Mapping Middle earth

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:23 am

Due to health issues and my eyes deteriorating, I have long give up painting miniatures which left a void in what I love to do.
I have messed around with graphics for quite awhile, albeit I am no professional, and I have wanted to enhance the maps created by Tolkien for quite some time.
I have messed around in the past, but never really gone 'all out' to create something, however over the last couple of days, I started work on a project to help me kill the boredom.

I decided to take a Tolkien map of Middle-earth and try to 'enhance' it by adding terrain and colour.

The map I used was as follows...
Click Here

I started working on this map, first by creating the Sea, and then the land and coastal regions. After this was completed, I added the inland river systems and then started adding the detail. Anyway, here is what I have done so far...

The image is too large to post here, so click on the link and then click on the image once the new window opens to see it in full size...
Click Here

Erunion · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:51 am

Looks great so far. Glad to see you around these parts. I've been a little scarce myself, lately.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:36 am

Nice project and a great way of keeping you in the hobby.
I've an idea for the map which could be too much, but you never know. How about the main areas having a link that would open up another page which will show the city / point of interest for that area. Like I say, it may be too much but may also be a nice project to keep that devil boredom at bay.

Amarthadan · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:14 am

That looks great. Looking forward to the finished project!

imrail · **Joined:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:24 pm **Posts:** 666

I love maps!
This map might be a good reference as to how Middle Earth looks like in its whole:
http://7a6972656f5f74637568.killerhor.n ... rd_Age.gif

Harfoot · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 2:45 pm

Very good, always wished they would do an Ordinance Survey Map of Middle Earth, just imagine it, it would be amazing!

Bilbo · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 2:49 pm

Hi DB,

Enormously sad to hear that you have had to give the painting up! However, the map looks great, you have brought fresh life to a very dull brown map!

Harfoot · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:29 pm

Durinsbane, if you like maps check out the Weta versions

http://www.wetanz.com/hobbit-auj/

I have started collecting them after coming across them in my local Forbidden Planet shop, now but from NZ as P&P not to bad

Just need the lastest Bilbo Family Tree

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:04 pm

Looking good Brian, and it keeps you here in Middle-earth with us which is great.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:47 pm

Always good to have a warm balrog blazing nearby in a cold winter

I have been messing about with ProFantasy software called Campaign Cartographer and Fractal Terrains in connection with a Cunning Plan of mine - not connected to Middle-earth, but it is the sort of stuff that has been used by other fantasy writers and game developers. A good map presents a wealth of possibilities.

samoht · **Posted:** Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:51 am

It's beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing this finished. I'll definitely reference your map when I need to.

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:11 pm

Thanx for the positive feedback guys. I have done a little more over the past few nights. I have been trying to keep it as realistic as possible by reading up on each area that I do in a bid to get the map looking correct.

Anyway, here is an update, as before, click on the image once it has loaded to get the full size...

Click Here

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:47 am

I must admit that this is taking shape wonderfully. Great work

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:36 pm

That is some beautiful work, would make a great desktop background or wall hanging.

hannanibal · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 2:55 pm **Posts:** 221

Pretty fantastic stuff mate but that's a real shame about your eyesight.

Sacrilege83 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:25 am

Can't wait to see the finish product. Good work Durinsbane

JamesR · **Posted:** Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:50 am

Looks great! I cannot wait to see the finished product

Mapping Middle earth

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