How To Draw A Mountain On A Map

In this guide I'one thousand going to teach y'all how to draw mountains for a fantasy map. This is part of the Author'south Guide to Cartoon Maps, and and so far we've covered:

How to depict land
Adding tectonic plates
Landscaping your world map
How to add prevailing winds and oceanic currents

This guide is also available every bit a PDF which tin can be bought at the Fantasy Map Market. As a bonus the PDF also comes with my "Map Maker's Resource Kit".

How to draw mountains on a map

Mountains are of import.

From the Andes and the Rockies to the Alps and the Himalaya, mountains form part of our planet'due south ecosystem. They influence weather conditions across global and regional climates and form the source of both small and large rivers.

In some cultures mountains are a symbol of the planet.

Nifty battles are fought on, around and in the shadow of mountains. For example The Battle of Thermopylae was only possible for the Greeks because of the narrow laissez passer at the human foot of Mount Kallidromo.

And there are many stories where an individual embarks on a pilgrimage up a sacred mountain on a spiritual quest.

Just imagine how mountains accept changed the course of history in your world. Moving-picture show the stories you could tell.

This is my guide to help y'all draw mountains to your world map. Which in turn will provide hooks for stories, adventures or the rise of civilization – it'due south all in your imagination.

Elementary triangle mountains step by stride

Yes, these are as unproblematic as they audio. Although it's simple, and probably a fashion you've tried before, this is the foundation of all other fashion of mountain you'll larn to draw. So please stick with me.

First have a triangle. And remove the lesser.

That's it.

Stupidly simple right?

However, this is so important I'm going to emphasize it fifty-fifty further with a stride by pace drawing. If y'all're bored, experience free to jump to the next section – How to create a mountain range.

How to draw mountains pace past step

Starting at number 1, describe a line up to number 2 and then continue dorsum downwards to number 3. It's the same procedure as cartoon the letter V but upside down.

Simple, merely important.

Creating a mount range

A mountain by itself is no proficient. The obvious thing here is to combine ii uncomplicated mountains like below…

Then add another, and another and keep on adding others until you lot become a mountain range you're happy with. Here's an instance of how simple triangle mountains can be formed into a mountain range that creates a basin.

A bowl created by adding multiple mountains together in a semi-circle.

Shading

To have the uncomplicated mountain further selection a side and draw shade. This will add depth and texture to your mount range.

How to draw mountains the ebook

So there you have it. In this guide you've learnt how to draw simple mountains for your map and and then connect them into a circuitous mountain range.

Yet, the mountains I've shown you here are more similar icons. They're dandy for representing mountains on a map, simply they don't look the greatest. If y'all really desire to brand you map look dandy then yous'll want to draw 3D mountains like the image below:

In my How to describe mountains ebook I take you step by footstep through two further styles of mountains. First a uncomplicated 3D mount range, information technology'south a stepping stone from the elementary mountain, to my realistic mountain range fashion as seen in a higher place.

When you lot purchase the ebook yous'll also receive my "Map Maker'southward Resource Kit" for free which is a pack of printable map newspaper.

The map paper will produce dandy hand outs for your players if you're a game main. Or they're dandy for printing out and including in your earth bible if y'all're an writer.

Vancano is the founder of the Worldbuilding School. It'due south his goal to make worldbuilding easier for the 1000's of people who build their own world - whether it's for fun or profit.