Drawing A Map in Tolkien/Middle-earth Style

Watch me draw a map in the style of the original Middle Earth map by Christopher Tolkien.
Support WASD20 on Patreon: / wasd20
Thanks to my sponsor, Nerdarchy! The book: pledges.nerdarchy.com/
WASD20 Recommended Map Drawin' Tools
🌄Pigma Micron Pens 🌄 amzn.to/2GHqx0R
🌄Drawing Pencils & Erasers 🌄amzn.to/2t5CdT3
🌄How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps 🌄amzn.to/2GIQVJy
🌄11x14 Sketch Pad🌄 amzn.to/2sxaKwo
🌄Wacom Intuos PRO Drawing Tablet 🌄amzn.to/2sDnUYw
🌄Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet 🌄amzn.to/2kX3DYu
Check out the WASD20 Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/wasd20
Check out my partners at Absolute Tabletop: absolutetabletop.com/?trackin...
Thanks for watching!
Come back for new RPG videos at least once a week on WASD20. D&D, fantasy maps, and more.
Now on DISCORD! / discord
Supported locally by GrandCon Gaming Convention: www.grand-con.com/
Music: Vopna, by Alexander Nakarada
________________________________________
⏩FOLLOW ME ⏪
Website - www.wasd20.net
Facebook - / wasd20net
Twitter - / wasd20nate
Store - www.wasd20.spreadshirt.com
Maps & Commission requests - www.sellswordmaps.com
Business inquiries - email [e-mail]
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/qiwFFv
SUPPORT: www.wasd20.net/support-me/

[@WASD20]

This video is a re-post of an earlier version of the same. The first version had some audio issues I needed to fix. Better now! Happy mapping. :)

[@ender4344]

It’s ok! Great video btw!

[@reyarturonegro5284]

the map figure is a smiling dog 7:42

[@johnleach8553]

I too thought that JRR had done the map. Another fantastic video The Lord of the Rings. Map was the first fantasy map I ever saw. I constantly referenced it whole re reading the book. It is in the back of my mind as I draw. Thanks for the tribute and analysis. I look forward to drawing my own. John aka the Angry Dwarf

[@crcurran]

Great work. For the forest, to make the trees appear less like rows, add each circle randomly when expanding and not in a row. Keep in mind to not to make the circle identical to the ones next to it.

[@FatBoyzAreUs]

Re-upload from earlier today? Love your tutorials!

[@WASD20]

Yep. Had to fix an audio issue and re-upload.

[@ender4344]

Hullo! You got me into mapmaking. Also introduced me to dnd! Got the starter set! I’m sooo excited! Love ur vids! (Was here before 10 views!)

[@johnleach8553]

Me too on both accounts!

[@old_geeky_Michael]

Great stuff as always Nate, was really cool seeing you put this together. I think the "scribbly" style for the mountain shading works very well - I'd never noticed that in the original until you pointed it out. I might try a little map myself :-)

[@old_geeky_Michael]

Also, something that has just occurred to me - I think the "X marks the spot" thing you reference is actually a picture of two crossed sabres, to show a battle site? The UK's national mapping agency, the Ordnance Survey, used to use that symbol, so it would have been familiar to Tolkien. Could be wrong.

[@owendewaal9805]

Pretty sure the 'x marks the spot' is meant to be 2 crossed swords, the ones of the map mark 2 important historical battles. The battle of the celebrant field and the battle of dagorlad.

[@WASD20]

Ah! Makes sense.

[@carrgamer4981]

Since I first saw the middle earth map I have always been obsessed with it and this map you made captures all that essence which I love. I think your map was great! 👍

[@BlueFlash215]

Hi there, fellow cartographer. There is much more material to the map and more maps itself. I've did a lot of research on this and the grid based map where he tracks the miles and days of travel is even more impressive but not as pretty.

[@staticbuilds7613]

Nice map. Never noticed the variation in the mountains

[@GlitchTheF0x]

I know this video is 3 years old, but something I feel like you missed with the mountain shading is that Christopher Tolkien's mountains seem to be less about scribbles and more a 3D drawing of mountains with three tones, the darkest tone (the black), the midtone (the hatching), and the lightest tone (the white.) While the scribbly black still looks good I think to get closer to that style, the side of the mountain facing away from the invisible light source to the left should be shaded with diagonal hatching (perhaps with a line outlining the hatching as is visible on one of the mountains near the "Anorien" label) and then have the darkest parts to the mountain be shaded in with solid black.

[@Lu_R]

This is brilliant! I hope to draw such a map when I get over my exams! It's probably not good that I would rather draw a map then study tho...

[@anthonypeltier4039]

Sounds like youre studying the wrong subject sir

[@Lu_R]

@@anthonypeltier4039 Actually I don't cuz I study architecture and town planning and history of architecture are my favourite subjects :D

[@andysimmons2648]

This is a fantastic video, Nate. Possibly my favourite of your mapping videos. I may be biased by my love of Middle Earth and the maps, though. Thank you for pointing out the style and showing us your own version; it’s awesome.

[@patrickbenjamin9056]

Nicely done. To my eye, Christopher's mountains seem to be rows of a handful of mountains drawn behind another row in the foreground until the range is complete.

[@J0K3Rtje]

If you're going to finish it please show us!!! I love your maps! And as always, great vid.

[@jagelsdorf1385]

That’s some great inspiration! Thank you!

[@peterconroy4225]

Hello Nate, love your work

[@PatrickSamphire]

Very nice, as always, Nate.

[@bananathunderbreadcucumber2175]

Really really good map! Love it!

[@Elseweyr]

Great job! You've inspired a new project! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@the_graceberry]

your mountains turned out amazing!!

[@WASD20]

Thank you!

[@maxanderson9293]

I tried drawing Tolkien Map but using Pencils its was good not as spotless as yours. You are a true artist man.

[@whoknowswhatevillurksinthe1682]

Thank you for uploading this video. I can make my own Fantasy Map.

[@shireparsa1471]

I love ur channel

[@amyknott907]

This is amazing thank you, but where did you find such a high resolution version of the original map? I can only seem to find low quality ones

[@christopherwarwick5956]

Have you come across a book called ‘The Journeys of Frodo’? It traces the fellowships’ course across maps related to the dates worked out from the timelines of LotR

[@WASD20]

I have not, but it sounds very interesting!

[@christopherwarwick5956]

WASD20 It’s by Barbara Strachey. Published in Unwin Paperbacks, 1981. According to Barbara’s calculations, the Fellowship have left Lorien and are travelling down the Anduon (17th February)

[@kalebcrafts4338]

Nice

[@chickenpermission5381]

YES

[@jamies7375]

New subscriber earned

[@LostForestFires]

I needed this a year ago, I drew the dnd world we played in for my DM and party. All done in secret and supprised the DM at the end of our campaign. (I hate forests mostly because they are mind-numbing to draw.)

[@JeffDrennen]

I'm probably going to be the 100th person that says this but this but this has been long overdue thank you soooooooo much for covering this topic. Keep up the good work.

[@johnleach8553]

One last comment - the map could have been any page in the Lord of the Rings great work. I haved the video twice now and will be rewatching it in the future as a guide to drawing my own map. John aka the Angry Dwarf

[@vytizen]

You did the video I see :D

[@bradmcdaniel294]

Do use the same pens when drawing on a canvas?

[@duncandomey8199]

Great idea. I like the map. Maybe you can practice your handwriting with pencil. If you were doing this whole project from scratch, I would think pre-sketching this out in rough draft will help you place (leave room for) the text. My guess is Christopher probably did several drafts to get it just so...

[@mjtraeger_official]

im working on a bunch of fantasy maps and species art for a sci fi novel im writing. got any tips for me? 🌟 🌙

[@Jw0808]

Fun fact. That map was actually drawn by Christopher Tolkien from my understanding with the help of J.R.R himself, and later annoted by Tolkien with notes.

[@stephenhawkins1409]

what about fantasy biomes like the mushroom forest or the slime geysers

[@gamergirlnerd164]

I know this would be more Science Fiction, but a request. Can you do a run through of Cyberpunk 2020 the Core Rulebook, please? ❤

[@hassantalpur6792]

I think the one single guy who disliked this video either did it by accident or has dyslexia

[@pzalterias5154]

fun fact : In the early maps of Middle-earth made by JRR Tolkien, the mountains are drawn in a topographic style, without this fantasy flavor.

[@williamotoole1540]

The river Insel flows through the bitter plains lmao

[@degrees-xg7og]

How much time did it take you to draw this map?

[@WASD20]

A few hours? Maybe?

[@degrees-xg7og]

@@WASD20 Thank you

[@FuckfreysLuvfamily]

How about to draw map in Westaros style?

[@highchamp1]

Olden Days Maps & Place Names (Early Fantasy & Sci fi) Khet'il, Scravvels or Nibble-Pibblies Imagination It's funny that with just a little basic (or obvious) knowledge what a better job can be done. Basic Geology Mountains, Islands and Plate Tectonics... Names & Language English historical place names for example (Romans, Danes, Normans etc.)

[@perttireups288]

Why did you make the another video private

[@WASD20]

Same video. Had a major audio issue so I had to re-upload this new file.

[@perttireups288]

yee

[@ChristopherVanDerWesthuizen]

It’s spelt “Middle-earth”. Sorry, had to be that guy 😂.

[@WASD20]

Hey. I appreciate it. Everyone else is too nice to say it. Lol

[@ryancarter6876]

Don't be sorry, you are a bro, bro. :D

[@HM-hk8he]

Spelt?

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

It's "spelled" ;)

[@KCRileyGyer]

Lol it’s spelt for us non-Americans.

[@susfriend2787]

I think I like this map more than the Middle Earth one

[@HM-hk8he]

Christopher Tolkien? Wasn’t it JRR Tolkien...

[@HM-hk8he]

Oh never mind... googled it. Should have done my research...

[@jakehopkins6989]

@@HM-hk8he You have no idea how much this made me laugh.

[@jasonissel217]

I suck at freehand, I like my computer programs....yeah I know, shame on me.

[@thepotter890]

First

[@johnleach8553]

Ps. Your map looks like a head lol. Once you added details it was not as obvious.