When I sat down to tackle the Inktober prompt “castle,” I wanted to create something that captured the essence of castle architecture without being too literal. The first thing that came to mind was the battlement—those distinctive parapets with their rectangular gaps, designed for defense. This simple and recognisable design seemed like the perfect foundation for a simple optical illusion piece. I wanted viewers to feel a sense of depth and complexity, almost as if they were looking into a maze or a puzzle. The final piece turned out to be something I’m incredibly proud of, with its crisp contrasts and mesmerising design. It’s the kind of artwork that would definitely make a cool piece of wall art, something that draws you in and makes you look twice.
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
If I ever had the chance to change my name, I’d go with Muggins McGillicuddy. It’s a name that has a whimsical ring to it especially if I owned a castle and I think it would suit a thriving, successful artist perfectly. There’s something memorable and unique about it, just like I hope my artwork is. Creating art under the name Muggins McGillicuddy sounds like it would be a lot of fun, and it would certainly stand out in any gallery or art show.
Overall, this Inktober challenge pushed me to experiment and come up with a creation I never would have illustrated if it wasn’t for the prompt. In the end I’m thrilled with how my castle optical illusion turned out
Kids Book Illustrator Andy C Marshall 