How do I actually make a good-looking terrain?

[hahascary (scarygames)]

Hey all! I honestly suck at making terrain so I want to know if there’s a way to make it look… you know, good?

What I want to achieve

I want to create an island that has a lake right about in the middle of it.

Details

Here’s a base for what the island looks like:

And here’s a sketch for how I want to go about the actual map:

I know what I’ll do with sand, grass, building, etc, but I’m torn with how to make the water. Should I make the lake a semi-transparent part colored blue or actual water? Or both?

[FishDepths]

Look up Eyra’s_Developments on YouTube she has good videos elaborating on terrain.

[chrisby_bacon (theweakend)]

use reference points online for what you want to build. since you want to make a good-looking island, search up “island” on google and maybe you’ll find something you’ll like.

also, the models you use play a part in making it look “good”
for example, you don’t want to use low poly trees and rocks in something that’s going to be realistic