One of the best fictional landscapes is Middle - earth from J.R.R. Tolkien's works. It has vast mountains like the Misty Mountains, lush forests such as Fangorn Forest, and beautiful meadows. Another great one is Narnia in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. With its snowy landscapes in the north and the idyllic meadows and castles in other parts. And of course, we can't forget the fictional world of Westeros in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which has diverse landscapes from the frozen North to the warm and fertile Reach.
In 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', Rivendell is a beautiful fictional landscape. It's a valley filled with waterfalls, lush greenery, and elegant elven architecture. The Forbidden Planet in the movie of the same name has a very distinct landscape too. It's a desolate but strangely beautiful world with ancient ruins. Also, in H.G. Wells' 'The War of the Worlds', the Martian landscapes are described in a very vivid way, with their red deserts and strange alien structures.
To draw landscapes in fiction well, you need to have a good imagination. Think about the mood and atmosphere you want to convey. Also, practice different techniques like shading and perspective to make the landscape look more realistic and immersive.
In science fiction, alien landscapes are often depicted as extremely strange and otherworldly. They might have multiple suns or moons, resulting in unique lighting conditions. For example, in some stories, the landscape could be a desolate, red - sand desert with huge, jagged rock formations jutting out everywhere, and strange, glowing plants that are nothing like the flora on Earth.
One common element is unusual terrain. It could be floating islands, like in some fantasy - influenced sci - fi, or landscapes made of a single, continuous substance like a world of pure metal. Another is strange weather. For instance, acid rain or perpetual lightning storms.
First, observe the real landscape carefully. Notice the colors, the shapes of the mountains or trees, and the way the light falls. This will help you capture the essence when you paint.
Literary landscapes maps from fiction can be very interesting. They help readers visualize the settings described in the stories. For example, in 'Lord of the Rings', a map of Middle - earth gives a clear picture of the various regions like the Shire, Mordor etc. It adds to the overall atmosphere and understanding of the fictional world.
First, you need to thoroughly read the fiction work to understand all the described locations. Then, start by sketching out the main areas. For example, if it's a story set in a small town, mark the important places like the main street, the school, and the characters' houses.
The real stories of landscapes often involve the people who lived there. In some rural landscapes, there could be stories of farming families who have worked the land for generations. Their traditions, struggles, and joys are all part of the landscape's story. And natural events like floods or droughts that affected the area over time are also part of it.