i would rather aim for the colors and lighting of your first concept rather than ones on the paintover. original painting has a good atmosphere, there's a vibe of mystery and desolation. current version makes me think of some happy disney castles instead. it's not just lighting but also the fancy forms that replaced the…
I'm getting a "Mad King Ludwig" vibe from the castle - not surprising considering the influence his castles have had on fantasy castles. Perhaps this is the work of a king who was evil AND mad... not generally a healthy combination for his subjects... At any rate, you might want to look at some of his castles for…