Gallery: 20 Bizarre Fantasy Worlds, Done as Amazing Watercolors

  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Land Plant Ocean Water and Sea
    01

    tristram-the-encyclops

    Lansdowne says he envisioned *The Encyclops* as a meteorological research station. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Land Shoreline Water Ocean Sea Coast and Island
    02

    tristram-Kleptoparasitic-Orphan-18x20

    *Kleptoparasitic Orphan*. Many of the structures in Lansdowne's paintings are inspired by the architecture he sees in real life. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Scenery Housing Building Land Water Shoreline Sea Ocean and Monastery
    03

    tristram-Axis-Mundi-2012-44x33-inches

    *Axis Mundi* draws inspiration from Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67 complex in Montreal. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Pollution Building Nature and Outdoors
    04

    tristram-Beacon-2012-20.5x22-inches

    *Beacon*. Lansdowne says his inspriations are natural history illustrations, scientific diagrams, modernist and utopian architecture, as well as the history of landscape painting. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Art
    05

    tristram-Precipice-14x18-inches-2012

    *Precipice*. Most of Lansdowne's paintings begin as sketches. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Water Outdoors Land Nature Fountain Sea and Ocean
    06

    tristram-Ultra-High-Island-w.c.-on-paper-28x30.5

    *Ultra High Island*. He then paints watercolors into lush pastel palettes. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Mountain Building Architecture Land and Castle
    07

    tristram-typus-montis-ventris-smallfile

    *Typus Montis Ventris* is one of Lansdowne's older paintings. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Plant Tree Vegetation Outdoors Nature House Cottage Housing Building Conifer and Land
    08

    tristram-Lansdowne-The-Nurse-2011-40x30.5

    *The Nurse*. His past work used to be more architecturally focused, but lately he's been focusing more on painting lush, tropical plant life. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Building Countryside and Mountain
    09

    tristram-Lansdowne-Observatory-33-by-28.5-2010

    *Observatory*. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Ice Architecture and Building
    10

    tris-Lansdowne-Hermetic-Island-34-by-43.5-2010

    *Hermetic Island*, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Water Land Plant Grass Tree and Vegetation
    11

    tris-Lansdowne-Island-18-by-40-2010

    *Island*, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Outdoors Ice Nature Water and Snow
    12

    tris-Lansdowne-Untitled-43-by-28-2010

    Untitled, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Art and Drawing
    13

    tris-semi-detached

    *Semi-Detached*, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Plant Tree Tree Trunk Potted Plant Pottery Jar and Vase
    14

    tris-Lansdowne-After-the-Storm-53-by-43-2010

    *After the Storm*, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Box
    15

    tris-Untitled-2009-36-by-491

    Untitled, 2009. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Soil Archaeology Animal and Fish
    Biodiversity Heritage Library
    16

    tris-Ham-Shack-2009-20-by-26

    *Ham Shack*, 2009. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Lamp and Cushion
    17

    tris-Rotator-2009-271

    *Rotator*, 2009. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Human Person Art and Drawing
    18

    tris-treepee

    *Treepee*, 2010. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
  • Image may contain Ornament Plant Christmas Tree Tree Water Conifer Ocean Outdoors Nature Sea and Vegetation
    19

    tris-fountain-2

    *Fountain*, 2011. *Image: Tristram Lansdowne*
Read More
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergens, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best delivery services and meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s meal service, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The 10 Best WIRED-Tested Pet Cameras
Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.
Molly Higgins
23 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your Life
From the best air fryer to frying pans to knife sharpeners anyone can use, these ideas will keep the curious home chef in your life tinkering away.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Pet Hair Vacuums We Tried at Home
Cordless, handheld, robot, and traditional—we tested them all to find the vacuum that’s fantastic for fur.
Molly Higgins
28 Amazing STEM Toys Approved by WIRED Kids
We found lots of math-filled and science-rich toys for tiny nerds to assemble, bake, squish—or even tear apart and rebuild.
Simon Hill
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
Apple just raised its prices. Here’s an updated breakdown of the brand’s tablets to find the best one for your needs.
Luke Larsen
The Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van Life
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Simon Hill
The Best Wi-Fi Routers to Reach Every Corner of Your Home
Don’t suffer the buffer. These WIRED-tested home routers will deliver reliable internet across your home, whatever your needs or budget.
Simon Hill