My Process

My process for creating fantasy illustrations and cartography starts with inspiration such as strange geography, interesting history that impacted the lands, a funny name, or perhaps an anomaly. Then I sketch out lightly where I will place my continents, titles, compass, and names. It's important for me to make a plan to stay organized and clean. 

Once everything is in place, then I can start inking. 

I also pay attention to my body while I draw. If I notice that I am rushing or "winging it," I pause and take a break. Take your time, breathe, and trust yourself. 
I love to focus on unique elements that will make my map stand out and transport my clients to a new world.

I take pride in my work, and I am committed to producing high-quality maps that all my friends can be proud of.

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For new artists interested in creating fantasy illustrations, it's important to start with high-quality materials, which doesn't necessarily mean high-price tags. I always recommend using heavy paper, a good quality eraser, and a ruler, which can help with creating clean lines and keeping your work free from smudges. When sketching, I use a light mechanical pencil and avoid using shiny paper as it can be easily damaged and often does not erase well. To keep my maps well-balanced, I use light horizontal lines as a guide while I work.

Following these steps can help anyone create stunning fantasy illustrations.

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My Must Haves:

• Micron Pens .003, .005, .05, .8, & Brush: For line variance and depth

• Gray Marker: For shadows

• Gridded Ruler

• Polymer Eraser

• Heavy Paper 

• Mechanical Pencil