how to draw fantasy art and rpg maps: step by step cartography for gamers and fans

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· 367 ratings · 32 reviews

Commencement your review of How to Depict Fantasy Fine art and RPG Maps: Step past Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans

I learned a lot from this! ^_^ At present I'm excited to work on my ain (official and detailed) fantasy maps very soon! :O I learned a lot from this! ^_^ Now I'k excited to work on my own (official and detailed) fantasy maps very before long! :O ...more

February 13, 2022 Sam rated information technology really liked it

This was a good step by step guide for creating a nice and detailed map, whether for a fantasy volume series or an rpg. It was besides a quick read because it is around 80% images.

I would have loved to have this volume back when I was in fine art school, for some of the pen, ink, and techniques. This is very much for beginners, though, and so it doesn't get into annihilation in-depth. I exercise like how it suggests experimenting to find what works all-time for you.

As for the maps themselves, while lovely, they are of the standard western European medieval fantasy type. The elves live in forests, barbarian raiders from the n (ever the north) are based on vikings, the ancient civilizations ar

I would have loved to have this volume back when I was in fine art school, for some of the pen, ink, and techniques. This is very much for beginners, though, so information technology doesn't go into annihilation in-depth. I do like how it suggests experimenting to discover what works all-time for you.

As for the maps themselves, while lovely, they are of the standard western European medieval fantasy blazon. The elves live in forests, barbarian raiders from the due north (always the due north) are based on vikings, the ancient civilizations are based on Greek and Roman designs, and dark-green-skinned orcs are out for your blood. I understand that is bog-standard fantasy material, simply information technology would have been nice if information technology gave visual alternatives to tired tropes.

Because it is based on western Europe, at that place aren't sections for how to brand interesting deserts, or steppes, or canyons, information technology basically sticks to mountains, hills, forests, marshes, farmland and seas. There is a nice (though basic) department on heraldry and making shields, banners, and icons for your various cities, holdfasts, and castles. And it covers some interesting border techniques from the 16th century.

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You don't fifty-fifty need to exist an artist to create amazing fantasy maps. This volume will take you lot through the procedure, step-by-step. I use information technology to create maps for the fantasy stories I write. You don't even need to be an artist to create amazing fantasy maps. This book will accept yous through the procedure, step-by-step. I utilise information technology to create maps for the fantasy stories I write. ...more

Not bad and detailed instructions about creating an amazing fantasy map! It gave me a lot of ideas and I'll endeavour to implement them on my own map. Not bad and detailed instructions about creating an amazing fantasy map! Information technology gave me a lot of ideas and I'll effort to implement them on my own map. ...more

Oct 12, 2022 Shaun Hately rated it actually liked it

An first-class resource, but perhaps assumes a little more natural talent than well-nigh people have.

three.five/5

Compared to previous art books I have read (and reviewed here) this book is far superior. The instructions are simple to follow and the steps are laid out clearly with helpful visuals accompanying them.

Jared Blando does a good job laying out the basics of geography as well as the aesthetics of cartography. A lot of what you read in this book can be easily gleaned elsewhere, just its a nice tool to pull together ideas and look at them all together. Another valuable instance of what Blando ha

3.5/five

Compared to previous art books I have read (and reviewed here) this volume is far superior. The instructions are simple to follow and the steps are laid out clearly with helpful visuals accompanying them.

Jared Blando does a skilful chore laying out the nuts of geography every bit well equally the aesthetics of cartography. A lot of what yous read in this book tin can be hands gleaned elsewhere, but its a nice tool to pull together ideas and look at them all together. Another valuable example of what Blando has washed here is create samples and demonstrations of what the finished product tin look like.

One criticism I will brand about the book is that the maps appear to be in a common style. Blando doesn't really flesh out alternatives, more like variations on a core fashion. Information technology's more than complicated than this, but basically the mode looks quite reminiscent of the maps in the Lord of the Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire with greater visual flourish.

I think the book may exist a useful guide, especially for those who desire a solid starting point for their maps and help in how to describe certain features. It would be ideal for perchance younger artists that demand a tool to become started. Yet, I think anyone who has watched tutorial videos and done a lot of practise volition not get very much new here except a convenient resources and source of inspiration.

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Aug 29, 2022 Seth rated it really liked information technology

This is a surprisingly readable book about creating maps. The book is pretty dry and procedural, merely like shooting fish in a barrel to follow. There is a lot of data, and really appears to offer advice that merely nigh anyone could execute. There is one problem, the author glosses over details such as shading visual elements. To people who aren't really experienced with drawing, it might seem a bit intimidating to start adding nuance similar shading into a drawing/analogy. Regardless, if you're into the fantasy This is a surprisingly readable book about creating maps. The volume is pretty dry out and procedural, but easy to follow. In that location is a lot of information, and actually appears to offering advice that just virtually anyone could execute. At that place is one problem, the author glosses over details such every bit shading visual elements. To people who aren't really experienced with cartoon, it might seem a bit intimidating to starting time adding nuance similar shading into a drawing/analogy. Regardless, if you're into the fantasy genre, and/or tabletop rpgs, you'll probably going to want this volume in your collection. ...more than

Mar 25, 2022 Nicholas rated it really liked information technology

Clear, easy to follow and when you add all of the trivial pieces together you lot get admittedly incredible results that you can refine and personalise over time to get what you want.

Admittedly invaluable!

Feb xiv, 2022 Nathan rated it actually liked it

Bang-up primer for simple map making that is easy to understand and implement. There are references to shading that presume a level of knowledge that is across me, but the volume still contains a lot of valuable tools even for an untalented artist like me!

Oct 03, 2022 Pris rated information technology it was astonishing

Expert detail

One book and the 2 painting techniques - each stride has details with visual instance. Cartoon a map encompasses not only a lot of "how tos" but also knowing geological aspects of your map, Jared Blanco has done a great job walking y'all through these details.

Good detail

One book and the two painting techniques - each step has details with visual example. Drawing a map encompasses not but a lot of "how tos" just likewise knowing geological aspects of your map, Jared Blanco has done a great job walking you through these details.

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Oct 04, 2022 Andrea rated it it was amazing

Excellent guide for making fantasy map. I am ugly at drawing but with this book I got wonderful works

One of the ameliorate fine art books I've read; it really lives up to the title. Later reading it, I recollect my game maps and so forth will indeed be higher quality than before. One of the amend fine art books I've read; it actually lives up to the title. After reading it, I think my game maps and and so forth volition indeed be higher quality than earlier. ...more than

Adept instructive guide

A nice step by step exploration of fantasy map pattern. I'thousand looking forrard to re-drawing a few of my maps with the help of some of the techniques hither.

A great didactics and introduction into map making. All yous need now is the art supplies, patience and either talent or practice. It's a nice niche hobby I picked up very recently. A corking instruction and introduction into map making. All yous need now is the fine art supplies, patience and either talent or practice. It's a nice niche hobby I picked up very recently. ...more

Dec 22, 2022 Dave rated information technology really liked information technology

Very comprehensive. I was surprised at how much work goes into making generic fantasy maps.

This review has been hidden considering information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. overnice

A nice footstep-by-step how-to for new mapmakers.

Lesser Line Up Forepart
A great introductory how-to for drawing overland maps. It'southward just the basics, merely that's all you need to get started. Sadly, it's just overland maps.

The Review
This book is a bones introductory how-to for drawing overland maps of a traditional fantasy flavour. The tutorials in the book are organized into chapters, ostensibly in the order you'd draw them on a map.

The book is a nicely presented softcover with every page in total color. In that location are many splendid illustrations throu

Bottom Line Up Front
A not bad introductory how-to for drawing overland maps. Information technology'southward just the basics, but that's all you lot need to get started. Sadly, it'due south just overland maps.

The Review
This book is a basic introductory how-to for drawing overland maps of a traditional fantasy season. The tutorials in the book are organized into chapters, ostensibly in the social club you'd draw them on a map.

The book is a nicely presented softcover with every page in full color. In that location are many splendid illustrations throughout. The layout, while dainty, is a flake expansive. The apply of space isn't very proficient and at that place's relatively little actual instruction on about pages (though there are lots of illustrations). There just wasn't as much actual writing or content as I expected.

I can't say I wholly approve of the championship; it's misleading (or, at all-time, likewise encompassing). This book covers how to depict overland maps and that's it. No dungeons. No cities. No castles. I was quite disappointed by that.

Anyway, here's a chapter-by-affiliate summary and review of the book:

Introduction
The introduction can go f**grand itself. It'south a photographic list of things you need to draw maps. Some people genuinely capeesh them, just these types of "hither's what you need to practice this" lists have ever come beyond to me as somewhat pretentious. I just draw on canvas made from the stretched pare of an albino wombat that was hit past a route train with 10 trailers of pinkish diamonds and so passed through the digestive tract of a wedge-tailed hawkeye. Oh, and use this $500 pencil with a special cadre made of footing unicorn shit or you might as well not carp drawing. Rubbish. Grab a freaking pencil and a sheet of paper and draw. (Fortunately, this is limited to only two pages, and is by no means as egregious as others I've seen.)

Chapter one: Building Your Globe
Could exist summed upwards with "depict a shape for the primary area you lot're mapping". This is probably the one chapter where at that place are too many steps; felt like it was padded to get some other couple pages.

Chapter 2: Mountains, Forests, Rivers and Water
(Yes, the lack of Oxford comma annoys the sh!t out of me.) To me, this chapter was merely nigh right. Shows ways of drawing the diverse features without overwhelming you lot with different styles. Perfect for beginning fantasy cartographers.

Chapter iii: Town and City Icons
Non a terribly detailed affiliate, but as the intent is only to describe icons or representations of cities/towns/castles on a map, it's perfectly fine.

Chapter 4: Typography
Hoooo, boy. Typographers everywhere are cringing. Well, f**k them. This isn't a comprehensive treatise on employ-cases for fonts in cartography; information technology's just to throw some ideas out there for putting text on the map -- font and style, placement, etc. There'south some good (if perhaps obvious) tips, but it just scratches the surface of the topic and doesn't really get into font blueprint or fifty-fifty provide a full sample alphabet.

Affiliate five: Landmarks
Roads, caves, ruins, towers... this chapter is actually a continuation of Affiliate iii. The tutorials are a bit less detailed here. They all consist of three steps: draw the affair, add details, terminal details. I shit you lot not. It's basically eight pages of this.

Affiliate 6: Iconography
Map symbols. There are some ideas for culling visuals for those items covered in Chapters 3 and 5.

Chapter seven: Heraldry and Shields
Nothing in-depth, but some potential inspiration for political designations on a map. I tin can see putting this information to good utilize on a battleground blazon of map.

Chapter eight: Political Boundaries
Nutshell: Utilize different types of dashed lines and different colours. Why did this have more than one page?

Chapter 9: Backgrounds
Weird title for this chapter. Information technology covers calculation decorative borders, corners, compasses, legends, and other flourishes to get in prettier. This and Affiliate 2 are my favourites.

Chapter 10: Painting Techniques
Provides very brief tips for inking, shading, painting, and using digital media (PhotoShop, GIMP, etc). I doubtable few people volition find much of value in this affiliate.

Chapter xi: Putting Information technology All Together
An entire affiliate of unnecessary fluff. Steps through all (well, well-nigh) of the previous tutorials to create a map. Information technology's of practically nil value. A better thought would take been to include a sampling of completed maps showcasing various of the previously-discussed techniques.

So, what's my opinion of this book? I like it. I accept a lot of issues with it that are more personal gustation than anything, but my map drawing has significantly improved thanks to this book. I fifty-fifty intend to effort my hand at drawing a total-on properly decorated map. Inked, painted, the whole bit. Might take me a while to work up to that.

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May xvi, 2022 Luke rated information technology liked information technology

This exquisitely beautiful book was defective in substance to me when it came to its utility as an educational tool. Like many "how-to" books, information technology showcases both the unique talents and style of a gifted artist, but comes upwardly short when it comes to breadth of technique.

I was looking for a more than advanced fantasy cartography tutorial that communicated a wider variety of techniques and cartographic options, and situated this kind of art a little more closely with the history of the art. The author's map

This exquisitely beautiful volume was lacking in substance to me when it came to its utility as an educational tool. Like many "how-to" books, information technology showcases both the unique talents and style of a gifted creative person, but comes up short when it comes to breadth of technique.

I was looking for a more advanced fantasy cartography tutorial that communicated a wider diversity of techniques and cartographic options, and situated this kind of art a fiddling more closely with the history of the art. The author'south maps are quite cute and the book is full of lovely piece of work, simply it works best as an extremely basic guide that substantially teaches the nuts of the author's own preferred methods in very wide detail.

Anyone who's already working as a professional cartographer might be meliorate off scouring the DeviantArt and YouTube artist communities for gratuitous cartography pointers from a variety of artists. The ideal market for this book is young fans of fantasy, YA gamers, and people who are merely starting out. I would have LOVED to become this book when I was xi or 12 years old -- so I guess I'll crash-land my review from 2 stars up to 3, depending on who the target audience is. It's classier and more bonny than nigh of the countless how-to-draw books for kids, and more basic & accessible (and cheaper!) than many art textbooks. For improve or worse, information technology's simply well-nigh the simply volume in the sub-sub-genre of RPG mapmaking, and and then if you are starting from scratch with zero technique at any age, it'south pretty indispensable.

Information technology simply wasn't really for me, and didn't give me much that I wasn't already able to observe online from places like the cartogerphersguild.com community; If you absolutely want to have some solid beginner tutorials in an bonny bound volume, you're very likelier to become more use out of this volume than I was, and and then I can recommend it fifty-fifty if it didn't work for me personally.

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Excellent and complete guide about to make maps!

Very illustrative, what I ome the virtually is that contains a lot of steps and details almost each stage process of create a fantasy map.

Feb 05, 2022 Darren rated it it was ok

Less "how to draw fantasy and rpg maps" and more "how to depict ii fantasy rpg maps exactly as I drew them." In other words, less of a tutorial than a walkthrough. Less "how to draw fantasy and rpg maps" and more than "how to draw 2 fantasy rpg maps exactly equally I drew them." In other words, less of a tutorial than a walkthrough. ...more

Looks fantastic and gives some solid "how to draw " communication. It is nigh worthless in terms of real cartography, though, and so you'll learn how to draw pretty maps but yous won't really acquire annihilation well-nigh how/where/why in terms of locating topographical features (there are reasons that swamps, prairies, so on course where they do.

But to exist fair, the title is "How to depict..." and it does evangelize on that.

Looks fantastic and gives some solid "how to draw " communication. Information technology is nearly worthless in terms of existent cartography, though, then you'll learn how to draw pretty maps just you lot won't really acquire anything nearly how/where/why in terms of locating topographical features (in that location are reasons that swamps, prairies, and then on form where they practice.

But to be fair, the championship is "How to draw..." and it does deliver on that.

...more

Feb 07, 2022 Jessica rated it it was astonishing

K says only 4 stars, just he's happily making a new map now, then it's a 5 in my volume. ;) K says merely 4 stars, but he'southward happily making a new map now, and so it's a 5 in my book. ;) ...more

Apr 09, 2022 Jeff rated it really liked it

Fun piddling diversion at the intersection of fantasy and blueprint.

Very cool step past stride, whether you're a pirate or only play one on tv, or just a mad gamer, this book is cool Very cool step by step, whether you're a pirate or just play ane on tv, or just a mad gamer, this book is absurd ...more

Nifty guide to map making for fantasy writers

Apr 07, 2022 Jenny Baker rated it really liked information technology

I love reading fantasy fiction and every time I read one that has a detailed map at the first, I'm in awe of the details and creativity. I always wondered how these maps are created. I had read somewhere that Tolkien started developing the concept for Lord of the Rings by creating his own map. I'thousand an aspiring fantasy fiction writer, so a book nigh How to Describe Fantasy Art and RPG Maps appeals to me.

This is a great introduction to drawing fantasy art maps. I love the step-past-step instruction

I love reading fantasy fiction and every time I read one that has a detailed map at the beginning, I'm in awe of the details and inventiveness. I always wondered how these maps are created. I had read somewhere that Tolkien started developing the concept for Lord of the Rings by creating his own map. I'm an aspiring fantasy fiction writer, then a book about How to Depict Fantasy Art and RPG Maps appeals to me.

This is a smashing introduction to drawing fantasy art maps. I honey the step-by-step instructions and the general organization of the book. Information technology starts with the bones structure of your land, followed by mountains, forests, and rivers, followed by cities and landmarks. I think 1 of the hardest parts of fantasy map-making is coming up with the weird names, just he does advise resources on this. The other challenge is the typography if yous're non the greatest at calligraphy, only he covers this as well.

I'thou glad this is available on Kindle Unlimited, because I recall the volume is overpriced considering its length of 128 pages. The eBook is $xi.99 and the print book is $xv.63.

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