Hi, I’m Dan!

I’m a freelance illustrative cartographer and avid wanderer from Essex, England.

Maps and drawing have been a part of my life from a very young age. My introduction into mapmaking came from a map my dad drew for me when I was 7 years old - A small island with patches of forest, a few hills, and sprinkled with a handful of small towns and landmarks all connected by a series of roads and trails. Looking at this map charged my imagination like nothing else!

My interest in maps grew through going to museums with my parents - developing a growing fascination with the highly ornate and intricately detailed maps of the Victorian and Edwardian eras - and reading books - particularly those in history books and fantasy novels that allowed the reader to keep track of historical events or follow a character’s epic journey across a continent.

I was also very fortunate to have grown up next to a forest, further feeding a desire for adventure and exploration. I would often intentionally try to get lost in the hopes of finding a hidden glade, or a rare critter.

As a self taught artist, I’ve always tried to find free time to develop my skills and experiment with different techniques and styles. But is wasn’t until 2019, after purchasing a set of fine liner pens from my local art shop, that I began pursuing a potential living as an illustrative cartographer. After spending a bit of time getting familiar with these pens, the amount of finesse you could create with them reminded me of the maps I had seen in the museums and books I read. I gradually found a style and tone that I felt was both unique and versatile, and also comfortable to experiment with if I wanted to try different concepts and ideas.

For me, a map is an invitation to adventure. To encourage one to go to the place they have never been , and to see the things they have never seen. They can foster mystery and intrigue, can be a guide to new experiences, and rekindle an almost child-like wonder and excitement that comes from beginning a new and uncertain journey.

My goal, and hope, is to create maps that will inspire people to explore.