How to Draw a Map of an Imaginary Place

Drawing maps of imaginary places is wonderfully fun; doing this can inspire your imagination and is also an unexplored form of art.^{[1]XResearch source} In this tutorial, you will find guidelines on how to draw maps that look natural, vivid, and visually appealing.

Steps

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Focus on the features that tie up the map together, such as coastlines, mountains or other major features you want your map to focus on.
It can be a good idea to begin with coastlines, if your map is to have bodies of water in it. Do not expect your drawing to look like your mental image, even with the simplest idea.^{[2]XResearch source}
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This will help to make your map more interesting and will help you to balance the image in later phases of drawing.
If you aren't sure what you want the map to look like, just start drawing lines oriented around shapes and lines.
Then add the details later as you define the various regions; this includes coloring.
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Note the details of maps. If you know enough about maps, you will see that that each area has unique features, keep an open mind and don't limit yourself to maps that look the same all over. Things to add include (some of these are elaborated on in the following steps):
- Mountains
- Canyons
- Coastlines
- Rivers, lakes
- Islands, islets
- Forests
- Major roads
- Cities, towns, villages, outposts, hermit dwellings, farms, etc.
- Animal herds, groupings, etc.
When drawing coastlines try to be especially detailed and varying, make certain areas with many peninsulas and bays, and others that are straighter. Islands and lakes can be anywhere, but try to make a peaceful composition. Make the general shape of your landmass first, then add more eccentric features, you have to pull the coastlines inward and outward, otherwise, the map will look unnatural.
Mountains are normally in small clusters or chains. If you make a large cluster, it should be connected to other areas. Mountains can be absolutely anywhere and should not be limited because they are also a very important part of your composition.
Rivers can also be anywhere, make sure most of them are wavy, but they don't always have to be. Rivers in mountainous areas are usually straighter than rivers in flat areas. Try to make them originate from lakes (any size) or areas of higher elevation.
Make archipelagos and clusters, but lone islands may also be used. If coastlines and landmasses still confuse you, try to extend your drawing to include underwater elevations.
Include hills, vegetation, and population. Add in animal herds. Be creative and follow your heart. Add details that make it look more realistic.

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Question
How can I make my map look older?
Community Answer
Try drawing it on a sheet of crumpled up parchment paper. If you can't find any, you can always use brown craft paper, like from a paper bag. Draw the map using black ink, then tear the edges slightly. You can stain them using tea or charcoal to make them look older and worn.
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Question
How can you draw landforms in the sky above the island/imaginary earth, such as cloud palaces or sky islands?
Blackcats
Community Answer
You just follow the instructions for a mainland or island. Make it floating above the main part of land, and add some shadows on it. Then, on the bottom of the landform in the sky, you can draw clouds or jagged, broken rock and earth to show it came out of the ground.
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Question
What if I cannot draw the outline?
Lily Wolfe
Top Answerer
Just close your eyes and draw a random shape on a piece of paper.
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Tips

Rainforests must always coincide with high temperatures and bodies of water.
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Borders or names can always be interesting to try.
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As with everything else, cities can be located anywhere, but you should be imaginative as to where you place them. Most major cities are on or near bodies of water, the interior is generally less populated.
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Warnings

Always mind the geographic features, all features from elevation, water, to population must be considered in your style of map, because if you are careless about a mountain chain somewhere, it might ruin your intentions.
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