Fantasy map coastline

I’ve realised I have a particular workflow for drawing coastlines in my maps. Here’s a quick walkthrough. Each step is done on a new layer in photoshop, and I use a 5px hard round brush in each case with size set to pressure. However, all of these steps can be done in Gimp – or … Continue reading "How to Draw Coastlines on a Fantasy Map"

One of the biggest challenges with fantasy maps in a top down perspective is they tend to look a bit flat. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks you can use to build up the layers of the landscape to give a sense of depth. In this Map Tip we’ll be looking at how to draw cliffs on a coastline in this perspective and make them really stand out in your map. #mapeffects #fantasy #rpg #drawing #maps

Rivers do not flow from coastline to coastline because everything would be at sea level. In essence, it would be a canal rather than a river. This is a common mistake on many fantasy maps but it's easy to fix once you are aware of it. Click here to view my full tutorial on how to draw rivers on your maps! #mapeffects #map #fantasy #rpg #worldbuilding #fantasymap #geography

In this tutorial I want to show you how to give your oceans & seas a little more character. Not only will you get a nice painterly texture, but this method is also a great way to hint at the topography just below the water’s surface.

Sometimes it's the little tips that make the biggest difference. Whether you're creating maps for a novel or a rpg, this collection of simple tips will help you create more professional and believable maps for your story!

There are lots of ways to indicate water on a map with lines – and many more with tone or colour. Here are four I regularly use. 1. Broken Waves After you have your coastline, use short, gently curving lines along the shore. The lines should follow the shapes of the coast, but smooth out … Continue reading "4 Coast Styles for Mapmaking"

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Rivers have to be the most common thing for new map makers to get wrong; and even seasoned cartographers may have some of these mistakes sneak up on them if they’re not careful. But, having an awareness of some of the most common issues that come up when it comes to river placement will go a long wa

Lately, after releasing my last few map sets, I’ve had people ask me how I achieve the coastal hatching in my sample maps. It’s been a process. Since the release of Widman in February, …

How do you draw a floating island on your fantasy map? In this Map Tip I will break down for you my method for drawing the underside of a floating island for your fantasy rpg or book. #mapeffects #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #pathfinder #rpg #fantasy #maps

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.

Inkarnate is an all-in-one easy to use map making platform with a free version. Show us your maps, and share your tips and techniques!.