December 2016 Challenge : Castle Siege

[- JO -]

Hi !

Back on hollydays... so... why not mapping again ?

I've probably no idea what I'm throwing myself in, but drawing a castle siege was pretty much my main occupation through high scool... So... I couldn't resist.

I won't fellow any style in particular... just draw the way I was used to : A3 paper, pencil and then black ink. It won't be professional at all, but I ate too much chocolate to feel any shame at that moment (it'll come later, when the sugar rate will go down... though it's the high chocolate season here... it won't go down for a while)

So, better throw myself in before I back up... Here's the first quick sketch...
I'll try to tell the story from left to right :
1) arrival on the beach, disembarkment
2) take the fortified bridge
3) cut some trees
4) build a camp and some siege machines
5) first attempt on the gate : failure
6) dig a mine under the walls
7) wall collapse. First defense down
8 ) sneak in the tower's toilets by night, open the main gate
9) castle is taken... the occupants try to flee by the sea
10) the fleet intercept the fugitives... (sad) end of the story

Here's what it could be in drawing :

### LATEST WIP ###

[Ilanthar]

Welcome to the challenge, Jo !
It seems to me that you have a good start and nice story line.

Beware the chocolate falls this season .

[- JO -]

Thank you !

It is particularly difficult these days: there is a tradition in Geneva: it is the commemoration of a battle that took place in 1602, during which a resident of the city threw a pot on the head of an assailant. And since, every year, chocolate makers make chocolate pots with marzipan vegetables ... Irresistible .. alas!

here's what I'm talking about :



So... to keep my mind out of this, I did most of the inking of the landscape today....



Here's the ### LATEST WIP ###

Can't wait to draw the castle !

[Tonnichiwa]

This is looking great!...love the story about the pot being thrown.

[- JO -]

Thanks...

The story of the pot seems to be a true one... along with other little stories of this battle. Like the one where a woman was so afraid of the invaders that she moved her cupboard in front of her appartment door. And in the morning, once the rush gone, she couldn't move it back. Some men had to pass through her window to help her move the furniture out of the way.

Anyway, I draw the bridge and half of the first wall of the castle... Here's the ### LATEST WIP ###

[ThomasR]

Wow Joel, that's impressive ! Do you plan on keeping it black & white ? I'd really want to see it colored !

[- JO -]

Thanks Thomrey !

I've drawn many of these scenes in black and white, but I've never tried to colour it... So, first I'll finish the ink, the I'll try the shadows, and then, it I've got time, I'll give a try for the colour... but for now, I've no ideas which way to go : more like comics books ? more realistic ?... I don't know..

[ThomasR]

I guess the background texture you'll choose will guide you. Watercolor would be nice.

[Ilanthar]

Great map already! The level of details is excellent and that fortified bridge is gorgeous.

[Straf]

Woah! I'd hate to have to pillage this place. First of all there's the bridge, if you get past the first barbican without doing a very convincing impression of a porcupine with feathers. With two steep spans and a lovely little slaughter platform in the middle, a small band of well prepared archers could make mincemeat of a well equipped army. Any getting past the second barbican are likely to get their backs air conditioned from the tower windows. You may think you're out of the woods then but it's what's coming out of the woods you have to look out for, guerillas guerring for their lives (and yours!)

This would be an assault of epic proportions just to even get to the gate. It has so much potential. I imagine a story rich with espionage, sabotage and lots of other ages in dark cloaks and deep hoods.

I'm looking forward to seeing more