Monday, July 27, 2015

Minbari of Sheridan's World: a map commission

This post is Part 1 of a series to augment the Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost available for free download.

This and other map commissions are gathered in my Portfolio Directory for you to explore.

This post is also Part 2 of a series about Stephen Everett. Start with Part 1 here.



I first connected with Steve in Part 1 of this guest series, when we collaborated on his map of Babylon and Corinth for Sheridan's World. Later, Steve connected with me for a second map of the same planet. This time, we'd be mapping Minbari, a longer and skinnier continent on the other side of Sheridan's World.

For this map, Steve had some specific coordinates for the limits of the Minbari continent, but fewer towns with exact coordinates. We discussed his basic needs for the map, and I sent Steve an estimate based on the streamlined style of his first map.


Check out this Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost for more maps!


Shortly after he signed the estimate, however, Steve mentioned including more topography like forests and rivers.

Since the estimate hadn't accounted for the additions, I noted the new features he wanted.

As a repeat customer, Steve understood the difference between the map elements I'd factored into his estimate and the map elements he brought up afterward.

Once I knew Steve was fine with the extra cost of his topography additions, I used a rough sketch he'd sent me to make an initial render of his coastline.


Here's what he had to say about the finished map:


Minbari of Sheridan's World, a map commission by D.N.Frost for Stephen Everett www.DNFrost.com/portfolio Part 1 of a series.
I love it. The map has a wonderful strangeness.

We used colour and shadings to convey mood and geography.

I love the colours.

The shading and tones and colors all work together, and I love the way the shading came through and bleeding of colours worked.

The rain forest is spot on! You are incredible. I love the map.

D.N. used her skills to create the eastern portion as a battle between Earth life encroaching and fighting the local alien life.

I think the whole effect is awesome. I love the way the map really does have an otherworldly feel.

Thank you so much for all your efforts.

Hell yes, excellent job on this. Very spacey and cooooool!

– Stephen Everett, science-fiction writer


That's it for this post! Up Next: How the continent took shape... Soon.


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You deserve a professional map you can be proud to share.

Download Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost here, or start your adventure below.






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