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Built4ever β Castle and Village Number One
Published: 2012-10-25 18:07:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 52627; Favourites: 1796; Downloads: 138
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Description
This is my first shot at trying to design a castle. I tried to imagine a tiny village and castle surrounded by fortifications, turrets, huge walls and sloping buttresses, all perched up on a mountain top, with some kind of access road leading up to it. There's a fortified gate entrance, which allows you into the interior courtyard, where the majority of the village is accessible, and then there's some steps and another gate which leads to the castle entrance and upper terrace. Of course, the style is medieval, based on European castles in general, and includes massive stonework, oriel windows, turrets, corbels, half-timbered lower and upper stories, tile and slate roofs, and tall chimneys. I did this over an extended lunch hour. It took about an hour and a half for the original sketch (Note: next version has at least 3 hours of extra time on it, and about three more hours for the plan, so more like 8 hours total now as you see it). Meanwhile, I hope I satisfied the dozens of people that have asked me about doing this sort of stuff, especially for gaming purposes. I've been meaning to "open up the throttle" and try over-the-top fantastic architecture with no limitations at all for a long long time. I'm sure I'll be doing more of these. Frankly, they're very enjoyable to do. Enjoy, and let me know what you think. Note: File Changed on Oct 30, 2012.Other links Featuring Castle One:
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Comments: 197
I love this! Is there a way for you to give floor plans for the houses?
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I asked this else were but did you ever come up with the floor plan.Β
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Not really, not yet. I did SOME elevation studies but it's on the back burner right now.
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Cool work, I have a question, so did you draw the sketch and the plan, or only the plan?
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HMMM?? Not sure what you mean. I drew both the view of the castle and the site plan, pencil to paper. Is that what you are asking?
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Yes. Just was a bit confused because the view of the castle has the credit for the artist below it then the site plan doesnt have any artist name associated to it. It's obvious you drew the site plan but I was unsure if you drew the original castle also or used a drawing from another person. Now I am impressed by how fast you did both also and the artistic beauty of the layout also!
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Thanks, glad you like it. Yeah, "matching" the site plan to the original concept is not easy. Also, check gallery for a very good 3D model/color rendering done off this original sketch by another guy in Ukraine, in the castles gallery folder.
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I saw this on pinterest and the lines and the sketching style was so beautiful. This is one of my favorite pieces you have here. This makes me wish for artistic talent. Keep up the fantastic work.
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Thanks, just keep practicing.
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Very excellent! You might think I'm exaggerated but no words can express how I admire all of your works. So amazing!
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Thank you my dear, glad you like!
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I LOVE this! I'm an aspiring fantasy novelist and this is inspiring as well as educational. Thanks!
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Write a story about it. "Once upon a time, there was an elf named Igor, who lived in a really really big house..."
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I might some day 
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That's as big as it gets! My original drawings are very small.
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This is how I'd want any illustrations in my own RPG books to look. Absolutely love the mood and the maps.
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Have you ever thought of doing a whole town?
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Intellectually driven imaginings. Beautiful work!
What would you say has been most valuable in your development as a designer and being able to draw as you do?
I love the earthy paper, reminds me of Leonardo's sketchbooks
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Drawing and designing are slightly different. Many yrs ago I drew old houses from the sidewalk, on site. That was important. As far as design, looking at old stuff and redesigning it, changing it, understanding proportions, practicing drawing elevations (hundreds), and very important, understanding structure, for example, how does the roof overhang structure in a gable work, especially brackets, bargeboards vents, roof sheathing, etc.
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I'll keep it short and say you've taken my breath away. Nice, neat and cosy. A think I would use to my DnD sessions. Wonderful and Fable-like.
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Thanks, nice words to hear...
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I particularly appreciate the inclusion of the plan view with topographical relative altitude lines.
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Yes, similar to the real deal. I've had to work off topo maps before for real designs. Rather tricky. You always visit the site to see it in reality.
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May I offer some translation services free of charge?
That is if you really want it to have some german titles / descriptions in it. Otherwise just ignore this:
- If you mean the "Tower" to be the large last defence where the families and important people are hidden in case of an enemy breaking the outer walls it should be labeled "Der Burgfried" or just "Burgfried" since it's very rare on maps (even historical ones I know) to add an article in front of some buildings description.
- "Der Little Haus" would be "Das kleine Haus" or simplified "Kleines Haus". Maybe you'd want to change it to "Kleine Halle" which would be more of a meeting room (one large open room with maybe some smaller additional ones to the side).
- "Der Big Haus" would translate to "Das groΓe Haus" or just "GroΓes Haus". This one would surely qualify for the nomiker "GroΓe Halle" since every castle needs a large hall for festivities or as an emergency sick bay.
I'll gladly translate the other names, too. These where just the ones that drew my attention and made me cringe a little
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Yes, I admit, it's horrible! But also, slightly humorous and cute. We regularly butchered French like this in our household when I was growing up. I also have to sort out ACTUAL FUNCTIONS of these buildings depending on what purpose this castle serves. The big and little houses are almost the same size. Not sure about the semi-circular courtyard either. What is difference between "das" and "der?" Gross and klein are really already knew. Never heard burgfried. To an American, it sounds like food. "The Tower of Fast Food!!" What about naming this castle complex? Something about mountain fortress? Or? Any ideas?
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Ah, deliberate naming
Well, speaking of functions I thought you would have a plan of them in mind. Never thought anyone could make such a believable plan or drawing of a castle complex without giving thought about the what-for of the buildings. Congratulations!
"Das", "die" and "der" are different articles used depending on the noun they refer to being classified...
as neutral (the boat would be an example -> das Boot)
female (the cliff would be die Klippe)
or male (the waiter as example here -> der Kellner. Sorry for everyone serving that role who feels attacked by being my example).
Doesn't make too much sense if you're not grown up using it, I guess.
Burgfried. Yeah, one piece of fried Burg please! I see the possible confusion
As a whole I'd say this would definitely qualify to be named "Bergfeste".
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HMMMM That sounds better. Town celebration or something? Flows well, easy to say.
Yes, I often work backwards and envision buildings in 3D first, THEN work on plans. There is no specific plan for this, thus the big and little house will certainly be changed to reflect a function. I could make this a 60 million dollar private residence, with an elevator in the tower, and reinforced concrete lower foundations and retaining walls. OR, I could make this a 19th century Baron's residence with tiny village at bottom. OR, ??? Functions would change drastically. Thanks for help.
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OK, Town celebration got me thinking for a moment, then laughing.
Berg -> mountain
feste -> well, it's an old and shortened word for fortress which would translate to Festung. And since even our greatgreatgreatsomethinggrandfathers were kinda lazy they shortened the "Bergfestung" to Bergfeste.
I guess "feste" got translated like the word "Fest" which indeed is a celebration or party
If you build a 60 million home out of this I'd happily come to explore it.
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25 dollars entry fee. Park at the bottom and take the shuttle up. Dogs are okay.
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$25 entry with dogs allowed? That's almost free admission! Where was it again?
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It's in SimulationLand, on the internet. Just imagine you're pulling up in the parking lot in your simulationcar, and come on up!
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OK, I know where that is!
Now all I need is about a year of free time and my minecraft
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Somebody needs to make this out of Legos. I saw fabulous Lego castles on the internet yesterday.
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That might have a bigger chance of seeing completion.
But where do I get the necessary stones?
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Your simulated BMW, sorry. Trivia: I live right near the BMW plant here in South Caolina. I love BMWs.
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You must be winning fans like hell in the roleplaying arena. ;D
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Honestly I'm getting a lot of requests for game design, concept designs for stories, etc.
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Good for you mate. Ride the wave
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I can ride a skateboard. NEVER DID SURF.
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I can't do any of those, it was a metaphore, jeje
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Brilliant addition to the village drawing! I have a question if I may, since the wordings a little small on the screen, what is the large platform behind the tower to the south-west?
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