Monday, August 30, 2010

Beautiful Orthanc

Being in the realms of Middle Earth of late, (I've been re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring and spent all day Saturday watching Jackson's extended versions of the three films) I decided to draw a picture of Orthanc.  The drawing took some time to do, being that I did it using MSPaint.  The piece is called "Beautiful Orthanc," representing a time when Isengard had not yet fallen to Saruman's treachery.


If you are familiar with Tolkien famed illustrator Alan Lee, then you're familiar with the piece I used to base my drawing on.  Lee's illustration, of course, is of fallen Isengard, destroyed by the enraged Ents.

Orthanc, by Alan Lee
I am nearly finished with The Fellowship re-read, and I'm greatly enjoying it.  I've only read it once before, back a year or so before the film was released, and at the time I was young and mostly new to fantasy, so it's almost like I'm reading it for the first time.  I'll hold off lauding Tolkien now, as I'll likely do a book review, if only for completionist's sakes.

Now, to finish before Sanderson's The Way of Kings finds its way into my hands.

4 comments:

Angie said...

Great picture. I'm impressed that you did it with MS Paint. I just love The Lord of the Rings. I have to re-read them often. (And I cannot wait to get The Way of Kings myself.)

logankstewart said...

Thanks, Angie. Paint certainly takes time, but it's good mind-dulling, relaxing time...

Carl V. Anderson said...

Very fun! That is one of my favorite images of Alan Lee's illustrations for Tolkien's work. Simply amazing. I'm thrilled that Lee had such a presence in the making of the films.

logankstewart said...

@Carl: Aye, 'twas fun. Lee's works are all great, but "Orthanc" is definitely one of the best. It's hard to imagine the movies without his touches.