Tolkiens Drawings

[Elendur]

Isn't there a book out that has drawings made by Tolkien? I am thinking of making a map for a game I play, and I need detailed specs of an area (like Isengard) to make the map with. I am almost certain the book exists, but will it have drawings like I need?

And, Im am also interested in the pictures because of the books. smilies/smile.gif

[Elrian]

There is/was called pictures by JRR Tolkien. check to see if it is still available at Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. Sometimes they can get rare books too. It's worth a try.

[Elendur]

It is there for 40$. smilies/smile.gif I guess it would be worth it, but I would like to hear from someone who has it.

[Elrian]

I do have it, what would you like to know?

[Elendur]

Are the pictures more like John Howe and Alan Lee type where they are trying to show events and places of the story vaguely? Or are there sets of detailed pictures that show places of the Middle Earth (in a small scale like the inside of Isengard)? Like are there some sketches made by Tolkien of what the inside of Bag End looked like? Stff like that, that I could work with to make a map.

[Elrian]

They are pictures done by Tolkien himself of places and scenes from the Hobbit, LOTR , and the Silmarillion, and some patterns, and heraldic paintings. They have some pictures on this site in the Art and Media section by Alan Lee and John Howe if that's what your looking for: http://www.barrowdowns.com/Welcome.asp

[Mister Underhill]

You might also want to try Karen Wynn Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth or some of the old I.C.E. roleplaying supplements, neither of which is official material but both of which might have some of the more detailed drawings you seek. The Fonstad book is likely available at a nearby bookstore, but you'll have to do some looking to track down the old roleplaying stuff.

[rachelle]

I've been thinking a lot about this stuff...why don't they have a collection of Tolkien's books with only his own illustrations in them? I like them much better than any other artists and doesn't it just make sense? I want a nice lotr set with tolkien's artwork on the cover. Oh, but if you're wondering...I just bought this book called "J.R.R Tolkien artist and illustrator" It seems pretty in depth.

[Ulmo]

I agree with Mister Underhill, "The Atlas of the Middle-Earth" by Karen Wynn Fonstad is the best way to go. Wonderfully detailed maps. I've had my copy since 1983, the front cover jacket is almost falling off, I've used it so much. smilies/smile.gif

[Elendur]

For a follow-up question, are there any blueprints of Bag End, Gondor, Isengard, Helms Deep, Any of the well known caves (i.e. Menegroth), or any other small area like that? It does not particuarly matter what there origin is. I am certain there must be some types of blueprints from the FoTR Movie, but where could I find them?

Just looking for some places to start. Your suggestions have helped alot, thanks. smilies/smile.gif

[Mithadan]

In addition to "Pictures by Tolkien", which is out of print and has been for about 20 years, there is a very well annotated book edited by Wayne Hammond called "Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator", which can still be found.

[Ulmo]

Originally posted by Elendur:
<STRONG>For a follow-up question, are there any blueprints of Bag End, Gondor, Isengard, Helms Deep, Any of the well known caves (i.e. Menegroth), or any other small area like that? It does not particuarly matter what there origin is. I am certain there must be some types of blueprints from the FoTR Movie, but where could I find them?

Just looking for some places to start. Your suggestions have helped alot, thanks. smilies/smile.gif</STRONG>


"The Atlas of the Middle-Earth" has detailed drawings of all sorts of things (from both top-down and side-view perspectives): The Glimmering Caves, Moria, Isengard, The Dark Tower, etc.....It's all there smilies/wink.gif

[ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Ulmo ]

[Elendur]

Thankyou all! smilies/smile.gif

If I ever complete a Tolkien-based Map I will show it to you. Dont expect it any time soon though, the program that I need to make it is very confusing and I'm still learning.

[Snowdog]

For ono-canonical information, Fonstadt's Atlas of Middle Earth is a must. It's kind of like Robert Foster's A Complete Guide To Middle Earth in it's usefulness. As for Tolkien's illustrations, I would like to get that myself. All I have are the book covers on my 1970's revision of the Lord of the Rings paperbacks.

[Elemmakil]

The primary books you want are:
"Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien" (OOP, I believe, but still findable)

"J.R.R. Tolkien - Artist & Illustrator" (Should be in print; lot of neat stuff. Covers more than just Middle Earth)

"Art of The Hobbit" (Recent, also in print, lot of draft pictures and sketches, also includes things like Thorin's letter to Bilbo, and some details on maps)

All well worth getting, in my estimation!

[Faramir Jones]

In view of this thread's subject matter, and the fact that Christmas willl soon be upon us, I should mention here another primary book concerning Tolkien's drawings: Any complete and unabridged version of Letters from Father Christmas. :)