Gates of Barovia - Behind the Scenes (Patreon)

So as I said in my main post I didn't have this image on my original list of locations because it is the one location in the book that has some beautiful artwork already. But, when I started thinking about my version I wanted a more realistic but equally impressive look.

As usual I start by looking for reference photos. And I start with the description.

Colour, tone, atmosphere, architecture, scale, lighting etc. I try to take key words from the description and then Google is your friend of course and searches such as medieval gate, forest gate, stone buttress, armed statues, headless statue. I save anything that sparks any kind of idea for me, and this stage is all about that, generating ideas. I want to tell as much of a story as I can in this one image so as many ideas I can come up with the better.

I really liked the colour tone and pallete of this image, so I used it for my main reference for these.

I liked these for architectural reference and the kinds of details in the wall that I want to add. I really liked the flying buttresses and shapes of some of the turrets and details in the wall itself. I want to add shapes and details to break up the flat surface of the stone wall.

So next step, into to Maya for some 3D modelling and lighting setup. Again very basic and this probably takes me an hour or 2. I found some free models of a knight, helmet, shield and trees that made it quite a bit easier. Turbosquid is my go to website.

Next step, take into photoshop and start blocking in colours, again I was using the reference image from above for most of my colour choices.

Then, paint, paint, paint.

I take this image into Nuke to then work on the animation. Originally I didn't have the flame torches in the image, and it was only once I started putting the mist and fog in the image that I felt like it need some other dynamic element. I tried adding rain but didn't think it fit that well, and then I thought back to my ravenloft castle image with the flame torches on the walls and thought that could look cool. And in my mind, because the description says the gates open on their own when the party approaches, I imaged the torches firing to life also when the party approaches. I like adding these little bit of details because I think it can give the DM an opportunity to add some more detail to their description that can hopefully add another layer of immersion to the game. Also adding the von zarovich crest in the wall above the gate is another one of these little easter egg details I enjoy ;)