I just wanna say Thank you. Thanks to you now I understand how to do the maps (from 10 rules) & at that moment im watching the 7 parts on how to draw a map. It's really great help to visualise the things I wanna put in my world for my comics. I'm so lucky to find you man!
I've never actually heard of an eraser shield, pretty interesting tool... unfortunately I haven't got around to any map drawing _just_ yet, but I love the content and I'm hoping to get started soon - great video!
The first map I ever Drew was for a history class, it was terrible but I got better at it over time and now drawing Maps it's one of my favorite pastimes there's no really good time to start you just kind of have to throw yourself in there one day
@@katiedanner1 Argh yeah I guess the thing holding me back is that I feel like I need to fully detail the idea for the world in my mind before I start - which is probably insane 😂 I can always make multiple maps haha, thank you for the encouragement!
@@quinn_wbfm don't worry it takes time to get good however it's a very enjoyable thing when you make your first map, what I do is whenever I feel like my drawing Style has evolved enough I go back and redraw my first map, it's so satisfying look at what your style was, versus maybe a year or two later and see what it's become.
Some other suggestions from my building design training: A razor or exacto blade can be (gently) used in a scraping motion to remove pen instead of an eraser. Scissors - When youre on a first draft and working out where to put things, dont be afraid to cut things out and move them around. For ppl that prefer mechanical pencils, look into "clutch pencils" or "lead holders", eg Staedtler Technico. They use leads the size of actual pencil leads, but work like a mechanical pencil & you can get all the types mentioned in vid (from high Bs through F & HB to Hs, and even non-photo blue). For pens - Copic Multiliners are another good option that goes down to a 0.03. Work slightly differently due to alcohol based ink but end result is the same.
A bought a little dot notebook for drawing smaller encounter maps. I think that I will use two dots for one square moving forward to allow for a little more detail in rooms and such. Thanks for a great video, Nate, and have a good end to the school year.
There’s something nostalgic about 4H pencils. They were what we used in drafting class, because AutoCAD hadn’t made it into the public school system. First day of class was doesn’t learning to taper the point to maintain a fine drawing tip
I’m a long time watcher/lurker of the channel, and I’m really enjoying the new content. If I could put in a request, though, Id like to see more very specific mapmaking tips (kind of like your old basics miniseries, but with more specifics for town maps and styles of buildings you’d find in fantasy cities, similar to what can be found in Jared Blando’s book on the subject).
Hey WASD20 I love watching your videos for inspiration. I was wondering if you could do a video on drawing a map for the underdark in DnD. There aren’t really any good looking maps for it aside from ones with the locations overlayed on the surface map.
I would add a tool for protecting the paper from hands sweat. When I draw, my hands can ruin everything just by sweating a little : using some transparent plastic sheet between my hands and the paper as a moist barrier prevents it from happening.
I’ve never tried them but I have seen drawing gloves for that. Don’t know what they cost but if you wanted to make your own just a cheap pair of cloth gloves with all the fingers but the pinky cut off will work.
It doesn't even have to be anything fancy, either. I've seen a lot of professionals recommend just using a blank piece of scrap paper, or leftover cellophane wrapping, or something.
@@foxtoxic9722 I thought of it but I'm afraid gloves would not be very convenient for drawing, even if they are designed for it. I think a plastic sheet is both easier to get and easier to use.
@@arcticbanana66 Definitely, however be careful with what you chose : I once ruined a map using a piece of scrap paper as a moist barrier, the moist can still get through the paper and reach the map. I think using a plastic one is the safest, but as you said no need to buy anything fancy, any sheet of plastic will do, cellophane sounds great.
@@Vermillionns Obviously you don't want to use paper for any _sustained_ amount of time, at least not the _same_ piece of paper, but it's good for short drawing sessions. Cellophane's great because it's clear, it'll stick to your hand and not the paper, and it's basically free since just about everything you buy is wrapped in it, but it can be tricky to find a good-sized intact piece. For people who'd prefer to buy some, most stores that sell gift wrap will sell rolls of clear cellophane "wrapping paper".
Nate, I was wondering what your thought are on laminating maps after drawing them? DO you do it yourself, recommend it, don't recommend it, or even have suggestions on laminating machines or even do a video on that subject? Thanks
@@WASD20 completely unrelated to fantasy cartography but I take care of bowings in our regional orchestra for the cellos and bassists. We string players are very particular about our bows all moving in the same direction and classical musicians tend to be very fond of nice parts printed on fancy paper. You have to mark all of these bowings for the musicians and I have the joy of erasing old ones and writing in new ones. Words can’t describe the amount of erasing I do and the electric eraser is a divine tool.
A good light, a bridge (arm rest that keeps your hands off the work), and if you are working small magnifying lenses to save on eye strain. Becomes really important after 40.
my favorite topic from him is world-building. If he ever decides to exstend videos of that context I would like to add "what are the charaters there for" and " how do charaters effect the enviroment." as something to think about while creating a world.
Hey guys, quick question. What is the desire for quick map making aids Iike stickers or stamps, that have doors, windows, stairs, etc, that you can quickly place down on you hand made maps, letting you make good looking maps without tons of skill.
I don't know that it's "most" useful, but a flexible curve tool is very nice for drawing curved guidelines for names of terrain features. They're also really useful for drawing on MDF or extruded PVC or foamcore when making terrain, but that's a different subject entirely. 8-)
for the people who dont know how to make maps currently close ye eyes and put dots with the pencil and connect them jaggedy and smooth and add the other stuff
Could you make a coparative rules guide for Darks Souls The Roleplaying game? - Either im extreamly dumb or the rules dont make sence - Read through the rule book 4x and I still dont get it.. that is if its in your agenda!
Harder leads also mean scratches on the paper if you aren't careful. Best to use a mechanical pencil or regular pencil and draw light. Finishing up with a good waterproof ink to line things in. Just keeping it simple and just my opinion. Every artist has their own method.
The light table it's too exp3nsive for me and i just use my kitchen's table which is made out of glass and i use the phone's light. Simple and dirt cheap
It is called Steadtler because it is german in german it would be written städtler witch is a dialect version of the word städter wich is a male person who grew up in a city or you cann easaly see that he grew up in city, the feamle version is stadterin. (it all ist only possible and not necesarry true, accept for the part that it is german)
FyI: Staedtler is a german brand, "dt" is not that rare in German. Pronounciation would be something like "sh-T-a-dd-l-r" (the A like the a in "bat"). :)
Thanks to you my 13 year old son has found a love drawing maps ! They have been pretty good ! He's having so much fun, thanks again !!
Thanks Nate! For a fledgling cartographer like me who doesn't use digital this is really helpful xD
Great, thanks. Happy mapping!
What a fantastic explanation of all the tools of the trade! Appreciate your insights! Will be sharing for sure.
I just wanna say Thank you. Thanks to you now I understand how to do the maps (from 10 rules) & at that moment im watching the 7 parts on how to draw a map. It's really great help to visualise the things I wanna put in my world for my comics.
I'm so lucky to find you man!
I've never actually heard of an eraser shield, pretty interesting tool... unfortunately I haven't got around to any map drawing _just_ yet, but I love the content and I'm hoping to get started soon - great video!
The first map I ever Drew was for a history class, it was terrible but I got better at it over time and now drawing Maps it's one of my favorite pastimes there's no really good time to start you just kind of have to throw yourself in there one day
@@katiedanner1 Argh yeah I guess the thing holding me back is that I feel like I need to fully detail the idea for the world in my mind before I start - which is probably insane 😂 I can always make multiple maps haha, thank you for the encouragement!
@@quinn_wbfm don't worry it takes time to get good however it's a very enjoyable thing when you make your first map, what I do is whenever I feel like my drawing Style has evolved enough I go back and redraw my first map, it's so satisfying look at what your style was, versus maybe a year or two later and see what it's become.
Some other suggestions from my building design training:
A razor or exacto blade can be (gently) used in a scraping motion to remove pen instead of an eraser.
Scissors - When youre on a first draft and working out where to put things, dont be afraid to cut things out and move them around.
For ppl that prefer mechanical pencils, look into "clutch pencils" or "lead holders", eg Staedtler Technico. They use leads the size of actual pencil leads, but work like a mechanical pencil & you can get all the types mentioned in vid (from high Bs through F & HB to Hs, and even non-photo blue).
For pens - Copic Multiliners are another good option that goes down to a 0.03. Work slightly differently due to alcohol based ink but end result is the same.
Cut-ups is always a smart procedure
Great video! I’d love to see the digital version of this as well!
Noted! :)
A bought a little dot notebook for drawing smaller encounter maps. I think that I will use two dots for one square moving forward to allow for a little more detail in rooms and such. Thanks for a great video, Nate, and have a good end to the school year.
The blue animation pencil is key to my process. Very easy to erase once everything has been inked in.
Great idea using a topper for your current desk to make it a drafting table - brilliant idea!
There’s something nostalgic about 4H pencils. They were what we used in drafting class, because AutoCAD hadn’t made it into the public school system. First day of class was doesn’t learning to taper the point to maintain a fine drawing tip
Never knew there was a blue no-photo pencil...that's so cool!
I always appreciate your videos Nate and I learn stuff eveery time!
Nice video, I've had a break from drawing maps for my campaigns but maybe I need to jump back in (the party also recently teleported so...).
I’m a long time watcher/lurker of the channel, and I’m really enjoying the new content. If I could put in a request, though, Id like to see more very specific mapmaking tips (kind of like your old basics miniseries, but with more specifics for town maps and styles of buildings you’d find in fantasy cities, similar to what can be found in Jared Blando’s book on the subject).
Cool! Suggestions like this are always appreciated.
Cool video, looking forward to your digital map drawing video
Always great content from you. Thanks Nate!
I see map video, than I click, the process is very simple.
Staedtler triplus fine liners are pretty good. I love microns too tho
lotta good advice here, good to see you back
Thanks!
Thank you .
Hey WASD20 I love watching your videos for inspiration. I was wondering if you could do a video on drawing a map for the underdark in DnD. There aren’t really any good looking maps for it aside from ones with the locations overlayed on the surface map.
I also recommend a soft hand broom. If you use a eraser you can clean your paper map better.
this is a great video wasd20 you are the best
I would add a tool for protecting the paper from hands sweat.
When I draw, my hands can ruin everything just by sweating a little : using some transparent plastic sheet between my hands and the paper as a moist barrier prevents it from happening.
I’ve never tried them but I have seen drawing gloves for that. Don’t know what they cost but if you wanted to make your own just a cheap pair of cloth gloves with all the fingers but the pinky cut off will work.
It doesn't even have to be anything fancy, either. I've seen a lot of professionals recommend just using a blank piece of scrap paper, or leftover cellophane wrapping, or something.
@@foxtoxic9722 I thought of it but I'm afraid gloves would not be very convenient for drawing, even if they are designed for it. I think a plastic sheet is both easier to get and easier to use.
@@arcticbanana66 Definitely, however be careful with what you chose : I once ruined a map using a piece of scrap paper as a moist barrier, the moist can still get through the paper and reach the map.
I think using a plastic one is the safest, but as you said no need to buy anything fancy, any sheet of plastic will do, cellophane sounds great.
@@Vermillionns Obviously you don't want to use paper for any _sustained_ amount of time, at least not the _same_ piece of paper, but it's good for short drawing sessions. Cellophane's great because it's clear, it'll stick to your hand and not the paper, and it's basically free since just about everything you buy is wrapped in it, but it can be tricky to find a good-sized intact piece. For people who'd prefer to buy some, most stores that sell gift wrap will sell rolls of clear cellophane "wrapping paper".
You could use french curves to draw whirlpools or sea monsters :)
Good one!
Nate, I was wondering what your thought are on laminating maps after drawing them? DO you do it yourself, recommend it, don't recommend it, or even have suggestions on laminating machines or even do a video on that subject? Thanks
I never have! If it’s something I want to make sure I preserve I simply scan it.
This is silly but give an electric eraser a try sometime. Relatively cheap to pick up and can give you really fine control with max erase power.
Never thought of one, but that makes sense. The fact that you can hold it relatively still would indeed help with control.
@@WASD20 completely unrelated to fantasy cartography but I take care of bowings in our regional orchestra for the cellos and bassists. We string players are very particular about our bows all moving in the same direction and classical musicians tend to be very fond of nice parts printed on fancy paper. You have to mark all of these bowings for the musicians and I have the joy of erasing old ones and writing in new ones. Words can’t describe the amount of erasing I do and the electric eraser is a divine tool.
Wow. Interesting!😆
A
good light, a bridge (arm rest that keeps your hands off the work), and if you are working small magnifying lenses to save on eye strain. Becomes really important after 40.
my favorite topic from him is world-building. If he ever decides to exstend videos of that context I would like to add "what are the charaters there for" and " how do charaters effect the enviroment." as something to think about while creating a world.
A flexible curve tool can be useful for text on a curve if you're not working on a computer.
Hey guys, quick question. What is the desire for quick map making aids Iike stickers or stamps, that have doors, windows, stairs, etc, that you can quickly place down on you hand made maps, letting you make good looking maps without tons of skill.
Nice video :)
Can you recommend a digital drawing tool if one doesn't want to draw with pencils?
Here’s a video for you! Drawing Digital Maps: A Guide (Photoshop/Gimp)
ruclips.net/video/NiH-Y9KeCbE/видео.html
please can you make a warforged barbarian and/or a dragonborn monk.
I don't know that it's "most" useful, but a flexible curve tool is very nice for drawing curved guidelines for names of terrain features.
They're also really useful for drawing on MDF or extruded PVC or foamcore when making terrain, but that's a different subject entirely. 8-)
for the people who dont know how to make maps currently close ye eyes and put dots with the pencil and connect them jaggedy and smooth and add the other stuff
Could you make a coparative rules guide for Darks Souls The Roleplaying game? - Either im extreamly dumb or the rules dont make sence - Read through the rule book 4x and I still dont get it..
that is if its in your agenda!
Harder leads also mean scratches on the paper if you aren't careful. Best to use a mechanical pencil or regular pencil and draw light. Finishing up with a good waterproof ink to line things in. Just keeping it simple and just my opinion. Every artist has their own method.
Yes, that’s a good point. Personally I’m a both and guy. Hard lead AND very light pressure.
The light table it's too exp3nsive for me and i just use my kitchen's table which is made out of glass and i use the phone's light. Simple and dirt cheap
Nice solution!
I do this too! My glass table has helped me make so many maps lol
The D, then a T in the name is a german / germanic thing;
The german word for "city" is "Stadt", for example
Staedtler would be pronounced "shtedler", last e being pronounced too.
Thanks for the help! Lol. I struggled with that one.
@@WASD20 No problem!
im creating a fantasy world for a book. so this can help me
It is called Steadtler because it is german in german it would be written städtler witch is a dialect version of the word städter wich is a male person who grew up in a city or you cann easaly see that he grew up in city, the feamle version is stadterin. (it all ist only possible and not necesarry true, accept for the part that it is german)
I perfer using copic pens for drawing maps and cartoons. I made one look like an old map by using skintones.
Nice! I’ve been thinking for a long time I should get some Copic pens. Pretty expensive, though!
@@WASD20 yeah! But their well worth the price. I believe some manga artists from japan use them.
Hey a Calvin logo!
My alma mater. You too?
@@WASD20 Yep
Hello
FyI: Staedtler is a german brand, "dt" is not that rare in German. Pronounciation would be something like "sh-T-a-dd-l-r" (the A like the a in "bat"). :)
Nice! Thanks for the tip.
tja, ich wollte grade das gleiche schreiben
In your channel name… is that a NATURAL 20???
BEANS
Which store do you use buy from?
Art stores or Amazon. I have links in the video description.
🌟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐦
Thank you
Hi