Worst of Tolkien Art - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Milady Revenwyn · 09-10-2007, 08:53 PM

Oh my goodness, yes, he looks like Inigo...
But his boots are far too big.

Laurinquë · 01-20-2008, 01:39 AM

It's horrible! Horrible! It makes me sick! *wheezing*
How could anyone create that? Terrible person....

Hilde Bracegirdle · 01-20-2008, 09:01 AM

I have to wonder if the artists themselves are happy with what they have done, or if their intent has surpassed their skill. It is so much easier to criticise than create. That being said, I wish that artists whose style does not lend itself to such subjects, wouldn't feel compelled to attempt it!

Parmastahir · 01-20-2008, 07:58 PM

For your consideration and comment per a request of me from The Might, an unused (for reasons which will become apparent even without the obvious error in the artwork) illustration for a Tolkien calendar (see attachment).

I appreciate davem's comments and find what is wrong with many of the bad (or worst) illustrations in them. It is easy to be critical of the illustrators (justly or not) when their concept of Middle-earth fails to match ours. The imagery conjured up in our minds' eyes by Tolkien's masterful prose can never be matched by an illustrator's ... no matter how good they are or how close they come to what we have seen we have become lost in the books. In spite of that, I have collected well over 200 Tolkien calendars and I very much enjoy the attempts the hundreds of artists have made.

However, some are wrong (or, in the vernacular, "That just ain't right!") In "The Last Stewards", the prostitutes on the left, Aragorn's disinterest in the Sceptre of Numenor, and the inattentive rudeness of the apparently bored clowns on the left (what could possibly be more important to discuss at that moment??) "just ain't right!"

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

The Might · 01-21-2008, 07:21 AM

Thanks, Parmastahir!

THE Ka · 01-21-2008, 01:40 PM

I kind of get the vibe that the artist wanted to 'tie' in the Sauron/Melkor association with cats. I dunno, best guess of mine.

Looking at that face though, I just want to go and hug my feline fluff of fur.

I have to agree though, no one is practicularly going to have an illustration in the same light as Tolkien's, or maybe Alan Lee's (I say his name as well, because he has worked with the Tolkien family for some years now), so some takes on certain events might come off as strange to the rest of us.

Then again, some are just too odd it is more puzzling than humourious.

Personally, I don't think I could ever illustrate Sauron after the fall of Numenor, since Tolkien had his image in such a way that is familiar and very distinct, but particularly hard to encompass beyond the 'great eye' factor. Sometimes words can do the best in our minds for certain things, though it doesn't mean all things illustrated are a 'tainted image' of the original.

Also because, it is quite interesting and fun to make Sauron as this suave and sly advisor, appealing to the wants and wishes of kings.

~ Ka

01-21-2008, 07:21 AM	#5
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Thanks, Parmastahir! __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-21-2008, 01:40 PM	#6
THE Ka Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: As with the flygja Posts: 1,403	I kind of get the vibe that the artist wanted to 'tie' in the Sauron/Melkor association with cats. I dunno, best guess of mine. Looking at that face though, I just want to go and hug my feline fluff of fur. I have to agree though, no one is practicularly going to have an illustration in the same light as Tolkien's, or maybe Alan Lee's (I say his name as well, because he has worked with the Tolkien family for some years now), so some takes on certain events might come off as strange to the rest of us. Then again, some are just too odd it is more puzzling than humourious. Personally, I don't think I could ever illustrate Sauron after the fall of Numenor, since Tolkien had his image in such a way that is familiar and very distinct, but particularly hard to encompass beyond the 'great eye' factor. Sometimes words can do the best in our minds for certain things, though it doesn't mean all things illustrated are a 'tainted image' of the original. Also because, it is quite interesting and fun to make Sauron as this suave and sly advisor, appealing to the wants and wishes of kings. ~ Ka __________________ Vinur, vinur skilur tú meg? Veitst tú ongan loyniveg? Hevur tú reikað líka sum eg, í endaleysu tokuni?

09-10-2007, 08:53 PM	#1
Milady Revenwyn Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 29	Oh my goodness, yes, he looks like Inigo... But his boots are far too big.

01-20-2008, 01:39 AM	#2
Laurinquë Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 347	It's horrible! Horrible! It makes me sick! wheezing How could anyone create that? Terrible person....

01-20-2008, 09:01 AM	#3
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	I have to wonder if the artists themselves are happy with what they have done, or if their intent has surpassed their skill. It is so much easier to criticise than create. That being said, I wish that artists whose style does not lend itself to such subjects, wouldn't feel compelled to attempt it!