Castle of the Forest

This started as a quick piece for photo-bashing practice but turned into somewhat of a creature/story concept. I used copyright-free photos for the photo-bashed portions, then painted over the seams and blended the colors. I thought the creatures could be semi-spirit beings that appeared in the thick fog. They represent the natural world, and the power that Mother Nature holds while remaining peaceful and watchful over the forest. The wall of mist that surrounds this region hides all from unfriendly eyes. The castle has been overgrown and claimed by the forest and has become a shelter for many, animals and humans alike. A small group of farmers have built some houses and a windmill on the water's edge; they maintain the lake and cultivate their small portion of land.