Mountains: Drawing Realistic Ranges and Fantasy Map Musings

Thoughts on how to draw mountain ranges more realistically on your fantasy maps.
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[@bluecarrotrm]

I think that one of the issues I have is stems from my having been raised in mountains. To me they are a place. Often, in fantasy maps, mountains are a barrier between places. I'd love to see maps of a mountainous area that has small but habitable valleys and interesting roads and locations.

[@mexa_t6534]

Cole McBroom that’s kinda how my map is. Most of the eastern section is basically a huge range that’s almost an entire nation and there are cities between the mountains or just flat out on top of them

[@RidleyofZebes]

There aren't many good video tutorials on map drawing out there, and you are definitely one of the best, Nate. Keep it up. You've been a huge personal inspiration to me, so thank you. Learn from criticism, but don't let it deter you from what you do.

[@WASD20]

Well said, and thanks so much.

[@GriswoldCain]

He meant well said at the 'you're def one of the best' part. He thought the rest was okay.

[@corrupt_reverend5123]

There are some strong opinions on /r/mapmakers as to what a map should or shouldn't look like. Try not to let them get ya down. You make really great maps and are very good at teaching others how to make maps as well. Keep doin' what you do and I'm certain you'll never have a shortage of viewers.

[@WASD20]

Thanks!

[@Grumium101]

It's great watching you draw. Don't let anyone get you down. You do a great job. Make a map mostly with rivers and call it Riverland if you want. That's why this is fantasy. You can do things the way you want to do it, and not the way that other people TELL you to do it.

[@lukeshort2960]

True, it is your own personal world after all.

[@QuestingBeast]

it's definitely true that doing horizontal mountains with the ridge technique is a whole lot harder. I've definitely gravitated towards doing the individual peaks myself. That way you can get the mountainous regions that look more realistic. You can also add things like foothills and rough terrain at the base of the mountains and it'll feel like they're better integrated into the landscape.

[@WASD20]

Absolutely. Foothills and smaller mountains at the base of big ones are a really nice addition. Thanks for the comment!

[@davids.9313]

I don't know, the ridgeline technique works better than the triangular technique because I am not sure at what angle the triangles should be tilted or how long the sides or how close each mountain should be to each other

[@Vohasiiv]

Good thing the first range I'm doing is horizontal

[@tommasoarpe7711]

I think you're brilliant at drawing maps. Don't care what other people say. Keep up the good work 👍

[@collinhalligan9921]

man I love this channel, please keep it up

[@felscorf456]

Personally I've found that the ridge line to be an excellent way to practice drawing mountains but not so much implementing the ridge line into actual maps. This is because the ridge line forces you to follow a certain line where tectonic plates meet thereby teaching you to draw the mountains more realistic so to speak. What it does not do is present a mountain range in a matter of girth; the Misty Mountains in LoTR for example is a straight line of mountains that have no width to them. So when switching back to individual mountain technique a natural ridge line forms anyway but with more girth and roughed terrain surrounding the ridge. I tried to communicate that with fewer words, I really did...

[@crystalheart9]

Loving all these videos on map drawing! I've never drawn a fantasy map but always found them very fascinating when I would see one in a book. Looks like a lot of fun and so many skills involved. Your maps are beautiful and don't listen to people who like to sit behind their computer and criticize. Everyone has something to teach no matter where we are in our journey. Keep up the great work!

[@NinaFelwitch]

I really like the background music. And of course the mountains. I'm a beginner GM, just starting to create my own world and your videos really help a lot! Thank you

[@josephlin7524]

I definitely don't think you need to be the "really good" at something in order to start teaching something. Awesome content man.

[@unrealscenics4702]

Keep it up Nate, videos are great to watch and i like seeing your hard work and progression in cartography, feel were all learning together. 👌🏻

[@WASD20]

Thanks!

[@tully667]

Your fantasy maps and style are great. Screw realism

[@tntreborn1049]

thanks wasd20 for teaching me how to draw mountains you expired me to make map of my own I found this channel just be typing in fantasy maps when I saw the map I click it an I love it I'm getting better and better because of you I hope you read this keep it up

[@WASD20]

Well thanks! Happy mapping to you.

[@gayvideos3808]

Thank you so much! I'm creating a world called Faerulinda, and eventually, I think in a few months to a year, I want to write a book series about it. Before I write the book, however, I'm doing a lot of worldbuilding: creating the history and culture of Faerulinda, the magic system, and even a language called Faerese for the inhabitants to speak. On top of all that, I also want to draw the official map of Faerulinda, to be used in the book, and your channel has helped me a lot with it. Please keep doing map videos.

[@drewjarrell2667]

love your stuff

[@naragasu]

Watched couple of your videos - you're doing a great job mate, ty for many insights on map drawing, my maps got a lot better after this. Greetings from Ukraine and keep it up )

[@WASD20]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback! Happy mapping.

[@melaniegilbert5848]

I've watched so many tutorials, but I'm terrified to start drawing maps. I get as far as drawing out the continent and islands and then I clam up. But, I'm going to do it. I'm going to draw some mountains today. Thanks for the tutorials!

[@StarshipsSteel]

Scale and symbology are important to remember when drawing these features. Scale: As you zoomed out the ranges started to look a lot more like you would seen drawn on a map. Being zoomed in on the rockies looks very different than being zoomed out. Symbology: Remember you aren't drawing every exact peak in these ranges, you are drawing symbols to show where the mountainous areas exist. This may change if you zoom in a lot, but at a continent level I would say it holds pretty true. Drawing them in as a zig zagged concept might not be "real" but it might be a cool way to show a wide swath of mountains. This map from 1794 is a prime example of this idea. It shows the mountainous areas, but clearly is not realistic: www.raremaps.com/maps/medium/16112.jpg Anyhow. Just some general map thoughts. Have a great one and thanks for the video!

[@WASD20]

Yes! All important stuff. I thought about bringing both of those things up in this video, and kind of did, but less eloquently. Thanks for the comment! Might warrant a future video, and I'll definitely give you props. :)

[@StarshipsSteel]

I was watching at work....Audio sucks there. :)

[@crazycatlady2744]

For fantasy maps and any kind of drawing in general, realism only kind of matters. The wavy mountain ridge is more stylised, and as long as it communicates where the mountain range is in the world, that's okay. Especially if there's a mountain settlement or one side's heavily forested.

[@thisrandomdude2880]

Well, I kinda always picture mountains as being lines because, in my little country, that's what mountains are like. There are two mountain ranges between them there's a valley and in that valley, there's a long river. So I instinctively draw them like any fantasy mapper would because that's just how they are in real life, at least from my perspective.

[@pisceanx8382]

Love your channel! And I personally do like the ridgeline style. And who cares if it's not totally realistic? It's fantasy, so it doesn't have to be like a real world map. 🌎

[@amenditman]

Love your drawing videos. One caveat, I am hearing impaired and your music is not background enough. It is just as loud or louder than your voice and my ability to hear your words fades in and out depending on the music volume swell and you moving relative to your mic.

[@parisanastasopoulos]

First of all, you are doing an amazing job Nate!!! Your tutorials gave me the courage to actually attempt making a map for my D&D setting as well as tons of inspiration! Is there any chance of giving some more info about shading with ink? I'm trying something like your Inshar mountains but my mountains become kinda dull and too much dark. I would be grateful if you could give some advice :)

[@Lightning_Lance]

This music reminds me of Dwarf Fortress a little.

[@fuckyouforacccusingme9912]

Nate spent some time in Cougar Valley in this video.

[@lukeshort2960]

I'd like to see how you would draw terrain like the badlands and massa's in the western United States for a fantasy world, don't see a lot of that type of features on fantasy maps.

[@cheyennesears724]

I’m new here and trying to make my first map. Do you have any tips on making really old mountains, like the Appalachian mountains? Love your videos!

[@christopherwarwick5956]

Your maps work.

[@kiradixon3195]

I don't know what that person's problem is that you were talking about, Nate. You know how to make a map and an impressive one at that. Realism is kind of important, but the point of these worlds is to escape reality. Even if it is just in a map or D&D. I, for one, am very grateful for your tutorials. I'm writing a trilogy right now and this is helping me create my world. I did have one request, though. Could you please do a tutorial on Lettering? I just can't get it to look right for the life of me. The angle's always wrong and the letters themselves leaves much to be desired. I'd really appreciate it if you could go through that just once more.

[@slaterjones9984]

I want to play D&D so much

[@TheWonderboy420]

I think you do a great job Nate! Keep up the good work. How much do you charge for a map? I have a home brew I've been working on for quite some time. But, my skills are not that good. I would like if you have time to look at it and let me know what you think.

[@WASD20]

Thanks. Not currently doing map commissions. Taking a long break, after which I will need to re-evaluate pricing. Probably at least a couple hundred dollars each.

[@brianleclaire5886]

Honestly, at the beginning of the video, I prefer the mountain range on the right. I think the back and forth mountain technique looks much more intimidating, like they’re much higher and scarier. The range on the left looks safer, less intimidating and smaller in scale. To me anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@johnconnor3k]

@WASD20 is it necessary to use the pen you are using in the video or the Sakura Pigma 30062 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen is good too?

[@WASD20]

Any pen will do. Whatever you think looks good.

[@johnconnor3k]

@@WASD20 thanks

[@drewjarrell2667]

Hey Nate? how can i send a copy of my own drawn map for you to look at?

[@WASD20]

Sure! Hit me up on facebook or Twitter. Links in description.

[@redcat1630]

Have you seen the new Inkarnate? A lot has changed.

[@WASD20]

I've been meaning to dive in and do another video sometime. Haven't touched it in over a year!

[@AllAroundFlight]

Hey, thanks for the update, i am really struggling with mountains yet. I am working of my first map right now. Did a rough sketch on inkarnate, that u mentioned before :) I trying to do it on photoshop now but i think its even harder than on paper. Are there any special custom brushes you use? If you have too much time you can look at the sketch i made and tell me if i am on the right track. The left island broke out from the mainland after and earthquake which makes getting to the main city hard. the only way is through the dungeon through the mountains. imgur.com/Mhs2wPW Sry for my bad English ^^

[@silentstormxd5530]

Where can i find his outro music?

[@WASD20]

It's called Hot Heat.

[@silentstormxd5530]

Thanks!

[@silentstormxd5530]

@WASD20 xD i’ve been listening to the song for hours now, you’ve got great taste! And I just wanted to thank you, I’ve been able to draw a bunch of great maps thanks to you!

[@schwarzerritter5724]

The people living in your fantasy world probably have not seen the mountains from space, so they draw them how they imagine them when looking from the ground.

[@williampfeiffer5536]

Well.. middle earth was created symmetrically by the valar but was later marred by morgoth, I wouldn't expect it to be realistic

[@WASD20]

You mean Tolkien's off the hook!? That ruins everything.

[@Alawatakima]

Could you just split up the continuous method to break up the single line? Say 3 basic formations that interlock?

[@draco5991rep]

Alawatakima Try it out, I guess. The worst thing that can happen that it doesn't work

[@StephanLiebenberg]

Great vid, your music is just a touch too loud for me. (just my 2c)

[@WASD20]

That's cool. I always appreciate that kind of feedback! :)

[@paulh9091]

Love your videos. One critique: Could you turn off the music or at least get a new song, please? Thanks.

[@WASD20]

Thanks for the feedback! It's appreciated.

[@ChristinaHenning-zc9vj]

Do you. Critics will always have their complaints.

[@strandednseattle]

People will always have something negative to say. Don't confuse that with constructive criticism. If you are out there trying to help people better their own work then I think you're fine. I sure don't see the naysayer making his or her own tutorials.

[@mikeyoung9810]

People tend to get obsessed with realism when it comes to games (only in appearences but not in gameplay). But the concept of fantasy is one of creating something that isn't realistic so therefore doesn't have to follow realism. And, at least to me, it's more like correcting people's grammar and spelling every chance you get when you need to bring up that the mountains weren't realistic enough. That sort of ruins the 'fantasy" you were creating.

[@GriswoldCain]

Dude that is a massive pad or you are a halfling.

[@WASD20]

Pad is 11x14, I am 6'4". We be giants.

[@ExecratedPlaysGaming]

Who complains about Middle Earth? Besides people that have never read the books because they're too long and difficult for them, of course.

[@vukodsrbije]

No one complains about Middle Earth, The map is very accurate and realistic, i don't know what he was thinking???

[@WASD20]

I must be running in the wrong circles. I've heard people criticize it before, but I don't have huge issues with it. I look at the mountains around Mordor and find them oddly square, but other than that . . . meh. donsmaps.com/middleearthmap.html

[@ExecratedPlaysGaming]

WASD20 Well, the Ephel Duath and Ered Lithui weren't exactly natural mountains. They were formed by the rending of the earth at the end of the War of Wrath, and are not a result of normal tectonic activity. Middle-Earth is a world that was literally sung into existence, and so I think we can accept that its mountains might be different from our own. And now I want to read the Silmarillion again.

[@WASD20]

See, I couldn't do it. Love the LoTR, but couldn't get far in the Silmarillion. :) But yeah, that all makes sense. That's the beauty of fantasy maps as well. The rules of nature can be bent by magic and otherworldly occurrences. I dig it.

[@roguegen5536]

Haters gonna hate.