That good paint program you got in step 1 should know how to do this. Recommended reading Edward Tufte 's books, such as Envisioning Information , will teach you how to create images that are elegant as well as useful. It contains plenty of methodical tips for the beginning artist, and plenty of interest to the more experienced artist. There are many beautiful maps, but few that are more effective or fascinating than those of Colin McEvedy 's Penguin historical atlases. Instead of showing various ancient empires at their heights, he shows an entire continent at intervals of a century or so.
Nothing gives a better sense of the outlines of history, and the ebb and flow of nations.
So, read European comics instead.