To date, I’ve created over a dozen different maps of various fantasy worlds, be they from movies, novels, or video games. Some are private commissions for fans, some are for gaming companies, and some simply for my own collection. Below are some of the more popular ones. I’m frequently working on more maps, and you can watch the creation process by joining me when I go live on twitch.tv.
Middle Earth
This is a map of Middle Earth, from J.R.R Tolkien’s “The Lord Of The Rings”.
The map is made entirely by hand, first burned and then painted with natural pigments using only bone and wood applicators, using fluid from deer eyes as a base for the paint. The “canvas” is a full hide of traditional brain-tanned buckskin.
Instead of cluttering the map with place names, I paint in the locations based on the author’s descriptions and other artists’ renditions. Its a painstaking process!
The Witcher 3: Northern Realms Map
This was a personal project that is for now, the most detailed and difficult piece I’ve made. It took nearly 300 hours of work and contains details so small I had to create specialized bone tools for.
The map compass alone is made of 5 different pieces of buckskin, as well as a striped maple ring.
Click on images for a larger version.
Beleriand
This is a map of Beleriand and the Lands to the West, based on J.R.R Tolkien’s Silmarillion.
I love being commissioned by subject-matter-experts, in this cas a Tolkien Scholar. So many little details and easter eggs went into this map, and that’s after compiling it from multiple other sources (some inaccurate). This map also pushed the limits when it comes to 3D elements, with every forest made of a separate piece of leather, cut, burned, painted, and glued onto the map. Even some of the mountains were cut away, and forests tucked behind them, for an extra 3D look.
Multiple homages to Tolkien himself were placed into the map, including the dedication’s background, the title, and compass, recreating some of his drawings and other designs.
Click on images for a larger version.
The Sword Coast
Another fun personal project.
I grew up playing Dungeons & Dragons, and still do. I spent many hours exploring the sword coast in games like Baldur’s Gate, and wanted to recreate this childhood memory.
A lot of research had to go into this one, to determine which locations to include and which to leave out, as well as what the various city sigils would look like.
I had a ton of fun making this one!
Click on images for a larger version.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
I arrived in Skyrim years too late, but once I did I knew immediately I had to make the map. I spent hundreds of hours exploring the mountains and valleys of this beautiful land, and this map is still one of my favorites I’ve ever made.
Click on images for a larger version.
Watch the “Making Of” video!
