How to Draw Mountains, Forests, Swamps and Cities for a Fantasy World Map!

Check out Flik Silverpen's Guide to Making Maps for more tips and tricks: www.jpcoovert.com/
Need a bunch of fun paper miniatures for your D&D game? Check out my Starter Minis set here: www.dmsguild.com/product/2737...
Subscribe for weekly videos!
Follow me for daily updates on my Instagram and Twitter - @jpcoovert
Check out my online shop here: www.jpcoovert.com/
Or my ever growing T-shirt shop here: tee.pub/lic/jpcoovert
And of course, PANCAKE ATTACK! pancake-attack.com
Website - jpcoovert.com
My journal comic, Simple Routines - simpleroutines.com
Buy my comics at One Percent Press - onepercentpress.com
Outro music - 2009 by Boy Without Batteries - boywithoutbatteries.bandcamp.com

[@robin.roundcap]

I love this guy, he's really enthusiastic, yet doesn't shout and has a really nice soothing voice, paired with great videos

[@rkitsune3549]

I concur!

[@Melvito2]

I legit thought I was going to get enthusiastic shouting and was so pleasantly surprised. He also seems chill and an overall cool dude.

[@treefrog4301]

U should see morgz

[@WhoCares-zk3il]

Why does he remind me of Bob Ross tho

[@RealCreativeCarson]

@@treefrog4301 I hate morgz

[@UrsaFrank]

J.R.R.Tolkien didn't draw the middle earth map's (or rather, the ones he did draw were rubbish apparently). All the famous/published middle earth maps were actually drawn by his son Christopher Tolkien, after listening to his fathers stories growing up.

[@JPCoovert]

Ohhh! Interesting! My high school english teacher was a student of his and she always said he drew the maps, but she could have meant the rubbish ones!

[@tomvanbeek925]

The hobbit map was drawn by jrr tolkien. The lord of the rings map was by his son.

[@shakescan]

Having studied JRR Tolkien as Artist and Illustrator, I disagree. JRR Tolkien had OUTSTANDING maps.

[@rikk319]

@@shakescan I had a book of Tolkien's artwork...definitely had his own style, rather Art Nouveau...he had a light, simplistic touch and his stuff looks marvelous.

[@aycoded7840]

Ahw, that's pretty cool.

[@pesto12601]

The mark of an "artist".... every one of the icons looks identical to the next/last... THIS is so very hard for those of us with limited artistic ability and what truly makes the maps look so damn good!

[@JPCoovert]

It's just a matter of slowing down a little! It also helps to plan out in pencil first.

[@stevenseufert2520]

A tip for drawing rivers: rivers can converge (come together) but they won't diverge (split apart). When making rivers, make sure not to diverge your rivers. Most people looking at the map will realize that something about the rivers seems a bit off even if they don't know why it seems off. Also, because water is governed by gravity, they usually start somewhere at high elevation (mountains, hills) and move toward low areas (marshes, lakes, ocean).

[@danielr.]

Although what you say is completely true he didn't draw diverging rivers. At 3:00 it's showing a river delta and at 3:23 a river ending at the coastline.

[@stevenseufert2520]

@@danielr. Aye, I wasn't critiquing any part of the video, I was just adding a tip in the comments that didn't get covered in the video. 👍

[@ReiseLukas]

Don't they diverge in deltas?

[@stevenseufert2520]

​@@ReiseLukas They can, but those are at flood plains, and once a river becomes a river delta it's sort of no longer a river (it is and it isn't). Whole rivers still won't split into separate rivers because water flows down to the lowest point with gravity and gravity doesn't go off in different directions. Rivers can change course over time though. So if a section of the river gets gouged out (from perhaps a flood exerting more pressure on a river bank than usual), the river might expand in that direction, especially if it also gouges out the river bed over there. The river might then head off in that direction a bit, which is how rivers change course, but it won't diverge into two separate rivers because the point where it starts to split just gets "eaten up" by the rest pf the river.

[@InhabitantOfOddworld]

Always worth doing a bit of geography homework before making a map. It can help add in interesting features, like oxbow lakes and volcanic calderas

[@zacharywood3182]

Icon Map 2:49 Icon guide 6:26 Tolkien-style Map 10:07 Tolkien-style Guide 17:28

[@hectorfr]

ooh such a relieve, you are the incarnation of be enthusiastic without a yelling at all

[@davidwhite7399]

Best line: "If you know how to draw the alphabet..." LOL. love it.

[@DavidWilsonJr]

That magical moment where the end of map outline just hit perfectly with the origin point... nice

[@mitchgchrist]

Hi, I am a grade 4 teacher is Alberta, Canada. I am using a lot of RPG elements this year to spice up my Language Arts and Social Studies. I am currently gearing up to start a cartography unit dispersed throughout Art and SS. The aim is to start out in fantasy so we can add a level of depth to the RPG adventure stories we are currently working through. The end game though, is to teach them mapping skills and have them create their own maps of the Regions of Alberta. I just stumbled onto this video and wanted to thank you. It is such a great guide and I already feel more confident in teaching this to my students. I can’t wait to spend time working my way through the rest of your material!

[@MK-ih6wp]

Such a cool way to teach kids!

[@pocarisweat_jp]

Where were you in my 4th grade LA and SS classes?? I'm jealous of your students haha

[@umbranoctis4348]

Thumbs up for you as a teacher! I basically had to learn all my "cartography skills" from videogame maps lol

[@ryhanon7]

That sounds awesome. If you tried to do that here in America they'd probably try to throw you in jail :(

[@zarahalora7567]

hows it going? :D

[@MrGiselbart]

Holy cow I wish I had come across this video sooner. One day I'm hoping to write my own novel, but I've always struggled with the world-building part, and I feel like having a map is also very nice for your audience to give them an idea of how your world looks. I've sadly never been too good at drawing, but the icon style at the start is something that even I can do!

[@kishirisu1268]

If you looking for "fantasy city maps", search "bird eye map, baloon map 1800s", they are actually hand drawn maps made by artists in USA and Europe, and look like perfect reference for games. His "icon-style" map is close to style which actually used in past for military maps at least in our ex soviet union. Those maps are restricted for common people but you can find them "2.5-5km-10km" maps. All those icons and many others are presented there.

[@PrincessFidelma]

I don't know how this video found me, but I'm thrilled it did!

[@yourseatatthetable]

As a teen I became enamored in how the maps were drawn for Lord of the Rings and later, the Middle-earth RPG. They were detailed yet easy to read and understand. I've been using those patterns ever since. Awesome stuff, sir.

[@nathanclinton7200]

You have made me so happy drawing these maps! I use to draw maps just like the when I was a young teen. Man, the nostalgia is overpowering. I just looked up my old DM, the man who introduced me to D&D 30 years ago, and he's still in town. Looks like I'm going to have to start up a new campaign with an old friend!

[@criseastman6503]

That is amazing! Congratulations.

[@Tinte648]

4 years late but the first one saved me! I've been trying for years trying to make a map for a project but could never get it to look good!

[@fullofsmell]

This has proved invaluable in my artistic journey. I thank you 3 years later!

[@giulyanoviniciussanssilva2947]

It's like being a discoverer of unexplored lands.

[@tylerwilliams2923]

Thanks this will really help for my D&D campaign

[@Daniel.RF.Davidson]

This is one of the NICEST videos I've ever seen.

[@dernomade2675]

I stumbled into this video and in the moment i saw your face it was like: Oh that's the Artwork-guy from Revive. You're a great artist, greetings from Germany.

[@Nizonyth]

Thanks dud, I build a map because of you, and that's make me have more value for myself

[@MikeWhiskyTango]

For a desert I draw a simple cow skull and ribs giving the idea of bones bleached in the sun, or if its sahara style desert I draw simple wavy dunes.

[@daybertimagni4841]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@schaakjan1]

It's really relaxing to watch someone drawing fantasy maps, thank you.

[@mat13channel]

This is how you do a wonderful tutorial that covers and shows so many things. Just wonderful.

[@newaccount7.8bviews3second8]

Loving your enthusiasm

[@ticonofruger573]

I just want to say, that you have wonderful content. I may not watch all you videos, but as an artist I would like to say that I am glad there us someone out there who dedicates time to showing people who are not artists, how to make his like this. You really do deserve more views.

[@haktes]

This is amazing, thank you!

[@kasrapourazad2250]

I am writing a story, and your video helped me a lot to draw the world

[@NunoBarreno]

amazing video, very inspiring ! Tks

[@MK-ih6wp]

Papermate Flair Pens are quite good for the low price & easy to find. Also love Sakura Pigma Micron pens in all sizes. Favorite gel pen is Uniball Signo in White.

[@MK-ih6wp]

I don't game so I'm not sure what I will use this for in my bullet journal but I love the way your maps turn out! Looks good even if you don't know how to draw, like myself.

[@will1myers]

One thing with the mountains, you can do a volcano by doing a snow topped mountain without the tip, and then do a couple wiggly lines coming up for smoke.

[@Reelphresh]

The tolkien is the one that i use as i got it from the Shannara series.

[@syfrah]

this is a lovely video to watch even when you are not even considering drawing a fantasy map. Thanks algorithm.

[@AutumDragonflame]

I have ALWAYS struggled with my maps! Thank you! You weren't kidding when you said the mountains could be easy! They're so much better now!

[@snarkback]

the intro wasn't even done and i subscribed. ready for the rest of this video.

[@TRANCERwin]

I used to draw a lot.. .i love tolkien maps.. .i dont know what im doing here but i loved your video xD keep the cool content !

[@MemphiStig]

I learned a lot about map making from the BECMI Gazetteers. They used a similar icon style for everything and it was a revelation to me as a novice. Maps don't have to be works of fine art, just clear and useful, and if they inspire curiosity, wonder, and awe, so much the better.

[@TheIain531]

Awesome T-shirt!

[@katsuki401]

super easy!super simple! so pretty😍 気に入りました thank you！

[@fadimesrakaya5370]

Thank you for making such an informative and beautiful video.

[@sueheller]

I'm making a road map for a road trip. Thank you so much for these super tips. I've got mountains, rivers, towns, pastureland with cattle... it's going to be great. Thanks again.

[@HNXMedia]

+1 for showcasing Isle of Dread. 40 years after 1st playing that module, it is still my favorite (with my original version framed in my office).

[@Mirrodin82]

Man, those miniature drawings look awesome

[@santiagi7787]

Thank you very much, now I know how easy it is to draw maps to illustrate my imagination!! 🎉😂

[@slightlyembittered]

That was cool.

[@foxtorche]

Super video! Straight to the point, easy to understand, easy to to apply. Thanks! Will use these tips right away!

[@dolgran79]

Thank you Sir for this fantastic video!

[@aycoded7840]

I love this.

[@dillyphilly124]

Cool

[@weldslikebutterfabrication483]

I was thinking of how to make maps for the book I'm currently writing or even scenes or scenarios, yes simplistic works very well for this, thank you for your time.

[@sophiedevon4023]

This video is awesome! I had no idea where to even start with making a fun map like this, and this makes it so approachable. Really well done. I’m delighted I found it.

[@dianewarde6074]

ReAlly cool! Thanks!

[@starlightqueen2002]

Omg yes I want to try this

[@flokalenda]

Loved the video 🙌🏻 i‘m such a huge tolkien fan!

[@Nick-sx8yg]

Thank you for not being arrogant about it!

[@questofknowledge8788]

I start out planning using the icon style then eventually recreate it in a more detailed version if it is warranted. I sadly don’t get many chances because I mostly just do one shots that don’t last long enough to warrant more detailed maps.

[@pinstripeowl]

This is really cool

[@H3ar1s4M3]

wow i rly ended up liking my map ty❤

[@Jarulf4477]

I love your simple and clean styles, both the symbol and Tolkien styles. Very nice!

[@timjacobs9543]

This is awesome, thanks!

[@nikodemb2833]

Very nice, thanks!

[@Chrree]

Wow! I'm really impressed by this! As an artist I'm used to always drawing everything extremely detailed and realistic. It's somehow difficult for me to draw stuff in a simple way and I really love the look of this! I would probably spend hours to draw every single tree with lots of details and never actually finish my map. I have to give this a try!

[@jamiesondgentlemen]

I love your maps! Totally brought me back to dragon warrior, ultima, on NES.

Man, thank you so much for this art class.

[@ulisazma8695]

these videos are the best tutorials on map drawing for me. it makes a lot of fun to draw this way. I would like to see how you are drawing a dungeon with all these thingies there like traps, tables, books and so on - in your special style of drawing.

[@HrisDaTrick]

One of the best tutorial about icon styles i ever seen. Just huge thank you.

[@kaelangarner9489]

This video has been really helpful and know I actually know where to start and why.

[@olinkirkland]

Absolutely fantastic video.

[@jshadow2647]

This combined with my big Minecraft projects = perfection

[@Kaminkaese]

Just made my first map yesterday, used rice as outlay and it worked really great :D Colored the paper with coffee, used some old looking stamps on the sites and it just looks soo nice. Now with your tips, my next map is going to look even better!

[@edelleaa]

i also soaked my paper in coffee and whether it's for maps, scrolls, cyphers or whatever it just gives it the perfect look!

[@princeza7030]

Hi, what does rice as outlay mean? Thanks

[@Hyenla28]

This is so helpful! i have a map in a made up series that i've been making for the past few years, and i needed a map for awhile, and now i know how to make one!

[@romanograsnick]

Nice Icon Style n.n Love it. Would love to see your skills applied on Edegard n.n

[@regretfulladproductions4300]

Dude, I love those maps. Ur a pretty darn good fantasy fiction cartographer

[@ivaburkovicova6180]

I spend the whole day searching for some cool map maker and ended her. I am really glad I haven't found a good site for making maps because this is going to be fun! It's the most helpful thing I found about creation of fantasy maps today. Thanks a lot! I've already tried some Tolkien icons and even though I can't draw they looked sooo cool! So tomorrow I'll make a whole map. Thanks a lot again! This really helped me ^-^

[@goveawu]

I want to see the result! I am still practicing the icons...

[@snichelsticks8653]

what did she do to you?

[@enrique.lozano]

Thanks for the videos. I've just started playing around with maps and have found your videos to be extremely helpful in breaking down and making it very approachable!

[@dario_pena]

Thanks for your videos. Super easy to draw all you could have in your mind. I'm recovering old sensations, with D&D games I mean, and involving my kids, and with this kind of maps, it's easier. Thanks again guy!

[@ArdikaPercha]

Your video make me ignite my creativity, thanks mate

[@drewkent4053]

Hands down best map video I have seen! So many great examples and it's still a concise video not overly long. Great job!

[@fallyeah]

i need this right now, Thankyou so much

[@sheila9869]

I can't wait to try it. Thank you so much!

[@UkuleleProductions]

This is really cool! I always forget how simple artists think, and how much you can archieve with just a few circles, lines and triangles. Thanks for the video, gonna try to use this, for my stories :D

[@Spamkromite]

Oh wow, how cool is that! Thank you for sharing your experience with us 😊I really love cartography and your style is very nice to the eyes and very informative.

[@travisc7883]

Wow! Incredibly helpful video. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. I feel like I might actually have a shot at making a map now!

[@oIceicle]

I think this was one of the best drawing tutorials for maps. It has really motivated me to do something for D&D or a fantasy story ❤

[@massi1981]

i love your style. keep on!

[@evnoteve5269]

@ 14:20 that could be like a hidden message in Morse code, just a neat idea if you had a map and everything looked normal, but the desert was actually a full on letter

[@JPCoovert]

That's an awesome idea! Or even labeling stuff with other languages that the players don't know. Like, what's up with that wizard's tower written in Abyssal?

[@saustin98]

Fabulous! Thanks for sharing this.

[@neonWHALE002]

Thanks for this video. I can’t wait to try it out myself!

[@maingim7748]

Great Job, I love your Maps... and all that iconic things...

[@noodle-eater]

Amazing, I love it already at the first time watching it, I am not really good with drawing but seeing your map makes me have more confident and like find a unique style that I want to learn.

[@TereRC]

Great video and instructions! your enthusiasm is contagious, I love that you speak with your hands! Thank you a bunch!

[@jamessm4401]

One of the things I like doing for my maps is to put a happy little sun to indicate where the shadows will fall. It does t need a smiley face on it, but it is fun.

[@umbranoctis4348]

I love these! The simple style looks like something you'd get when a non-cartographer in a smaller town or something copies from a more detailed map. Shows people how to get around, but without the flourishes a professional might be tempted to add to the drawings.

[@stefmassmemory4538]

I really like to thank you very, very much ! I'm wtriting a book wich need maps and vision of a child and your videos gave me both of them. What can I say more than you're inspiring ! Keep going to make us dream and try again and again. Long life to your channel !

[@leehoe7827]

Really love your videos! Great help for any skill level.

[@chaigallahun6727]

Wow, very impressive! I really enjoyed your walk-through on this. I love making maps and illustrating, myself. This was wonderful, even for a somewhat experienced hand-drawn mapmaker. They are SO FUN to do, and your positive energy comes across wonderfully!

[@luizi1000]

Amazing video! I`ve learnt so much! Thanks

[@tylertucker9460]

Thank you sir. Currently starting to prep a Mastadon campaign and you just gave me my map technique.