My deviantArt Story

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I started making art in earnest about a year and a half ago. I had finished a novel manuscript, and I wanted to try my hand at creating some maps.  Here are my first attempts,  made with Photoshop Elements:
Part 1 Map by Will-Erwin Cover Draft by Will-Erwin

These were actually the second or third drafts. I put an embarrassing amount of time into detailing them. I hadn't read any guides to speak of, I just figured I'd give a go. Some friendly deviants suggested I look around at some of the other maps and try experimenting with different styles.

As I looked around DeviantArt, I realized that I needed to up my game. I learned to play with filters and read through a tutorial or two. I started making maps like this:
Revised Part 2 Map by Will-Erwin   and this:    Color Cover by Will-Erwin


I was starting to realize what I could do with some of this graphics software. I started getting active with the Cartographers Guild, where a nice guy named Arsheesh, who offered very helpful suggestions and guides. By following his tutorials, I created the first map that I felt confident about:

Kiridin Lands Complete by Will-Erwin
This map kindled a creative flame within me. I found myself learning how to draw vector icons in Inkspace to go into my maps, like these:
Monochrome Icon Collection by Will-Erwin
I also branched out and tried some other programs, like Lego Digital Designer: Black Templar Sword Brethren by Will-Erwin


But really, the maps remain my central artistic focus. Every time I make one, I learn something new, and I try something new. Sometimes I get tips and pointers that help me with future maps, sometimes I get little pats on the back, like having my map added to a favorite collection or getting put on someone's watch list. The neatest pats on the back, though, come from when someone I've never met tells me about a personal reaction they have to it, like a few Michiganders who can see their hometowns on this post-apocalyptic map:
 Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Rifts RPG) by Will-Erwin

Connections like that are what makes this site such a great place for artists and art-fans. They're what keep bringing me back here. Even if I'm not actively making or posting new art, I see such a wealth of creativity and technique among the Deviants that I can't help but look at some beautiful art every day, and tell the artist who created it why I'm so glad they chose to share it with the world.

What I'm trying to say is, thank you, DeviantArt creators, for creating a virtual space where people the world over can come together to create and appreciate art. My world is a better place for it. 14 years is a long time to stick around in the age of the Internet, and I hope you stick around for many more years to come.
© 2014 - 2024 Will-Erwin
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