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 Stone Pillars
If you enjoy finding inspiration for your stories from real-world locations, then look no further than the stone pillars of Wulingyuan, China. These impressive monoliths are one of the most iconic locations in the world; with their unusual shape, covered with trees that somehow manage to grow hundreds of feet in the air like a natural hanging garden. In fact, the movie Avatar pulled inspiration from this location when creating the world of Pandora! But the real question is, how do you draw something like that on your fantasy map? In this tutorial, I’ll break down the process so you can add these iconic features to the world you’re crafting.
How to Draw Marshes & Wetlands
One of the most iconic locations in The Lord of the Rings has to be The Dead Marshes. Marshes have such an iconic look with their pools and streams weaving between tall grasses over a vast landscape. They can be a place of life and biodiversity or a place of threat and danger like they were in Middle Earth. In this tutorial, I will break down the process I use so you can add some marshy wetlands to your fantasy maps.
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!