by erik-gauger
2 subcomments
- Hi all — thanks for the comments and discussion. A few people correctly pointed out that calling these maps "hand-painted" was misleading, and that’s correct. The previous version of the map, which I replaced a few days ago, was entirely hand-painted. These new maps are mixed-media...probably about 80% Adobe Fresco (a tablet drawing app), but both also incorporate physical watercolor and Copic marker layers that I scanned into the final artwork. Most of my maps are still primarily hand-painted, with just place names in Photoshop. My Cuba map is probably a better example of that approach. The goal of this update wasn't about art...I wanted maps that better tell the full story of the Hawaiian Islands. The history and geography of all those atolls and maps are fascinating, and I do geek out/recommend a Google Earth/Wikipedia rabbit hole of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for anyone interested in remote islands.
- What a fantastic site. I got in for the Hawai'i maps and stayed and browsed the entire site, reading thru various blog posts. Loved the Iceland journey to see the Puffins. <3
Beautifully made, and it shows.
Would love to see your map-making workflow.
And I like the birdlist too <3
- I appreciate that you made that, when I lived in Hawaii for half a year I was surprised to learn that seafaring people and other travellers were going to places I couldn’t see on the base Google map. You had to zoom in and know where to.
And in many cases, bring your passport.
Interesting Waterworld out there
by nickandbro
3 subcomments
- One of those islands, Lānaʻi, is 98% owned by Larry Ellison
by MisterTea
2 subcomments
- Disappointed we aren't shown the actual, physical hand drawn maps.
And the font used seems very familiar so I assume the text was added during the digital manipulation phase?
by ungreased0675
0 subcomment
- I’d be interested in buying prints
by kmfoysal06
0 subcomment
- [dead]
- Laughable project. Sorry but I expected a WAY lower scale. People were able to map entire cities block by block by hand in the 16th century...
This is not even a map but an outline of islands and without any scale...
"A map without scale and legend is not a valid map" - i know that from 4th grade...
Most disappointing post of 2026 so far.
At least there is no AI slop. 2/5
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