Before shaping the terrain, I explored three compositions through sketches. The first placed a castle high in the snowy mountains, with a green courtyard at its center. The second framed distant snow-covered peaks between two tall walls. The third positioned the castle and its surrounding walls at the foot of the mountains. Based on the assets available, I chose the third option.
在开始设计地形之前，我先通过草图探索了三种构图：第一种是在雪山上建造城堡，中庭保留一片绿地；第二种是从两侧高墙之间望向远处的雪山；第三种则是将城堡与城墙布置在雪山脚下。结合现有的场景资产，我最终选择了第三种方案。
The scene centers on the entrance to a fortified city. Walls on either side enclose a narrow valley, while the river, architecture, and vegetation guide the viewer’s eye toward the gate and an expedition returning to the city. Golden foliage, cool-toned water, and gray stone buildings establish the atmosphere of autumn in Northern Europe.
场景围绕一座城池的入口展开。两侧城墙围合出狭长的谷地，河流、城墙与植被共同形成视觉引导，将观众的视线带向城门，以及刚刚从城外归来的探险队伍。金色的植被、冷色的水面与灰色的石砌建筑相互衬托，营造出北欧秋季的氛围。
I wanted this environment to suggest a story about exploration, glory, and homecoming. The flags planted along the grassy slopes are mementos left by returning expedition teams. The kingdom’s prosperity and glory are built on the rewards of these journeys, and the flags make the explorers’ stories part of the landscape itself.
我希望这个场景讲述一个关于探险、荣耀与归家的故事。草地坡道上的旗帜，是每支探险队伍归来时留下的纪念。对这个王国而言，繁荣与荣光建立在一次次远行的收获之上；这些旗帜也让探险者的经历成为城池景观的一部分。
image effect by ChatGPT
The winding stream flowing out through the city gate represents a connection to home. Even when travelers can no longer see the city walls, finding the river means they can still find their way back. I wanted the river to guide the viewer through the composition while also connecting the idea of exploration with a sense of belonging.
蜿蜒流出城门的小溪，则承载着人们对家的认知。即使远行之后，城墙已经消失在视线之外，只要还能找到这条河，就能沿着它找到回家的方向。我希望河流既能引导画面中的视线，也能成为连接探险与归属感的线索。
To build the scene, I started with a blockout based on my sketches, establishing the positions and proportions of the walls, gate, and riverbed. I then sculpted the terrain to shape the valley and grassy slopes. As the environment developed, I adjusted the atmospheric fog and sunlight angle to create depth between the foreground, architecture, and distant mountains, while keeping the visual focus on the gate and the returning expedition.
制作时，我先根据草图搭建 Blockout，确定城墙、城门与河道的位置，以及各部分之间的空间比例，再逐步雕刻地形，塑造谷地和草坡的起伏。在完善场景的过程中，我也不断调整大气雾与阳光角度，让远山、建筑和前景形成清晰的层次，并将最终的视觉焦点保持在城门与归来的队伍上。
blockout
