Middle-earth Journeys

Marbretherese, you and Iolanthe have both written 'I reckon' in the last few days. It's funny to us Yanks--that's old-fashioned cowboy language here! Is that common usage in British English?

© Rabbit Ridge Art

Riv, I love your new picture . It works so well for that particular one which was almost stained-glassy anyway. It looks so homely. I'd love that (and the previous one) as a real stained glass panel. Now there's an idea! Middle-earth stained glass . Know any glass artists??????

Merry wrote:Marbretherese, you and Iolanthe have both written 'I reckon' in the last few days. It's funny to us Yanks--that's old-fashioned cowboy language here! Is that common usage in British English?

Yes, it is . I never reckoned that I'd have something in common with cowboys! Those old-fashioned cow-pokes must have been copying us .

Here's my Gandalf the Grey. It started as a doodle while sitting in front of an old film with a mega sore throat yesterday. I really liked the face so I decided to ink it. Then I thought I'd see if I could still do cross-hatching. I used to do a lot of cross-hatched ink drawings many years ago and Marebretherese had to have a go at it on her recent life-drawing course so it's been in my mind to do some more. It's a very obsessive technique using individual strokes to shade. Here it seems like millions. Ideal for when you've got a temperature!
I'm now thinking that I might do a whole series of characters as it's something I can nibble away at while watching TV .

Iolanthe, I can give you no greater compliment on this new piece other than to say...you have captured the essence of Gandalf. Simply wonderful!!

Maybe I should have a fever more often .

He's got great eyes, Iolanthe: lively and sad at the same time. The shading technique really works there.

I love the second 'stained glass', too, RR. It seems to allow you to use brighter colors, and the border is fantastic!

Iolanthe, I love your drawing. Mind you if I'd attempted all that cross hatching I think it would have given me a temperature . . . !!

Riv, I thinks this stained glass idea is fantastic. I really like the second one and I agree with Iolanthe - there must be somewhere you could get these made up into glass panels!!

Riv, you certainly do have a wonderful feeling for the "stained glass" effect. Just lovely!

Iolanthe, I have no words! What an extraordinary likeness, and I just can't imagine how LONG it took you to do this or summoning up the patience for all of that cross-hatching. That would have driven me nuts! It is a beautiful piece. Will we be seeing it on the V-W Marketplace, by any chance (as well as your other more recent works)? My wallet is itchy.

Possibly! I'm in the middle of setting up my own website so some, but not all. will go there . Actually the cross-hatching doesn't take me that long. The Gandalf took about 3 hours.

Here's another - finally a picture of Aragorn with the Palantir! I've gone even crazier with the cross-hatching here and produced something that's almost impossible to reproduce successfully. It would like fine in an exhibition but it hates the scanner. It's all a process of seeing what works and what doesn't...


Aragorn decides he must use the Palantir

© Iolanthe

It's very, very difficult to get my original pre-Viggo Aragorn out of my head and onto paper because he is...well... sort of perfect. This doesn't even come close . But at least it doesn't look like a certain actor... does he?

No, Iolanthe, this is not VM, and I think you're right to try to create art that is not derivative of the movies. Once again, I am drawn to the eyes here--perfect! They say, I know I have to do this, but lord, I know I'm going to have to pay for it when I do. I also like the hint of a Rohan border above. I actually like the hint of it rather than the whole thing: it reminds us of where (book) Aragorn was when he looked into the palantir without making it a distraction.

Well done indeed!

This is excellent, Iolanthe, and no, it doesn't look like V-M; although your Aragorn is holding onto his sword in a manner which suggests he takes it everywhere with him - which fits the storyline too. I love that sword, and his expression of foreboding . . . !

My imaginary Aragorn has a look all his own and I also am thrilled to see you give him his own personality.

Needless to say...I love the piece Iolanthe!

Gotta LOVE that Aragorn!

© Rabbit Ridge Art

Lovely!!!! For this one I definitely prefer the new version over the old - it gives it a lot more vigour and clarity. I love it Riv .

I agree Iolanthe. It took me a while, but I think I have stumbled onto a style that feels right and makes me happier about the end result.