Fantastic and kitsch?
I can see that there are a few tweaks in the painting to enhance the drama and idealism because it's, well, Minas Tirith. Most notably Ted Nasmith's tendency to up the purple (which a lot of painters do with real subjects right in front of their eyes), and maybe rely on it a bit much for
aerial perspective*
But I don't know if I'd call it kitsch.
It's still a ways from Thomas Kinkade, and I don't think it's too much more kitsch than
this,
this, or
this.
As for fantastic: it's, well,
Minas Tirith.
*Akshullee, the whole painting looks like it has
too much 'aerial perspective' - i.e. pale and washed out - and with too little red or yellow evening light to go with what seems to me like purple evening clouds and shadow. I think this version, from Ted's own site, which I assume is closer to the intended tones and colours, works better.
http://tednasmith.mymiddleearth.com/2012/07/04/in-haste-to-the-white-city/Compare to the first version posted:
... or those pics I linked to, or any famous landmark or mountain range photo under a red evening.
Poll