Wednesday 21 January 2009

Another map symbol - a classic German timber-framed farmhouse


The drawing was becoming insanely detailed so I decided to simplify, having reminded myself that these are map symbols, not architects' drawings! :-) I do love timber-framed buildings, so I may finish the madly detailed version as another piece of clip art. At this rate I should finish a few dozen symbols by the year 2012, so that's another reason to simplify the process. Only 4 or 5 more farmhouses to go, and I'm also working on 2 bridges. These are being done while having meals so I can justify the time, although not perhaps the occasional indigestion.

Next I think I'll take a break from maps for a while and finish at least one of the cavalryman templates on which I've been working, on and off, for months - probably a Luckner Hussar first but we'll see.

9 comments:

  1. I really like the German style house. Since most of our battles occur in this part of Europe it is very appropiate. Thanks for all you do...Bill

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your symbols are getting too good David. My own simple medieval line symbols can't compete.
    I take my hat off to you sir...

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Bill and Steve. :-)

    All the best,

    David.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Excelent work, indeed! Rather detailed for a map symbol, but could work as an illustration inset on a map or on it's own. Are you basing this on an actual building or map symbol or is it from your imagination? Either way it looks very good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi FB,

    I think you're right - far too detailed (and this is the stripped down version!). Somehow my brain seems wired the wrong way for doing map symbols - I'm a detail man, not a "simplify it" man. I'll have to rethink and perhaps just go back to templates and flags.

    Yes, it's based on an actual building in an old book. I always like the authentic look!

    Thanks for the comments (and for saying nice things too!). Perhaps it's the doldrums of the very late hour here and the fact that things in general seem to have been not so good lately (the dreaded "real life") but I feel I've hit a bit of a brick wall with this particular project. Ah well - can't all go swimmingly, can it?

    David.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Believe me, I know about "real life" - one of the lesser things that's hit me lately is my fancy new computer dying for the second time! I had to send it off in late Nov. for repairs. Now it's dead again. And it's only about half a year old!

    Anyway, there are probably ways to make good use of your detailed buildings... have you thought about creating card building templates, for example?

    I don't have the patience for detail myself. Tend to rush through to go on to the next idea, so I end up with something that's less than perfect (to put it mildly! lol). But as it's for my own enjoyment, no worries, I'm happy with it.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. David
    Many thanks for your scan offer . I am a little concerned about putting my email address up on the screen. I wonder if you could email Jeff and ask him to forward it to me ? Then all business can be conducted decently and in order..
    many thanks
    Alan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi FB,

    Thanks for the comments. Yes, I had thought of doing card buildings at one time and may still - I've done about 95% of a Russian village building, for instance.

    Yes, detail can be a veritable plague - but as I've said in my new post on the blog, perhaps I have a cunning strategy to overcome that. :-)

    Sorry to hear about the computer - hope it's sorted soon. I have a love/hate relationship with the things and there's definitely a Luddite lurking under the surface. :-)

    David.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Alan,

    Righty ho - I'll email Jeff (of Bearstein, you must mean, of course) ASAP and try to sort something out.

    David.

    ReplyDelete

Saturday 6th June 2020 I've decided to allow comments from Anonymous Users but I'll still be moderating posts, as I'm sure the spam will probably flood in now! We'll see...