How To Draw Deserts On A Map

03-08-2013,05:35 PM

I've been drawing maps as an amateur since I was 12 years one-time. One of my biggest challenges when designing a world map is the desert regions. I'm always happy with the look of my mountains, water, trees, towns, ect. Simply my Deserts just don't wait right.

Here's and example of how I practise Mountains Vs. Dunes:
(Image DISCLAIMER: It's A quick draft i made at work to show an instance)

I try to make little dunes but y'all see what I hateful information technology doesn't take the right Individual Feel to it.

Whatsoever tips or tricks I should implement when drawing Deserts?

03-08-2013,06:06 PM

I think the problem is on the dunes "edge" . Making them more curvy would probably do the thing.

03-08-2013,06:19 PM

One thing to consider is that only nigh 20% of desert area consists of "ergs" with lots of sand and dunes. Likewise that there are "desert pavement", bare rock, dried mud, salt pans, or ice caps. A particular desert may well contain several different landscapes.

I've used various stipple patterns, sometimes mixing small circles with the dots. I've also constitute that a sort of flattened stipple with horizontal lines tin can work well.

03-08-2013,06:23 PM

Looks like you demand more variation I suppose. Rather than a continuous pile of single dunes, mix information technology upward a little, don't pack them too shut together, and add together mayhap one of 2 other picayune deserty features if advisable. That should intermission up the duney monotony.

*edit* what Hai-Etlik said. Add a few icons of those features too. Information technology'll notwithstanding look like desert but it won't look similar a continuous repeating dune symbol.

03-08-2013,06:58 PM

Cheers so much for the advice. The curvy lines work style better! Its amazing how crazy a simple step can make such a difference.

I don't understand the small circles Hai-Etlik is telling me to endeavor, but i don't know what hes saying 100%. Thanks for the advice though. I always forget virtually deserts having different things so but... HUGE tracks of sand.

Heres my quick draw at work from your advice:

LARB: the dunes all the manner to the correct expect awesome, and the ones at the bottom middle. Plus the oasis with a few scattered cacti arrive seem correct. I drew the case before I saw you lot replied.