illustrated map

Wood Lands Map

| terriaw

There’s always a big list of ideas to draw, brewing in my head. My husband recently suggested I draw a map. Which I jumped on right away. I love looking at maps!

This illustration project was a lot of fun to play make believe and dream up a new wood lands.

Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm

I started out with a version in my sketchbook using colored pencils. I loved it so much I did a second version on Arches paper with watercolor paints so I could have it as a stand-alone print.

Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm

This illustrated map is full of deer grazing in a clover meadow, fox and raccoons drinking from a river, bunnies romping among the trees, squirrels hanging out in their tree hollow, turkeys chasing each other, bear surveying the woods where their secret den is. There’s also a crow and hawk flying overhead.

Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm
Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm
Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm
Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm
Woodlands map by Terri Wilhelm

Fallen logs allow for crossing the river and tracks help you make your way on the trail. A couple run-down outbuildings might be a good spot to rest and have a picnic.

January’s great illustration project was all about Stargazing, February was all about this woodlands illustration map. Stay tuned for next month’s great illustration project!

Roxy’s Forest Illustrated Map

| terriaw

Since I love to read and illustrate maps, I knew immediately wanted to do a map for the end pages of my first picture book.

Each book comes with an art print insert of the illustrated map of Roxy’s forest adventures.

I always start my illustrations with a thumbnail sketch and then a pencil drawing, which is actually my favorite part of the process. I just really love to draw! My concept was to draw the map from left to right as the story takes place, traveling across the spread.

The next step is to transfer the drawing to watercolor paper and paint it, which is my next favorite thing to do.

Each of the books in this Daisy Books series will have an illustrated map printed on the end pages showing the location of the story’s adventures. I’m excited to see the future books and future maps all together on a bookshelf!