This original pen and ink artwork is inspired by the spectacular Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in the Dordogne, France. Perched on a hill above the medieval village and overlooking the Dordogne River, it is exactly the sort of scene that appeals to a landscape artist.
I couldn't resist putting my own twist on it, though.
During my visit, I was amused by the local shops selling plastic knights in armour, wooden swords and all manner of medieval souvenirs. Somehow, those rather less-than-authentic reminders of the Middle Ages planted an idea that I couldn't shake: what if a dragon really was attacking the castle?
And so the picturesque French landscape became a fantasy battlefield.
A huge dragon breathes fire towards Castelnaud Castle while, below, the villagers are no longer selling souvenirs to tourists. Instead, they are defending their medieval town against an invading army from behind protective walls. The additional defensive structures are, I admit, entirely there for dramatic and visual effect.
The result is a mixture of real French landscape and medieval architecture with pure fantasy, transforming an idyllic Dordogne scene into something far more dramatic.
And I have to confess one final thing...
I came home with a plastic knight.
 
Subject: Castelnaud Castle and medieval village with Dragon
Medium: Ink pen and ink wash
Surface: Bristol 500 smooth paper
Image size: 56x40cm
Framed: No
Original: Yes
Certificate of Authentication: Yes
Artist: Graham McKenzie-Smith