. Like Riddell's drawing, "Maps and Legends" makes me want to wander around in a pretty fantasy land as well

This map started out as just an exercise. As such I planned hardly any of it. I just started doodling on a large piece of paper. It show in some places, particularly the in mountains and the river. Even the style changed a bit, as I worked my way around the page. In spite of that, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Original dimensions: 9832 x 6911 pixels
Materials: A3 drawing paper, pencil and microns. Coloured in Photoshop.
Stock image: the aged paper background by Struckdumb.
Fuel: COFFEE!