Haunted Bridge, Adept (Patreon)

Hello again! This week's map is the Haunted Bridge (35x50), a pleasant wooden bridge in a pretty awful forest. Also, as an added bonus, I made you an extra variant, seeing as the $1 patrons got extra content as well. So, you're getting both the Bloody variant, with nasty red water and extra spooky effects, and a full Unhaunted variant! The $1 patrons are getting a version that's 1/2 Unhaunted, so I didn't think it would feel quite fair if you got only an additional 1/2 variant. 

1. Sometimes it's nice to whip up a nice and basic map, you know? Just a bridge crossing a stream, nothing flashy. I did make a point to include a few more rock walls than I normally would, to break up spaces which I felt were a little too flat, but I tried not to overdo it. 

Also, I also played around with the elevation a little more than usual, especially near the bridge, which was more of an aesthetic choice than anything else. I was mostly curious how it would look and play out, and I think it's not anything major. 

2. Gotta say, it's been nice making forests regularly again- with all the props I've made ready to go. Only the grass, rock walls, and unusual props take much time, which is nice. And, strangely enough, rock walls haven't been quite as annoying to draw as they used to be, I guess lately I just don't mind that sort of busywork much. I've also had a bit of a cold for the last few days, so that kind of brainless drawing is almost a break from the usual.

3. Coloring this one was a bit of a journey. I began by using the the Haunted Fort Ruins as a starting point, but I've found that without a major prop/setpiece taking up the center of the frame the rest of the colors read a little overly-vibrant (at least for a map that's supposed to be spooky). Therefore I've been experimenting with making the palette a little more grim with my last few maps by taking away some vibrancy, easing off of the blue fog, and going harder on the vignette, all with middling success.

I think with the next map I'll try to be somewhat more extreme with the grass's shading while also tinting it a little more cyan. I'm hoping that it'll feel a little more mystical and not fey, but it'll take a bit of fine-tuning to get it just right. 

By the way, my next map will be coming out in September as I'm taking a little time off. I should be returning with a collaboration with James of James' RPG Art though, so you have that to look forward to! We've settled on a really interesting map which I'm very excited for, so be sure to stop on by.