Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence

A course by Stef Maden, Designer and Illustrator

Designer and Illustrator. England, United Kingdom.
Joined August 2020
99% positive reviews (268)
6,625 students
Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish

Create an illustrated map to represent iconic places of a city using manual techniques and digital collage

The art of map illustration has the power to take us back to a place we love and depict our memories in an original way. Illustrator Stef Maden’s work is highly inspired by her travels. For Stef, illustrating maps is a way of piecing together her serendipitous experiences and decorating a space with unforgettable mementos.

In this course, Stef shows you how to create original maps using watercolors, gouache, and Photoshop. With her step-by-step method, you’ll be able to create your own original keepsakes inspired by the places you love, learn new techniques for illustrating with paint, and build a colorful digital collage.

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What will you learn in this online course?

19 lessons & 16 downloads

What Is a Map
9 minutes, 54 seconds
Materials
5 minutes, 52 seconds
Draft
13 minutes, 19 seconds
Elements 1
15 minutes, 41 seconds
Elements 2
17 minutes, 4 seconds

What's included in this course?

Meet Stef, learn about her experience as an artist and designer, and see some of her work. Discover the artists and illustrators that inspire her and find out what you’ll learn in the course.

Begin the second unit by analyzing different types of maps and seeing the elements you can include in your own map. Find the place you want to illustrate and gather references of your chosen city. Stef finishes the unit by discussing the types of materials you can use for your illustration.

Time to get started on your map! Choose the right size for your artwork and decide which elements to include. Follow Stef’s tips and tricks for illustrating your elements with watercolor and gouache. See how to create textures and add these to your textures library in Photoshop, along with all your other hand-painted elements. Compose your map in Photoshop following Stef’s step-by-step method.

Learn how to save your file for different uses and formats, see the types of paper Stef recommends for printing, and frame your illustration so it’s ready to hang. Finally, learn how to photograph your work and share it on Instagram with Stef’s recommendations for lighting and flat-lay styling.

  • 99% positive reviews (268)
  • 6,625 students
  • 19 lessons (3h 19m)
  • 16 additional resources (5 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
  • English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Create an illustrated map of your favorite city featuring various points of interest.

Final project for Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

This course is for those interested in creating an illustrated map using both manual and digital techniques.

Requirements and materials

To take this course you need basic knowledge of Photoshop, painting with watercolors, and drawing.

As for materials, you will need pencils, an eraser, gouache paints, watercolor paints, colored pencils, watercolor paper, and a computer with Adobe Photoshop.

Requirements and materials for Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence

Reviews

6,625 Students
268 Reviews

Stef Maden

Stef Maden
A course by Stef Maden

Teacher Plus
Designer and Illustrator

Stef Maden is a designer and illustrator from the UK who discovered her passion for illustration as a teenager, realizing soon after that her dream job was to become an illustrator. Since obtaining her degree in illustration, Stef has worked as an in-house designer for greeting card companies and created artwork for products like gift bags, wrapping paper, packaging, and stationery

Her recent illustration projects include patterns for children’s clothing and editorial work for magazines. Stef’s prints can be found in her online shop, as well as for clients such as Sainsbury's, Hallmark, Paperchase, and Tesco.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • Presentation
    • Influences
    • What Will We Do in This Course?
  • U2

    Preparation

    • What Is a Map
    • Choose a Place
    • Materials
  • U3

    Creating the Map

    • Draft
    • Elements 1
    • Elements 2
    • Elements 3
    • Elements 4
    • Textures
    • Compose the Map 1
    • Compose the Map 2
    • Compose the Map 3
    • Compose the Map 4
  • U4

    Presenting Your Artwork

    • Final Touches - Getting Ready for Print
    • Printing and Framing
    • Sharing Online
  • FP

    Final project

    • Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates

    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs


Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence. Illustration course by Stef Maden

Illustrated Map Creation: Reflecting a City's Essence

A course by Stef Maden
Designer and Illustrator. England, United Kingdom.
Joined August 2020
  • 99% positive reviews (268)
  • 6,625 students