https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/Wed, 13 May 2026 23:58:06 +0000en-USSite-Server v@build.version@ (http://www.squarespace.com)Inns & Taverns Map Builder - Creating Interior MapsVideoJosh StolarzWed, 15 Oct 2025 17:09:09 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/inn-map-builder63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:68efd4a04aeeba3108cc47dbIn this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use the Inn & Tavern Map Builder in Procreate to quickly design hand-drawn interior maps for your next RPG campaign. Every brush, from walls, tables, swords, wizard staffs, rugs, and stables, were illustrated by hand so you get the classic fantasy map look without needing to learn how to draw. Perfect for dungeon masters who want to create a memorable environment for their players to explore.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Inns & Taverns Map Builder - Creating Interior MapsHow to Create a Desert City RPG MapVideoJosh StolarzFri, 20 Sep 2024 14:11:39 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/desert-city-infinite-painter63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:66ed817096d56048be443896In this video, I'll guide you through using the Desert Buildings Add-On Pack within Infinite Painter to create immersive desert-themed maps for your fantasy role-playing games. Whether you're a seasoned cartographer or a beginner, this tutorial will equip you with the skills to bring your desert adventures to life.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Create a Desert City RPG MapHow to Add Roads to City & Village MapsVideoJosh StolarzTue, 06 Aug 2024 22:28:53 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/city-map-roads63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:66b2a3a5260d884d7768f8c0Want to add some roads to your city map, but aren’t sure the best way to utilize the brushes included in The City Map Builder? In this quick tutorial, I’ll walk you through a method anyone can use on their maps.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • City Map Builder

    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Add Roads to City & Village MapsHow to Draw Mountain LakesVideoJosh StolarzFri, 22 Mar 2024 15:41:15 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/mountain-lake63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:65fc6ea1212a894f8f066fa0Lakes can be a great feature to include on your fantasy map as they become a focal point of the landscape where villages can pop up, or where commerce can flourish. But, how do you draw one tucked within the mountains and get the right perspective? In this drawing tutorial, I’ll walk you through my process so you can draw lakes of your own on your maps.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • Apprentice Brushes

    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Draw Mountain LakesPine Trees - How to Draw ConifersVideoJosh StolarzMon, 26 Feb 2024 17:47:28 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/trees-pine63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:65d4f8474c37514a54e5c3ddDo you want to draw pine trees on your fantasy maps? Using a variety of trees is a great way to convey something about the environment in which your story is taking place. In this tutorial, I will walk you through each step so you can easily draw trees like this for your map.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • Tree Add-On Pack
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    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Pine Trees - How to Draw ConifersCliffs - How to Draw in Top Down PerspectiveVideoJosh StolarzFri, 26 Jan 2024 14:06:22 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/cliffs-top-down-perspective63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:65b14a637d17096d8f7c0377Want to make the terrain on your fantasy city map stand out? Then drawing cliffs is a simple way to add depth and visual interest to the terrain. In this drawing tutorial, I'll walk you through how to easily draw cliffs in a top-down perspective.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Cliffs - How to Draw in Top Down PerspectiveCity Map Builder - Easily Map Your RPGVideoJosh StolarzFri, 08 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/city-map-builder63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6570a8c18645bb3e6050d976Learn how to use The City Map Builder to create maps for a city, village, or some other settlement that you can use in your next RPG campaign. If you love the classic hand-drawn style but feel intimidated about learning how to draw, this is a great option for you. With over 300 features, you will have everything you need to map amazing locations for your story that you can show off to your friends.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • City Map Builder
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    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>City Map Builder - Easily Map Your RPGCreate Dungeon Maps With a Hand-Drawn Style in a Few Easy ClicksVideoJosh StolarzSun, 22 Oct 2023 19:53:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/dungeon-map-builder-procreate-guide63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:654d46ce2705b42fb2ead068Do you want to create a classic hand-drawn dungeon map for your next rpg campaign, but you aren't very confident of your drawing skills? In this tutorial I'll walk you through how you can use the new Dungeon Map Builder by Map Effects to easily create a map for your dungeon environment with a few easy clicks and a bit of imagination!

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • Dungeon Map Builder
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    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Create Dungeon Maps With a Hand-Drawn Style in a Few Easy ClicksHow to Create Firelight on Dungeon Maps | Making Dynamic RPG LocationsVideoJosh StolarzSat, 21 Oct 2023 19:47:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/fire-light-dungeon-maps63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:654d45703b0a1c24321c8c2cIn this map making tutorial I'll show you a simple method to add some dynamic lighting on your next dungeon map for your role playing campaign. This technique is a straightforward way to add some moody lighting to your map, and can be done in the drawing app of your choice.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • Dungeon Map Builder
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    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Create Firelight on Dungeon Maps | Making Dynamic RPG Locations4 Tips for Adding Place Names to Fantasy MapsVideoJosh StolarzFri, 20 Oct 2023 12:36:08 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/place-names63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:65314a81d93cc672d87e2381Struggling to make the place names on your fantasy map readable? Do you need to start over or is there something you can do about it? In this tutorial I’ll be using the Legendarus Font to add some place names and walk you through some tips on how to clean up the place names on your map to make them easy to read, how to add them along a curve without Photoshop, and how to give your title some texture and interest.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>4 Tips for Adding Place Names to Fantasy MapsCreating Continents on Fantasy Maps | Texture Brush Method + FREE BrushVideoJosh StolarzFri, 20 Oct 2023 01:59:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/free-coastliner-brush63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:654d42077fb7644ddd79ae5dNot sure where to begin drawing your fantasy map and how to overcome the dreaded blank page? In this video, I'll walk you through how I like to quickly block in shapes for my coastlines and continents using my Free Coastliner Brush.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  • Coastliner Brush
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    Ipad Pro 11
    Apple Pencil - 2nd Generation
    Procreate App

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Creating Continents on Fantasy Maps | Texture Brush Method + FREE BrushA Simple Trick for Drawing Better MountainsVideoJosh StolarzFri, 20 Oct 2023 01:34:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/mountains-pyramids-not-triangles63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:654d3eca6d931e138a06dccd

When you begin drawing maps, there’s nothing wrong with starting with simple triangles for mountains…but you don’t need to stay there! Here is a simple trick to improve the mountains you're drawing on your fantasy maps. With this simple shift in your thinking, the mountains you draw will instantly have a lot more depth and dimension.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

  

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Full Video Library ]]>A Simple Trick for Drawing Better MountainsHow to Draw Rough Stone Walls for Your RPG MapVideoJosh StolarzFri, 20 Oct 2023 00:36:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/rough-stone-dungeon-walls63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:654d402c3b0a1c24321b1879There are so many ways to draw walls for a dungeon map, but if you want something that looks like it’s hand-made from uncut stone then this is the technique for you. This is great if you’re creating a map of a tomb or a cultic site for your next rpg campaign; anywhere you want a setting that feels ancient and lost to time. In this tutorial, I’ll break down the process so you can draw rough stone walls on your next dungeon map.

Let's Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Draw Rough Stone Walls for Your RPG MapGiving Depth to Coastlines - Making Your Coasts Stand OutVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:54:48 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/detailing-coastlines63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531c10742342e6b34ffc676In this tutorial you'll learn how to make the coastlines on your fantasy maps pop with some simple details. Regardless of your artistic ability, this method is easy to learn, and you'll be able to start using it on your own maps right away.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Giving Depth to Coastlines - Making Your Coasts Stand OutHow to Draw Jungles on Fantasy MapsVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:46:12 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/drawing-jungles63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531bf24de01e7410e9234a3It's one thing to draw a forest on your fantasy map, but what if you want to draw a jungle on the same map but have them still look distinct? In this tutorial, I will walk you through a simple method to draw jungles in an organic, impressionist style that works great for regional maps.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Draw Jungles on Fantasy MapsHow to Draw Forests on Fantasy MapsVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:42:01 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/drawing-impressionist-forests63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531bd2b56ab0f0bd6008b03In this tutorial, I'll walk you through one of my favorite methods for drawing forests on a fantasy map. This organic, impressionist style works great for world and regional maps for your RPG campaign or novel. Best of all, once you get a feel for it the technique is pretty simple to use, and much faster than some of the other methods for drawing trees.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Draw Forests on Fantasy MapsHow to Shade Oceans On Fantasy MapsVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:31:26 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/shading-oceans63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531bb4a3b37ac68e4b43327Let’s face it, on most fantasy maps the oceans are a bit neglected. It can be a challenge to make those large blank areas of your map interesting though so most of the time we resort to throwing in a compass, a few ships, and maybe a sea serpent. While there’s nothing wrong with adding some ships, in this tutorial I want to show you how to give your oceans & seas a little more character. Not only will you get a nice painterly texture, but this method is also a great way to hint at the topography just below the water’s surface.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>How to Shade Oceans On Fantasy MapsEasy Method for Shading Your Fantasy MapsVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:14:00 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/simple-shading63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531b6f68f3daf69a02635ff

Adding shading to your fantasy map brings a whole new level of depth and texture that can help your readers or players visualize the landscape you've created. But if you don’t consider yourself an “artist”, then the idea of shading might feel very overwhelming. Between what colors to use, light direction, and form, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Don't worry! In this beginner-friendly tutorial, I’ll walk you through an extremely simple method for shading your map that I am confident anyone can do; regardless of your perceived artistic abilities.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Easy Method for Shading Your Fantasy MapsDrawing Classic Mountains on your Fantasy MapVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 23:06:52 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/classic-fantasy-mountains63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531b4a470e53a74feaa1351In this fantasy map making tutorial, I want to walk you through how to draw a more classic style of for drawing mountains like you would see on the map of Middle Earth for Lord of the Rings. Plus, my own spin on that classic style to create something a little more unique.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Drawing Classic Mountains on your Fantasy MapEasy Way to Add Unique Borders to Your MapsVideoJosh StolarzThu, 19 Oct 2023 22:55:33 +0000https://www.mapeffects.co/video-tutorials/egyptian-effects-border-brush63d00bcc43aae3657868830b:6529a0861d7b10502abd8f7c:6531b245c6408833cb045567In this video I want to walk you through how to quickly add a unique border to your fantasy maps in Procreate. For this tutorial we’ll be using the Egyptian Effects add-on for the Map Effects Fantasy Map Builder, but you’ll find different border brushes in the main fantasy map builders, and other History themed add-on packs.

Where are all the fantasy worlds inspired by the rich histories of ancient Egypt? Perhaps no culture is more iconic than the Two Lands of the pharaohs where reality and legend are so closely joined. And yet, like a forgotten tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the opportunity to create an immersive fantasy story that honors this time and people in history has been largely untouched. Hopefully this will inspire your worldbuilding to create something inspired by this rich culture.

Let’s Start Mapping! - Josh

 

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Full Video Library ]]>Easy Way to Add Unique Borders to Your Maps