https://youtu.be/zoHdTQh7FVY

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga creator episode. My name is Adam and today I am talking with the freelance artist and cartographer, Francesca Baerald. You can check out her fantastic work at her website francescabaerald.com. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, ring the bell, and you can further help this channel, and pick up Dragonlance Gaming materials, using my affiliate link in the description below.

Due to the fact that Francesca incredibly busy, I was only able to interview her via email. However because this is a YouTube based video production, I decided to allow Siri to answer on her behalf. Francesca Baerald is Italian, but Apple doesn't offer an Italian accented voice, so I opted for American. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy our interview.

Discussion

Did you always know you wanted to be a professional artist?

No, I didn't. I knew from when I was little that I was a creative person. I loved drawing and playing music. But I started to think about actually becoming a professional artist years later, while I was attending a three years illustration class about ten years ago.

What were your early inspirations as an artist?

Games, videogames and the fantasy genre in general have always been part of my life. I would have loved to have the chance to professionally contribute with my art to the game world and to express my vision of it.I feel very lucky and happy that I can now do it!

When did you get your first ‘break’ into the professional art or cartography scenes? (What was your first professional job?)

My first professional commissions came from private clients and Italian game companies. But I think that the first big commission that really gave my works some visibility was the one for Fantasy Flight Games. After that came SquareEnix and Games Workshop.

Can you walk us through your process as a cartographer? (What steps do you go through to complete a map?)

Once I receive the client’s art brief, I start doing some research on the setting. I gather as much info as possible, then try to visualize the composition of the map through a sketch. I try my best to dive into the world I'm creating and to make it really authentic, imagining how a character from that world would have created the map. When I feel that my sketch is balanced enough, I move on to a slightly more detailed drawing. After making the necessary adjustments based on the client's feedback, I prepare a detailed drawing and when this is approved I start inking the map. I usually prefer to ink before colouring the map so that I can have a clear fix of the drawing lines on the board. Once the map is inked, I move on with colours. I don't do many colour tests. I try to make the colours flow on the map as naturally as possible, welcoming and adapting if some accidents occur. When the map is complete, I digitally scan it at high resolution and slightly balance colours if necessary. And that's it!

You’ve received many awards, do any have more meaning or significance to you as an artist?

Well I haven't received so many awards actually. But I think that the most significant recognition I received was one of my illustrations being selected to be included inside Heavy Metal Magazine, a magazine that I’ve always loved.