THE LEARNING ARCHIVES
Whether you're creating maps for a novel, rpg, or just for fun, this collection of tutorials and map tips will help you create more professional and believable maps for your story!
How to Draw Classic Fantasy Mountains
Want to learn how to draw a more classic style of mountains on your fantasy maps while still feeling unique? This method of drawing mountains is a great way to give a more classical pen and ink feel to your maps!
How to Draw a Simple Compass
There is probably nothing more iconic in cartography than the compass rose. Not only do they serve to orient the viewer of your map, but they are also an opportunity to get creative and reflect the culture of the world. There are nearly limitless ways to draw a compass, but in this tutorial I want to set a foundation for you to build upon later. You will learn everything you need to draw a simple compass on your fantasy maps, and hopefully it will inspire and give you confidence to take it a step further.
How to Draw Sand Dunes
Drawing a plateau on your fantasy map is a simple way to make the landscape of your world stand out from the flat terrain you see on most maps. In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw impressive cliffs that rise out of the landscape. Which can become key storytelling features in the world you're creating for your next book or role-playing campaign.
How Does an Oasis Form in a Desert?
How does something as lush as an oasis form in a place like a desert? At first glance it may not make sense, but knowing a few simple principles can go a long way in helping you know where to place an oasis on your fantasy maps. It’s little pieces of information on how geology works in the real world that can add a whole new layer of depth and realism to your worldbuilding.
2 Easy Ways to Draw Grassland on Your Maps
Grasslands are a great way to bring interest to the “blank” areas of your fantasy map. But, you don’t want it to feel too chaotic by drawing every single blade of grass. Here are 2 easy ways you can draw grasslands yourself!
How to Make Place Names Easier to Read On Your Map
After hours of working on your fantasy map, you’re nearly done! The only thing left to do is add the place names…easy enough right? Until you add a couple and realize how difficult they are to read! But the question is, do you need to start over or is there something you can do about it?
How to Draw Plateaus & Cliffs
Drawing a plateau on your fantasy map is a simple way to make the landscape of your world stand out from the flat terrain you see on most maps. In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw impressive cliffs that rise out of the landscape. Which can become key storytelling features in the world you're creating for your next book or role-playing campaign.