How to Create an Authentic Oregon Trail Map: Step-by-Step Drawing Tutorial - Part Two

To follow on from my first tutorial I am going to show you how to add embelishments to a map to make it more visually appealing. We will be building upon my previous tutorial so if you haven't completed that It can be found HERE.

For these tutorials you will need:

Pencil and Pencil Sharpener/Craft Knife or a Pen (with a fine nib, fineliner, biro, ballpoint pen etc)

You don't have to follow this tutorial closely, you can add different points of interest, use different fonts and draw different images to what I have done. But I would advise you to still have the gridlines from the previous tutorial as it will make it easier to either copy what I have drawn or to add your own embelishments.

Step 1.

We are going to add points of interest along the route of the Oregon Trail. Feel free to add whichever points of interest you like.

Points Of Interest

Step 2.

Next we are going to add the border. this helps define the map and adds a dark contrast to the line work of the map.

Map Border

Step 3.

Next I added the water. I have the sea and the great lakes heading off the edge of the map, you don't have to do this but I think it breaks up the outer structure of the map and shows that there is something beyond what you are drawing.

Water

Step 4.

We are going to add in the state names that the Oregon Trail passed through and near. You can copy what I have done below, but feel free to use whatever type of font you like.

States

Step 5.

The Oregon Trail crosses the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range of mountains, so we need to add those in. If you copy what I have drawn and use the gridlines to help you this will be easier.

Mountains

Step 6.

These next two steps are where you can get creative and add what you like. The first thing I have added is the title of the map and the length of the Oregon Trail. You can copy what I have done come up with your own embelishment.

Title

Step 7.

I like to add an image relating to what I am drawing into some of my maps and I have chosen to do that here. I have chosen Chimney rock but you could coose anything along the trail, or even an image of the people who used the trail.

Chimney Rock

That is a basic guide on how I turn a linework map into a piece of art. I hope you found it helpful. I have a digital download of my Oregon Trail map for sale HERE.