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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Making of a Map

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

So, throughout the map making process, Craig often sends me updates– little snippets to keep me abreast of what is happening!  I thought it’d be fun to show you a few of the things that he sent along the way this time.

He said that this was the largest "thumbnail" he'd ever done.

Then he sent…

He said this was "Dove at her simplest."

This one amazed me!

This is the transfer process.

Then, after that, he does this!

He said, "Graphite transfer. The middle is very light since I had to print out the sketch on multiple sheets of paper and piece it together the middle had the greatest number of layers to go through."

I love getting emails with stuff like this!!

"Things are going pretty well. The paper feels ok although the nib digs in a bit. Ink soaks in really nicely."

But this one was just amazing to me!  Little details like ink and such really blow my mind sometimes!

"Thought you might like this, I've made it all the way to southern England and have found a good hiding spot for Robin Hood. Funny thing that as I started this map our house seems to have become a roost for Turtle Doves. When I go outside it isn't long till I find one staring at me. Kinda funny! Also it would seem I am at the end of the Wynnewood jar of black ink. It was a new jar on the first map and hasn't really been used for to many other pieces other than the maps. I may have to send it to you someday as a trophy! "

I sure hope he does.  I’d LOVE to own that jar of ink.  I have to say, I’m really going to miss working with Craig.  He is a wealth of information on almost any subject.  I was stunned how often I mentioned something and he’d run with the idea!  He’s the one who told me about Druids and hemlock, about how castles were built, about the different kind of dwarves and elves from different parts of England!  He knew instinctively what each map needed to have the biggest impact.  The research he put into these things is amazing!  He made Google maps with little dots to show the journeys and knew to break up names into those cool little boxes.  It fascinates me!

I have to publicly thank Craig for EVERYTHING he’s done for me.  He calls these maps a “commission” just like any of his other jobs, but honestly, we all know that they are a gift. I don’t even come close to compensating him for time much less his incredible talent.  The steps these things go through that I know about and can remember are:

  1. Rough sketch
  2. New paper-  under sketch
  3. Ink over sketch
  4. Trace over ink with new ink
  5. Scan (this time he had to do it in 4 parts!)
  6. Go over every inch of it in photoshop to make it completely smudge/lint free.
  7. Pray I don’t say, “Oh, wait!  I have a better idea”

Ok, the last one was a joke.  I’m sure there were more steps than that.  I’m sure of it.  But I do know of those.  Think of the HOURS and hours of work, materials, and such.  His maps were definitely a gift, and I am so grateful for them.

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Filed Under: Interviews, New Release Tagged With: Annals of Wynnewood

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Comments

  1. Andi says

    September 2, 2011 at 2:52 am

    I have to second the praises here sung for Craig. As a proud owner of his artwork, it’s it everything you have written and more. What a dream to work with!

    Craig, that has to be the most awesome compass rose this mapmaker has ever seen! definitely tattoo worthy 😉

    Reply
  2. Craig says

    September 1, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    <<<>>>>
    Thanks guys for the kind words and thank you Chautona for allowing me to work on these books with you. Each one was an interesting challenge and and a pleasure to do. Don’t ever worry about the time vs. compensation on these maps. All the time, research and sketching is exactly what was needed for each piece. Besides, when I look at them I always see things I could have done better or spent more time on.
    Regardless, these maps allowed me to hike the hills and forests of Wynnewood, explore the caverns of the Mattae and travel the length and depth of Medieval England. Who else gets to do that in their job? …….well besides you Chautona. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cari says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    love it!

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    Those are AMAZING!

    Reply
  5. Rachelle says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    Neat pictures of the map making process. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Challice says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    AWESOMNESS!

    Reply
  7. Barbara says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:54 pm

    Craig does wonderful work! I’d love for him to make me a map of Lakeville!

    Reply
  8. Rebekah says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    Neat! 🙂

    To the KING be all the glory!
    Rebekah

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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