2David

Back in the day, I thought I knew a thing or two about using Illustrator. I started off with version 3.1, and reckon I knew about 80% of what Illy could do. Now, make that 40% or less. I learn on a 'needs-must' basis, but now am thinking I need to up my game.

This frailty came to light this week, when I was asked to produce some maps illustrating walks in Rome. The key word here may be 'Illustrating', as I'm not an Illustrator, I'm a Cartographer.

The maps feature a bird's eye view of a featured walk. A sort of 3-D effect. And this was my downfall. So many years of Topographic mapping has locked me into the 2-dimensional, and I can't visualise that 3rd dimension.

A shame really, as the finished articles look stunning when done well. I had a brief attempt at capturing these Roman streets, but soon realised that my ham-fisted attempts just don't do justice to the Eternal City. The task defeats me.

So now I'm thinking - what dimensions are open to me?

For now, I think it best that I be 2David, and consider my options.

At least that's better than being 1 dimensional.

I told you I could not draw...

But this was never an exercise in verisimilitude - more of a very personal recollection of a specific area, at a non-specific time.

The idea was to hand-draw a map of the streets around where I grew up, from memory without recourse to on-line resources or any tools other than a 99p set of crayons and any other pens/pencils I possessed.

Not all of the features shown were present at the same time. (The map covers a 15 year period)

What strikes me, looking back, is how this area (1km2 at most) managed to sustain 10 small corner shops and 5 Petrol Stations! I have not been back there for some years (it's a pretty grim town, to be honest), but I very much doubt that many of those establishments have survived.

I dare say much has changed in the area, but I don't plan to go back, check my map or update it. I have fond childhood memories of the area, and prefer to keep it that way. If there are any obvious errors, I'm sure my Mum will let me know!

birdingwithpassion

Please support my good friend (and lapsed Cartographer) Martin Smith in his fund raising endeavors.

His mission is to log sightings of 100 birds within the boundaries of the City of Southampton, before Easter. All proceeds go towards staging a performance of the passion.

Martin is logging his sightings, and it makes fascinating reading.

Should he be stuck on 98 on Maunday Thursday, it is on my mind to bag a Pheasant and a Red Kite, drive down to Hampshire and release them in his garden!

Now only if I can persuade Martin to log all of his sightings on a map - I'd like to see that.

Hand Drawn Maps

Welcome to my new Blog. I know the layout is rubbish but I'm working on it...

This map recently caught my eye. It started me thinking of drawing a map on paper of around where I was brought up in Long Eaton - entirely from memory, without recourse to modern maps or any other reference.

Don't hold your breath as it may take a while - I can't draw!

What! Call yourself a Cartographer? Well, there's drawing and drawing, see?

Now where did I put my pencils and crayons? No, seriously, where are they?