Make an Easy Watercolor Map in ArcGIS Online

Here's how to make a quick and simple watercolor-looking map in ArcGIS Online using a few layers from Living Atlas and some "effects" razzle dazzle. Mostly "bloom."
Here is the interactive map, if you want to have a look: www.arcgis.com...
Here is the recipe for adding and styling layers within the basemap...
PAPER TEXTURE
-Add Watercolor Paper Texture from Living Atlas
-Remove the original basemap layers
-Add Parchment Texture from Living Atlas
-Blend mode of Color Burn
WATER & LAND
-Add Bathymetry Light layer from Living Atlas
-Drag under Watercolor Paper
-Bloom 0.6, 0.2, 0
-Hue rotate 270
-Brightness & Contrast 62, 300
-Rename to "Land"
-Add Bathymetry Light again from Living Atlas
-Drag under Watercolor Paper and over Land
-Blur 1.5
-Brightness & Contrast 80, 175
-Rename to "Water"
LABELS
-Add World Terrain Reference (local language) from Living Atlas
-Drag to reference layers
-Blend mode of Multiply
-Transparency of 50%
-Bloom 0.2, 0, 0
-Grayscale 100
-Sepia 33
-Add World Terrain Reference (local language) from Living Atlas
-Drag to reference layers, above other layer
-Blend mode of Multiply
-Transparency of 75%
-Bloom 1.8, 0, 0
Check out some other social channels where I share how-to's and updates on random map adventures:
adventuresinmap...
www.esri.com/a...
/ john_m_nelson
/ johnmnelson
/ johnmnelson

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Check out this map here: www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=ef3390ff9c1048f0be72b197acd044d3
Read more about it here: www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/mapping/make-a-painted-basemap-in-arcgis-online/

[@jamisoncooper-leavitt5950]

I've always preferred ArcGIS Pro over ArcGIS Online, but the versatility you've shown in this video is definitely making me rethink and take another look at it. Thanks for the great how-to.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

They each have strengths. Pro is a GIS so there are analytical geo tools not quite yet available in Online, and there are some graphical advantages. But Online has pushed lately with amazing graphical features like blend modes and effects.

[@AiEdgar]

Great results. The water colour adds that je ne sais quoi to the map 👌

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks!

[@SimonKedward]

Props on the wabi sabi reference. The map is imperfect perfection.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Simon!

[@SabrinaJoplin]

So much fun! I have so much playing around to do! 😍

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Sweet! Thanks Sabrina.

[@CartoRedux]

Grandma sounds like a pretty special lady 😊

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

indeed! thanks T!

[@Ahmedali_-qd9eg]

I love watercolor.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

me too

[@chengwang20166]

Amazing techniques.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

Loved it, tried it, approved it 😀

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey alright!

[@ashleykuhn]

I love this! Looks great. How did you create those texture maps in living atlas?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

i took a picture of some water color paper, then in Pro added it as a picture fill to a global rectangle. then i tiled it.

[@tonyjoffre2909]

Create a discord please

[@ethanmagnuson2988]

That’s a good idea!

[@AiEdgar]

Bump

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

i don't really know what discord is

[@ethanmagnuson2988]

@@JohnNelsonMaps It's an app that essentially lets you make a large group chat. Content creators commonly make a Discord for their communities to give them a place to have discussions/share ideas. It'd be pretty neat to be able to meet other cartographers, but it's probably not a good idea until you find someone who can be a moderator.

[@frosty_fink]

@@JohnNelsonMaps you lie, John. 😂