Cue the heartfelt Shire music. Today, we're talking about Lord of the Rings (or LOTR for short). When you think of Fantasy, this is probably top of the list.
So let's take a look at the three fantasy maps I've drawn in the LOTR universe so far: Middle Earth, a Part of the Shire, and Thror's Map to Erebor (The Lonely Mountain) passed on to Thorin Oakenshield.
"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early; he arrives precisely when he means to." — Gandalf
One Does Not Simply Draw a Map
One tells a story about said map.
The map of Middle Earth was the first I ever drew. It's what sparked my interest in cartography. About eight years ago, I got a huge piece of poster paper, dyed it with tea (which took much longer to dry than I would've liked), and drew Middle Earth in black ink pen.
It took FOREVER. Some of the coastlines were a bit wonky. It was difficult to get the layout just right and leave enough space for everything. But I did it! And I gifted it to my husband.
Years later, I now draw all of my fantasy maps digitally. Still by hand! But with a digital pen instead of a real one.
“There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.” — Samwise Gangee
Middle Earth
Middle Earth: a land thought up by J.R.R. Tolkien that stole the hearts of many a dwarf, elf, human, and hobbit. (The orcs couldn't be bothered to care about geography, unfortunately).
You've likely seen Middle Earth from little-known book tales (and films) such as:
The Hobbit
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
Without further ado:
“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.” — Galadriel
The Coziest Blanket in Middle Earth
Because I love LOTR so much, I also designed a fleece blanket with it. I have this blanket in my house, and it's such a nice, soft throw! Plus, it assures anyone who visits my house that I'm a nerd. (We wouldn't want them getting any wrong ideas).
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” — Gandalf
A Part of the Shire
Alas, I needed to zoom in a little further to the beloved home of the hobbits. I created this map in a more Tolkien-esque style to showcase a part of the Shire, including the North, East, South and West Farthing, and, of course, Hobbiton.
“Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.” – Bilbo Baggins
To the Lonely Mountain
Bilbo Baggins was thrown into an adventure with a bunch of dwarves thanks to Gandalf the wizard's meddling. Their journey took them to Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, wherein dwells the dragon Smaug.
This simple map has the cartoon vibes of The Hobbit novel.
Samwise Gamgee Ceramic Mug
I also created two mug options with an amazing quote from Samwise to Frodo. Do you have a preferred design?
"...The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually – their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on – and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same – like old Mr Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?"
Which design is your favourite?
Leaf
Frying Pan
My Precious!
If you're anything like me, you enjoy collecting maps to your hoard. And the ones from Lord of the Rings are so iconic, that they're often the first maps people start with in their cartography collection.
Remember, you can always order a custom map through my shop. Thanks for reading!
"Potatoes! Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew." — Samwise Gamgee
Comments