Can't decide. My favourite picture is probably John Howe's painting of Smaug on top of his gold, which is on the front cover of my edition of TH. I love, love that picture of Smaug and I'm a bit grumpy PJ didn't design Smaug more like that one. Also the picture brings back fond memories from when I read the book many years ago.
(This post was edited by macfalk on Dec 14 2014, 8:49pm)
The link is to a thread that was part of a discussion of Tolkien artists back in 2007. Unfortunately, many of the links are now broken, but some do still work, particularly the Rolozo ones. Click on the Rolozo enlargement links.
If you want to follow the discussion, the rest of Ezpeleta is:
Yes, I agree Nasmith's characters can look a bit...odd...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
...but in a weird way, for me, that is part of the charm, some of his character and animal designs look a little stiff and generic (i.e rather similar to other fantasy designs, or a little lifeless) compared to Lee or Howe's, but juxtaposed with his fantastic landscapes and use of colour they seem to appeal to me more as illustrations. Bolder, and more 'far out; they come across as more fantastical, as if Nasmith is painting more from emotions and personal feeling, than details or the 'mood' of the writing, with a illustrated book I prefer paintings that leave a little lee way to the imagination.
I tend to find with Alan Lee's work a sense of hyper realism, not a bad thing exactly (he is certainly a genius in his own way), but Nasmith's work feels more like paintings from the heart, whereas Lee or Howe's imagery comes across like illustrations from the brain.
Does that make sense?
I've long wished for a edition of LOTR illustrated by Nasmith...
I'll make a note to check those out soon, it's always interesting to see other peoples interpretations of Middle Earth (even if I find much of the early illustrations from the 60's-70's a little too abstract for my tastes), and I find it equally fascinating diving into TORn's archives during my increasingly infrequent visits to the forum.
I love the Hildebrandts. I have all their Tolkien calendars, and those were the illustrations I had in the heady days when I was first reading the books. I don't like their piggy orcs, but I love their bright colors and realistic landscapes and use of light. I think my favorite is Goldberry.
There's a restaurant in my hometown called Avogadro's Number, and there are murals on the walls, most of which have been since painted over, with copies of that painting and other Hildebrandt Tolkien works. Here's one of Bilbo that survived.
They are all brilliant in their own way
[In reply to]
Can't Post
But I've been keen on Donato Giancolas work ever since I stumbled across his book a few years ago. I have a deep love for renaissance art, so Giancola really does it for me.
It really depends on which book(s) the illustrations are made for
[In reply to]
Can't Post
It's crucial for me that the illustrations match the tone and flair of the book/work they are made for. For LoTR I prefer Alan Lee and Anke Katrin Eissman - there's a great sense of depth in their use of colours and a wonderful sense of detail and lyricism, both central to Tolkien's writing style for LoTR. Eissman's style is more intense and emotional in its use of colours, but there's a greater sense of variety to Lee's illustrations and his ornamental edges adds extra value to the illustrations, so if I had to choose one favourite illustrator for LoTR it would be him.
For The Hobbit I prefer Jemima Catlin, the tone of her illustrations for The Hobbit is much more in line with the general flair of the work than other illustrators I have seen.
For The Silmarillion I haven't quite made up my mind yet.
For other non M-E works I prefer Pauline Baynes, she has a unique style which leaves a lot to the reader's imagination.
I actually love Tolkien's own art. He's clearly better at landscapes than anything, but it's neat seeing his world through his eyes. i have to recommend the art book I picked up of his work.
Many of these are great, and it's great that two very different artists worked on the films.
I have a personal fondness for Alan Lee; he seems to be able to draw absolutely anything accurately (even horses!!! which nobody does well anymore), and does both gnarly characters and lovely Elves beautifully. Also landscapes, ships, weaponry, architecture.... wow. I have a LOTR that he illustrated (I think it's 1992)...just.... awesome.
Many of the artists seem to have one archetype they do well. the Hildebrandts couldn't do an Elf to save their lives, but did amazing Dwarves. (I can't freakin draw Dwarves). Their colors were bright and fun, and their horses were passable.