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Fantasy map tutorials - how to draw, make and create maps for worldbuilding

Here are all of the articles we've published on the topic of fantasy maps.

The Lord of the Map. The writer skilled in cartography is an explorer. They can spend hours fleshing out the design of their world. This is a crucial skill because it visually unites all of the other skills.

Fantasy map generator

Vancano's map generator is a Photoshop tool that will help you create a map of your imaginary world.

Fantasy map icons, brushes and other tools

If you’re looking for a little something to spice up your maps then I've collected a number of great map resources from around the web. Most are free but I’ve also included a couple of premium options when they’ve been great.

How to draw mountains

By Nate 'Vancano' Smith Leave a Comment

How to draw mountains

In this guide I’m going to teach you how to draw mountains for a fantasy map. This is part of the Author’s Guide to Drawing Maps, and so far we’ve covered: How to draw land Adding tectonic plates Landscaping your world map How to add prevailing winds and oceanic currents This guide is also available […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map Tagged With: drawing, mountains

Learn to draw a stunning map using Photoshop

By Nate 'Vancano' Smith Leave a Comment

Learn to draw a stunning map using Photoshop

Photoshop is a great way to make a map. Sure there is other software available which might be easier to get started with, but there is nothing like using Photoshop. To help you get started the articles below will teach you step by step how to draw a map in the same style as the one […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map Tagged With: maps

How reddit helped improve a fantasy map

By Nate 'Vancano' Smith Leave a Comment

How reddit helped improve a fantasy map

This is the story all about how reddit helped improve my fantasy map. I’ve long been told that reddit is a hostile place and the community can be fickle but that’s not true for r/worldbuilding. When I shared a fantasy map and asked for feedback and ideas the community was amazing. I want to say […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map

Great map resources and tutorials

By Nate 'Vancano' Smith 6 Comments

Great map resources and tutorials

If you’re looking for a little something to spice up your maps then here are a number of great map resources that I’ve collected from around the web. Most are free but I’ve also included a couple of premium options when they’ve been great. You should also visit the Fantasy Map Market for more map […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map, Tutorials Tagged With: resources

Grid Worldbuilding: An experiment in designing your world like a video game.

By Nate 'Vancano' Smith 2 Comments

Grid Worldbuilding: An experiment in designing your world like a video game.

You can learn a lot from video games. Especially the way some RPG games build their open sandbox worlds – which has inspired me to run a worldbuilding experiment. Even if you have no interest in video games what so ever, stick with me as this could prove to be a really interesting way to organise […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map, Tutorials Tagged With: Exiled Kingdoms, experiment

Real world maps vs Fantasy Maps: Which makes sense?

By guest 49 Comments

Real world maps vs Fantasy Maps: Which makes sense?

Real world maps vs Fantasy Maps: Which makes sense? Over the past few years I’ve been introduced to a number of ways that gamers are using apps to turn real world maps into gaming platforms. The first example I ever encountered was a game called “Ghost Escape”. Essentially the game took a smart phone’s GPS […]

Filed Under: Fantasy map

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About Nate Smith

Nate is the founder of the Worldbuilding School. It's his goal to make worldbuilding easier for the many people who build their own imaginary world - whether it's for fun or profit. As part of this goal he uses his skills in Cartography to draw maps. Read More…

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This is where I hint at the projects, articles and reviews I’m working on:

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