Description
Now that I’ve gotten halfway decent at using The Plant Factory I have turned my attention to another one of my helper programs; World Machine. World Machine allows for the creation of detailed landmasses with realistic erosion and texturing (going far beyond what Vue offers natively).
I’ve already created a few renders using World Machine (last year’s “Valley of the Sun“, “Valley of the Stars” and the “Cliffs” series) but now it’s time to go deeper.
I’m sure “Castlemere” will draw comparisons to “Highland Spring” (the elevated camera, the color scheme, etc) and that isn’t entirely unintentional. One big difference here is that I’ve populated the scene with deciduous vegetation (rather than evergreens) which will allow me to do a proper Autumn version when the time comes.
I hope you enjoy the new render. Let me know what you think!
drmwvrsquilts [lifer]
Thank you for adding the 3840×1080 files!
Ali [lifer]
I also like the dark leaves. Not every color needs to be bright or saturated. (also goes for Myriad, good job on that one, too)
I don’t blame you one bit for recycling the elevated camera. It has good potential.
Ryan
I’ve added new 3840×1200 and 3840×1080 files. Not sure what happened there!
Gregor [lifer]
Hi Ryan, the 3840×1200 link leads to an image only 3360×1050 in size. That causes the castle to be split right in the middle on my 1920×1200 screens. Could you please correct this issue?
KC [basicmember]
I want to love this (I really do love the picture!), but the 3840×1080 version splits the castle right down the middle. I may try grabbing the tri-screen and editing it to the dual screen size with the castle two inches to the right. Love the water though, looks like a glacial lake!
doc [lifer]
I have always liked castles on an island images and I really like this one, but to me the water is a bit too pristine, too clear ?.
Beausuff [nonmonthly]
Beautiful view…but can we get a “night” version?
Pippa [nonmonthly]
Reminds me of a remote Scottish castle
Pippa [nonmonthly]
Reminds me of a remote Scottish castle
Jenanne [liferplus]
Yep, the 3840×1200 is actually 3360×1050. Multiscreen definitely worth the wait!
horcruxhp [nonmonthly]
It was worth the wait. Thank you!
YBNorml [lifer]
Ryan, there seems to be something wrong with the rendering. I don’t think it’s at 1200.
Ryan
Let me know what you guys think of the multiscreen version. Sorry for the long wait!!
PentecostalGeek [nonmonthly]
I love the realistic lighting in this one. It feels like you’ve really climbed the mountain and are looking down. Great job! I would love a dualscreen version.
Jason [donormember]
I can see this one becoming one of my favorites. Now I just need it in multi-screen.
Dr ZUL [lifer]
The cloud covering and the haze in the distance looks great. I always love your fantasy renders. I agree with Maryann, a view from the castle would look good it that’s possible.
Maryann [liferplus]
I am in love with this.
But I’d also like to see, if your creative forces agree, a view from the castle, looking up at the mountains and clouds.
Davin [nonmonthly]
I love wandering the site. I will run across gems like this that I somehow missed when they originally were released. I’d love a closer perspective of this scene.
Tyler [lifer]
Would love a night version even more. The moon glistening off the water. C’mon Ryan get it boyee!
Andrew [lifer]
This may be my new all-time favorite! An autumn version should be killer.
sigmaman [lifer]
Nice one Ryan!
Kurt [plusmemberlifer]
Nice render. Other ideas: more closeup views of the castle, night versions.
Jonathan [lifer]
This reminds me of and I feel is right up there with my favorite of yours “Highland Spring”. If I were to have to choose a favorite between the 2 or die, I would be in trouble. I too would like to see seasonal versions, though I feel this has more of a Summertime look to me. The greens a darker than I would think for spring.
Overall 10
Owen [lifer]
I’d like to see an Autumn and Winter version of this, as seen from the air.
TheHoonigan [nonmonthly]
Would really like this to be a dual screen render so I can place on my desktop at work. Keep up the good work man!
Burnettery [lifer]
I really want this one in a triple screen render. This one looks amazing.
Jekin [lifer]
Wow! This went to my favourites right away. The Highland Spring vibe but also because I’m a sucker for castles and ruins. The foliage looks really good and the water is like an oil painting. Once Upon a Time from 2003 and Dracul are some of my favourites too. I hope you do more castles, ruins and statues be they on ground, underwater or where ever.
If I can make wishes… also some medieval style village or buildings, especially in night time would be nice (lamp posts!). Or just some town in a landscape with some fantasy vibe perhaps.
BobC [lifer]
The more I see this one, the more I like it! I like the handling of the clouds and, to me, they soften the lighting that was a bit harsh in the WIP sketch. What I REALLY like is that this seems like the spiritual and artistic heir to some of the earliest (1990’s) DB fantasy pieces that featured castles, valleys, and mountains. I had always hoped to see what could happen with your latest ideas and tools… and now, it seems, I get to!
Marlowe [plusmemberlifer]
I really love this one! I want to go there.
Laura [lifer]
Makes me think “so this is what’s above Nemo’s Garden!”
Susan [nonmonthly]
Especially the blue green colour you have in the middle of the scene. It stands out and really lifts the picture (the rest of the colours being more on the dull side).
Ty Lambert [nonmonthly]
Lovely work Ryan 🙂
I wonder if HBO will be in touch as it looks like you’ve got a good idea for some locations in GoT?
Mario Carini [basicmember]
Absolutely gorgeous! Stunning bview. The castle looks so isolated in the middle of the lake.
Magnus [lifer]
Can you post a version without the Clouds ?
Donna [liferplus]
This, as usual, is beautiful. I love the impression – at least to me – that the castle is moving out into the Loch. On purpose? The clouds a little perky for atmosphere? Your art is always beautiful, even the “pickle jar” versions! I’m waiting for that little “mystery” in this one.
This is the first time I’ve critiqued with actual suggestions! So proud!
Donna
Gardner [lifer]
Looks great! That being said, it is a tad bright for it to be a regular on my desktop. Any chance of a night or evening version, or maybe just with a bit less of the whiteness please?
rICHARD [lifer]
The best wallpaper since Highland Spring! This is amazing. Thank you!
BoDaddy [lifer]
After thinking it could look very cool if you can make a thunder storm (or something like that) coming in from the distance. Considering you have enough distance to the horizon you could play it as threatening weather type scene. Again love your work
BoDaddy [lifer]
Love the scene but I have to agree with Tom about the clouds. Maybe if the clouds had some transparency it may help? I hate to critique your work because it is always top notch but the clouds remind me more of a dense smoke than a cloud.
Tom [basicmember]
Too many clouds, otherwise really nice work.
Angelique [lifer]
If you plan to do any variations of the scene, could there be a cloudless version?
Angelique [lifer]
spectacular! this really does make me think of Highland Spring. I love the blue color at the edge of the water
Jeremy DaCosta [basicmember]
Mountains and Castles are my favorite and this is so cool!
Jenanne [liferplus]
I’m running out of appropriate adjectives; I’ve loved every one of your renders recently (and not so recently). I do agree with Lester D about the clouds covering the distant mountains — fewer would be better IMO — but it’s not that big of a deal. Terrific render, Ryan.
Littlemom [liferplus]
I really love this render except some of the clouds don’t look real to me. More like little cotton balls. But otherwise I love it.
Ryan
The 5K, 4K and UHD versions are available now. I really shouldn’t post these after midnight…
silverwolf [lifer]
Really like it. The autumn version is going to be stunning, I imagine.
Ryan
I really tried to develop my images for multiscreen first but 1) they took too long to render, esp when I wasn’t sure if they would be final or not, and 2) 3D programs act very oddly when the frame is so wide (pixels at the edges are wider than the ones in the middle!). I am working on the multiscreen for this one right now but in the meantime folks with 2 1080p monitors could easily use the UHD version to span both screens.
drmwvrsquilts [lifer]
This is really beautiful!! Would love to switch my background ASAP, but there are no multi-screen renders. 🙁
Rem [lifer]
Very nice but I need a 5120×2880
John [lifer]
One of the best ones you’ve ever done. Thank you!
lorwynd [nonmonthly]
Love it. Would be great to see a bigger castle, but I suppose that would be tough to balance with the amount and “height” of the landscape. Great stuff!
Zach [lifer]
WOW, this one looks really great as well! It seems like lately a lot of the beautiful scenes have been neglected in terms of multi-screen renders. 🙁 Hope this one doesn’t go by the wayside too.
Infirnex [lifer]
I love this! I can’t wait for the Autumn version. Do you plan on making a Winter version as well?
R [basicmember]
This is awesome! 😀
Nathan [liferplus]
I am blown away. switching my desktop background now.
Dennis [lifer]
Title says it all.
I love how I can come to this site and see all the really cool wallpapers and then, every once in a while, one will just grab me and say “Look! Look at this you fat sumbitch! THIS is what you would do if you could do this!” LoL
Seriously, this one really made me think “Wow!”
Schaff [nonmonthly]
Ryan, What a nice, nice render. Sort of gives you a mystical, fantasy feel.
someone31988 [lifer]
This one is pretty awesome! Once there is a dual monitor version, I’ll be using it on my work computer. The only criticism I have is of the erosion textures around the castle under the water and near the shore. They seem pretty low res and remind me of low res textures in a video game that you see before the higher resolution ones load.
WiDoW [plusmember]
Being a hiker, this is the view I aspire to reach. Love the reflections of the clouds and the turquois shore edgings.
betsett [lifer]
BUT…I need an 1152×854 render!!
Eric [lifer]
Truly amazing. I saw similar things in real life when I visited Scotland last summer! Very realistic!
Ryan [nonmonthly]
This picture has some of my favorite aspects of your work. The long draw distances with the colors of the water and the valley make this image a perfect 10.
Ozaawaagos [nonmonthly]
This is Bloody AWESOME, perfect the way it is. Great Job My Friend
Halfwolf [lifer]
Is a triple monitor version coming? I have seen several releases lately that don’t seem to have 5760 x 1080. Maybe they were older scenes but this one is not.
Lester D [lifer]
Love this one. Maybe less clouds in the distance? I love looking into a clear horizon.
Falkor [guardianmemberlifer]
This is incredible… Obviously, many of us would like to see a night version along with seasons.. Please keep doing what you do!
Lance [nonmonthly]
The depth and natural fading of all the colors impresses me.
It all comes together to give this image great composition and realism. I’d like to see what the castle has to offer us!
Excellent work Ryan!
docster [basicmember]
I like this one a lot, Ryan, but have yet to get past the layered-look of the clouds, which also suffer from a minimal amount of depth. YMMV, of course.