Imagination stimuli

When I'm writing, I get these wonderful pictures in my head of the locations I place my characters. Epic, sweeping, unique places that leave an permanent imprint in my mind. Even if I haven't written that part of a particular story yet, I can remember the location months later as clearly as when I first imagined it. (This is why I tend to over-describe; I want the reader to imagine it exactly like I do). But sometimes, just describing the location in prose isn't enough.

That's when the little gnome artist that lives in my mind pops up his wee little capped head, a impish grin spread across his wrinkled features. And straightaway he's off to find another medium to express the wonderful idea I've had.

Often it's paper and pencil, but it shapes itself into a drawing. Usually merely a hasty sketch or roughed out background around the key centerpiece, these drawings may not be the most wonderful works of art, but they speak volumes more than even words ever could. One morning at work when nothing was going on I grabbed a sheet of parchment paper and a pen and roughed out a cutaway of a Silverwind tent from Silver and Sable. It's nothing fancy, and the lack of any sort of line hierarchy makes it somewhat difficult to read, but it gave me the clearest picture of the Silverwind landscape I've come up with yet.

(It was a bit slow that day :P)

Other times, it's 3D modeling. I've built inns, gates, towers, and started countless other studies in the wonderful world of 3D modeling. My latest creation was a tavern with rooms above for travelers.

(Notice the unfinished back wing... still working on this one)

And one my little gnome's favorites; Legos! Yes, these surprisingly versatile and totally epic plastic blocks  have been fashioned into some of my most epic landscapes and scenes.

(Me and my little sister did this the other day;

I did the rocks and grass, she did the snow and guy)

So, what do you use to help your imagination out?