DevenRue posts
Posts: 496
Files: 1158
Laying Down the Foundation
Click here to return to the course indexWhen starting a map, I like to lay down some grid lines even if I don’t use them in the final image. They’re there to give me a sense of size & distance for the land I’m creating. To best illustrate this point, the image below is just the coastlines of a map I’ve started:SEE ATTACHMENT: Lines Sample 1 (below)You have no idea if this is a set of islands or continents. So I add a few lines and…SEE A...
Planning the Project
Click here to return to the course indexBefore I ever put a pencil to paper, I make a general plan of the project I’m going to make. Now this is a matter of personal preference and definitely not something all cartographers do. I personally do it so I can remain focused on my main objective (be it to tell a story, to make an artistic piece, to have a mini adventure, or even just a fun treasure map) and so I don’t get stuck midway through beca...
Note Taking for Map Making
Click here to return to the course indexWhether you’re planning on drawing a map for yourself or working with a cartographer, here’s some things to keep in mind when keeping notes on the world you’re buildingWhere does your adventure start?The best place to start is at the beginning. When you’re building a fantasy world, much of it changes as your story progresses, especially if it’s a map you’re building from your RPG campaign. Needi...
Understanding Scale & Distance
Click here to return to the course indexScale is the relation of objects on a map to each other. Not specifically a tree to a mountain but more like one region to another. To give the impression of a vast wasteland, it needs to be much bigger in size than the regions around it. A deep, ancient forest should be quite large to allow for much of it to be unexplored. Who fears exploring a forest if it’s but a few hours from one end to the other? Ma...
Materials & Tools
Click here to return to the course indexAbbreviated links are to Amazon for direct purchase and/or to serve as an example. This is in no way an endorsement for Amazon but merely to serve as a visual & descriptiveexample for you to use when purchasing supplies from various vendors. Heavy weight drawing paper – http://amzn.to/2jqOWNp–I recommend using a minimum of 80 lb paper, especially if you plan on coloring your maps with anything other tha...
Cartography Course
Updated: 8/16/2020 - Archipelago article addedLinks for the individual classes are in the order in which they should be viewed: Materials & Tools List- Updated to include digital items Understanding Scale & Distance Note Taking for Map Making Planning the ProjectStart Sketching Laying Down the Foundation Creating Borders The Lay of the Land Biomes: Tundra & Desert, Forests, Savannas, Temperate & Steppes Bodies of Water Archipelagos Cartography Sh...
Patron Reward
Don't forget you can get a square pic, short description, & link posted on my website just for being a patron. :D Message me with the details of what you'd like me to post at deven.rue@gmail.com
April Giveaway
Share your favorite design of mine for a chance to win it! #RueInkMe April Giveaway details: https://www.rueink.com/contests-giveaways/
April Giveaway
Share your favorite design of mine for a chance to win it! #RueInkMe April Giveaway details: https://www.rueink.com/contests-giveaways/
Finishing the Raven's Call Map
Click here to return to the course indexNow that you’ve seen how I add details & shading to specific areas, let’s watch me pull the whole thing together to make the Raven’s Call Map.OPTIONAL HOMEWORK: Now that you’ve seen how I shade my maps and add details, it’s time for you to give it a try! Using the map you’ve created with the previous lessons, start adding detail, shading, & your own touches.
Creating Cliffs
Click here to return to the course index
Buddhathulhu on fabric
The elder gods commanded it! Now available in my shop.
Shading Mountains
Click here to return to the course index
Creating a Desert Landscape
Click here to return to the course index
Creating Ruins
Click here to return to the course index
April Giveaway
Share your favorite design of mine for a chance to win it! #RueInkMe April Giveaway details: https://www.rueink.com/contests-giveaways/
Shading Trees
Click here to return to the course index
Druid Moon Fabric
By request, my Druid Moon design has been added to a light colored background on fabric. You can find it and the same design on a black background in my Spoonflower shop! https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/rueinkUse them for your favorite crafts & tag me when you're done! If you sell the items, let me know so I can add a link to your shop on my site!
Shading Hills
Click here to return to the course index
Shading Evergreen Trees
Click here to return to the course index
Basic Inking
Click here to return to the course indexNow that we have the details sketched out and to our linking, we need to start inking the map. Because I overlap my topography features, I start from the bottom and work my way upward. As that’s not the easiest thing to do, please don’t feel you need to do the same. Again, this course is meant to give you a behind-the-scenes look into how I make my maps and to encourage you to try it while finding your ...
Cartography Class
Due to a glitch earlier this week, I've moved the cartography course lessons to new URLs so they should all work for anyone taking the course. Please remember to update your bookmarks!
Let's Sketch!
Click here to return to the course indexThis is a video of me creating a freehand map. Though it’s a little under 16 minutes in length, it gives you a good idea of how my maps start.Working through your preliminary sketches, no matter how much you dislike them, is a crucial part of bringing your cartography to the next level. Remember, its only a basic idea for you to work off of when you go to ink. Speaking of, now that I have an idea of what ...
Cartography Shorthand
Click here to return to the course indexCartography shorthand is exactly what it sounds like: using quickly made icons/symbols to represent larger features on a map. To demonstrate just how quickly you can sketch a map, watch this five minute video on how I make a “scout’s map”.You get the general idea of the lay of the land and it took me only minute to make. I have found this is the best way for me to start when creating maps. I will ofte...
Cartography Class - Borders
Click here to return to the course indexCreating a border for your map isn’t necessary but it does add to a more “completed” look. If you don’t have the skills to draw something fancy, you can always simply make lines with a ruler or even use stencils. Here’s a video showing a few examples of that.OPTIONAL EXERCISE:Using the grid you laid out in the previous lesson, add a border around the map area (in pencil) before moving on to the ne...
April Giveaway!
Share your favorite design of mine for a chance to win it! #RueInkMe April Giveaway details: https://www.rueink.com/contests-giveaways/
Linked accounts
If you've ever had an account on my website using the same email you use for Patreon, your account has now been linked on RueInk.com to make your rewards level. In case you want to pop on there and check things out, you now can. :)
Cartography Photography - Coming Soon!
So I'm thinking that I've got quite a lot of map-related photography on my computer and that perhaps you all would be interested in some of it. So hopefully soon, I'll be adding some Cartography Photography to my website for download. :D
Join me in the Rue Ink studio
Don't forget you can now join me daily in my studio by claiming your Discord rewards!
Thank you!
Thank you to all my patrons! This month your pledges have gone towards the creation of a new cartography project I will reveal soon!
