Building an amazing fantasy universe with unique and incredible characters doesn’t seem right without your very own fantasy map! Whether you’re starting with loose details or have a solid understanding of what new worlds you’d like created, I can help you bring it to life! Realistic scenery, rolling hills, towering mountains- all you’ve imagined in exquisite detail!
Choosing Wilhelm’s Map Making Service means partnering with a cartographer who’s just as excited about seeing your new world come to life as you are! I consider it a privilege to design your creation! – Wilhelm
Making Your Fantasy Map
Getting Started is easy. Feel free to send me an email using the contact tab with the following information:
- Name
- Basic sketch (initial draft)
- Size of file desired (Ex:480×480)
- Relevant Locations and names
Additional considerations may include…
- Desired Color Scheme
- Map examples for reference
- Deadline (if any)
I have often found that having all this information upfront greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to complete a map and detail it to your liking! However, I acknowledge everyone may not have all this information readily available. If you have any questions for me, or prefer to speak with me for any reason, don’t hesitate to contact me through the link attached above.
What can You Expect from a Final draft?
The picture below is a final draft preview of my latest work so you have some general understanding of what quality to expect. Keep in mind that each map is created to meet the needs and preferences of the contractor so they’re satisfied!
Creative Process from Rough Draft to Final Draft
Most of you may be wondering how the creative process works once I begin creating your fantasy map. A detailed outline of a project I began a few months below walks you through what the creative process might look like starting with the beginning stages. Hopefully the outline will provide clarity and ease any concerns you may have regarding the creative process. Keep in mind, each work can have a slightly different methodology to better suit your preferences, but the creative process to your final draft will most likely be similar to the outline.
Creative Process Outline
First: After receiving the details of an assignment, I create a rough draft of the map based on the contractor’s specifications and make minimal stylistic interpretations to get a better understanding of how the map ought to look and feel. The purpose for the interpretations are to match the expectations of the contractor’s vision and to clarify a map’s specific style.
Second: After my rough draft is reviewed, the contractor sends back any suggestions and is encouraged to add or subtract any details that might’ve surfaced as a result of the initial draft. This is an opportunity to solidify the general design before color is applied. The image below depicts what the Kingdom of Valdahein might’ve looked like had the first step of the assignment not occurred.
See the difference?
Rough Draft Differences list:
- Considerable detail including ‘Nad Hills’, ‘Scar Coast’ and ‘Ruins of Teldem’
- Fewer islands around the peninsula
- Numerous highly concentrated forests
- Labeling of locations and city/towns
A conclusion was reached that the map was too dense and that the size of the map should double forming a coast to the east that reaches from north to south. Sometimes too much detail can remove an element of mystery. In this particular instance, the contractor was looking for something more pre-enlightenment era which he only realized was important to him once the rough draft was sent over.
How do other Cartographers Handle their Rough Drafts?
Here’s a video attached below highlighting how other cartographers handle their rough drafts and sketches for comparison.
Hopefully seeing a bit of how the process works has inspired you to take action and create that world you’re dreaming of! As always, I’m here to answer any questions and help wherever I can!
Every interaction is different and made fun for both of us! The result should always make your world be just the way it was intended to be. – Wilhelm
Wilhelm's Map Maker Blog 