Art & Artists Inspired by J.R.R.Tolkien

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:46 pm

It's very quiet around here so I'm posting some thoughts on the Alan Lee Lord of the Rings Sketchbook now I know that a few more of you have it.

What amazes me most - and it's unique to these particular sketches - is his abiltity to conjour up vast landscapes and dizzying perspectives with these drawings. Having to work on those huge film concepts has really set his imagination on fire. I'm thinking especially Minas Morgul on p.24-25, Mordor on p178-9 and the chapter openers like The Blow Falls, Lothlorien and The Road to Mordor. To conjour all of that up with just a pencil is incredible.

I keep finding details I've missed each time I look through the book. In The Blow Falls p154-155 I can see not only Minas Tirith bottom left, but if we follow the road through Osgiliath and on we eventually arrive at a tiny Minas Morgul nestled at the head of the mountain pass. His grasp on Tolkien's landscape is wonderful.

It's also taken me a while to spot Merry with his sword in the drawing of Eowyn facing the Witch King on p166-167.

I'd love to know what everyone's favourites are.

marbretherese · Post by **marbretherese** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:35 pm

Iolanthe, as you know, I'm taking the sketchbook extremely slowly - just a few pages at a time - because I want to absorb the drawings. So I've only just reached Alan Lee's sketches of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. The picture of Goldberry on page 28 completely blew me away: I love her hair! or is it leaves? no I think it's hair . . . or maybe not . . .!

It's awfully tempting to rush straight through the book but I'm managing not to. Every time I turn a fresh page there's something amazing to look at!

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:49 pm

I've been taking my time too, mabretherese. I'm taking each page slowly and absorbing it, and not too many at a time so I can really appreciate it. And I don't want to get to the end!

I love the Goldberry drawings. Two slightly different impressions of her really is a bonus given that the drawings aren't the basis for any of the 50th Anniversary Edition paintings or for any work on the films. Makes me wonder what he did draw them for

. Just for the sheer joy of putting such a lovely character on paper? And, of course, there aren't that many LOTR ladies to set your pencil too!

The leaves in her hair in the first picture ( p. 28 ) look like weeping willow leaves to me and there are tiny opening waterlily buds at the crown, holding them in place. Another beautiful detail I've just noticed! It's exquisite.

Philipa · Post by **Philipa** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:07 pm

When I first recieved this book last Christmas I read it through and through in one sitting before drifting off to sleep. I really liked the commentary through out involving the sets and props included in the book. It truly must have been amazing to work on this project for years.

The attention to detail is amazing. From the many faces and postures of Gandalf to the Elvish designs for things on the sets this is my kind of pick apart art book.

Makes me wonder what he did draw them for.

He also included the Barrows in this book which are not in this project. Perhaps because he has been involved with Tolkien's work for so long he needed to keep continueity within the story in order to work this way? I don't know....

The Edoras chapter starting on page 92 is one of my favorites. I love that Norse and Celtic feel to the drawings. The drawings of Scatha the dragon and the knight remind me of St. George and the dragon. A theme repeated many times in many different societies.

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:28 pm

I love the Edoras chapters too, especially all the wonderful drawings of horses, he really understands them.

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:37 pm

TOR.n has a link to a new interview with Alan Lee that describes the little cottage in which he lives and works, as well as how he became connected with the movies: lots of words from this quiet man!

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:27 pm

Thanks Merry! It's a really interesting BBC article which you can all find here at bbc.co.uk

"I did about 2,500 or so sketches during the time I was in New Zealand, and not very much painting because there just wasn't enough time really to finish paintings.

Sounds like there are several more books in there to me

!

Airwin · Post by **Airwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:12 pm

My favorite part of the book is where he wrote me a message!

Just kidding.

I don't really have a favorite sketch in the book. They all have such wonderful detail! But I have to say that I love the elvish armor. It looks incredibly well-crafted, and still in touch with nature (note the leaves in the armor on page 73). I wouldn't be surprised if the elves just blended in with their environment making it hard for the enemy to spot them!

I feel lucky to have been able to attend Alan Lee's LOTR Sketchbook presentation and book signing last October. He is a very soft-spoken man and so very nice!

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:45 pm

I've got a message in my book too and I always look at that page first when I open it

! Happy memories.

The elvish armour is astounding. Such beautiful designs. Looking through the book again last night, though, I became fascinated with the armaggedon like illustration at the end showing the fall of Mordor. It's really epic. There are the bases of huge structures on the left, Mount Doom on the right and the small figures of Frodo and Sam running out before the door. It feels large scale even though it's encompassed in two small pages.

Philipa · Post by **Philipa** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:43 am

I was in a bookstore the other day and saw for the first time a HC copy of the Sil that was illustrated by Ted Naismith. His illustrations were quite beautiful. Have you seen them? I may have to break down and buy this book. It is time to replace my very tattered paperback edition.

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:59 pm

They are wonderful! There are a lot of Naismith I really like and a lot I don't but I do like nearly all his Sil ones. Maybe it's just his hobbits I don't care for

. But I'd love a Naismith illustrated Sil too. He really captures the heroic and his intense fresh colours make Middle-earth seem young and magical to me.

Philipa · Post by **Philipa** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:36 pm

I must admit I agree with the Hobbits and in many the men turn me off too. But the Elves especially the stories in the beginning are quite magical in tone and nature.

Airwin · Post by **Airwin** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:52 pm

The Naismith illustrated Sil has been on my wishlist for a while too. And now that I'm a B&N member (and got a 15% extra off welcome coupon!) I'm seriously considering getting it. But then again, I also want to get Capitain Alatriste.

Choices, choices...

Philipa · Post by **Philipa** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:36 pm

Oh I'd go with the Sil in a heartbeat. Alatriste is a fine book from the public library but the Sil is a referrence book for life. Just my

Airwin · Post by **Airwin** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:19 pm

Philipa wrote:Oh I'd go with the Sil in a heartbeat. Alatriste is a fine book from the public library but the Sil is a referrence book for life. Just my

Good point Philipa! I'll have to keep that in mind!