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A review by adularia25
How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans by Jared Blando
3.0
I would have loved to have this book back when I was in art school, for some of the pen, ink, and techniques. This is very much for beginners, though, so it doesn't go into anything in-depth. I do like how it suggests experimenting to find what works best for you.
As for the maps themselves, while lovely, they are of the standard western European medieval fantasy type. The elves live in forests, barbarian raiders from the north (always the north) are based on vikings, the ancient civilizations are based on Greek and Roman designs, and green-skinned orcs are out for your blood. I understand that is bog-standard fantasy material, but it would have been nice if it gave visual alternatives to tired tropes.
Because it is based on western Europe, there aren't sections for how to make interesting deserts, or steppes, or canyons, it basically sticks to mountains, hills, forests, marshes, farmland and seas. There is a nice (though basic) section on heraldry and making shields, banners, and icons for your various cities, holdfasts, and castles. And it covers some interesting border techniques from the 16th century.
As for the maps themselves, while lovely, they are of the standard western European medieval fantasy type. The elves live in forests, barbarian raiders from the north (always the north) are based on vikings, the ancient civilizations are based on Greek and Roman designs, and green-skinned orcs are out for your blood. I understand that is bog-standard fantasy material, but it would have been nice if it gave visual alternatives to tired tropes.
Because it is based on western Europe, there aren't sections for how to make interesting deserts, or steppes, or canyons, it basically sticks to mountains, hills, forests, marshes, farmland and seas. There is a nice (though basic) section on heraldry and making shields, banners, and icons for your various cities, holdfasts, and castles. And it covers some interesting border techniques from the 16th century.