7 replies to this topic

[dathui]

We are happy to present a new concept artist to you, he has already produced to stunning pieces so i'll just let him get on with presenting himself:

Mae gowannen, mellyn nîn! Pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Antti and I go by the name of Aranthalion here at the forums. I'm a new guy at the Art Department where I will be working as a conceptual artist.

Some words about me.. Well, I'm 27, from Finland, an architect (well, almost.. will graduate soon, I hope) by trade and I work as a researcher. Art and drawing (and about a million other things..) have been my dear hobbies for as long as I can remember. I found Tolkien's work when I was around 9 and I've been a devout fan ever since. I've read more or less everything he's written - countless times - and I find his work a lasting source of inspiration. I have quite a purist approach to illustrating Tolkien and I'm often rather obsessed with details.. in everything I do.

TLA seems like a magnificent project. I'm amazed of the amount of work - and the exceptional quality of it - that I have seen here. I'm glad to be involved and I hope I can provide the team with something that is both useful and meets the high standards they have set with their previous work. Good to be part of the team!

Here are my first contributions to TLA.. I'm working on the visual look of Fingon. The first one is a concept portrait and I wanted to study his features and hair style. Tolkien wrote that "he wore his long dark hair in great plaits braided with gold" and this is the way I see it. I've noticed in my previous illustrations that without that short part of wild hair all the braids make him look too much like a Native American Indian for my liking. I picture him with a gaunt face, powerful features, distinctive strong eyebrows and bright, sad eyes. I went for a pensive, melancholy expression because I wanted to portray him just after he had heard the news of the fate of Maedhros and started thinking about what to do about it…

"..Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart."

..which brings us to the second picture, an illustration I call "Fingon Prepares for His Quest to Find Maedhros." I was particularly interested in his equipment here and if anyone is familiar with my earlier work they will recognize the weapon designs. I felt he needed to have adequate travel gear, but light enough to be able to go by foot. He definitely took a lot of stuff with him, though.. I mean who would ever set out to the wilderness alone without a harp, right?

I will provide an actual concept design sheet with this equipment in colour and with measurements later.. But this illustration should give the overall image of how I see Fingon. The quote to go with this one is:

"Then Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor, before their Enemy should be ready for war..."
"..Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros."

He has made two pictures of Fingon


Click here for a larger version


Click here for a larger version

Edited by NaurwenT, 17 February 2006 - 04:52 PM.

[Deacon_Raptor]

Wow...grats on getting on the team, and those two are just freaking amazing oO

btw gogo Nightwish

[Mithrandil]

Very, very nice indeed. An excellent drawing of everything: the face, the hair, I especially like the Adam's apple, ...
2 Minor details, and they are purely my own viewpoints, so no critics on the actual drawing :
1) I always thought of elves to have very pale skin, because it always seemed to me that they expressed nobility and wisdom, and in Europe, as you probably know, the noblemen tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. How paler you were, how richer.
2) Although I think it's very nicely done, I have some minor problems with the scale of the sword. It just seems too much to muster, and that's something that bothers me alot with "fantasy", being that they always have HUGE swords. On the other hand, it looks like a twohander, and that comforts me. Also, it is obvious that it is attached to the back. Maybe not a bad idea after all, but it still looks a bit too heavy.

But, why should I critisize it? It's my POV, and I shouldn't press it. On the whole: excellent, admirable work!

To our new concept artist, welcome Aranthalion!

Edited by Mithrandil, 19 February 2006 - 10:46 AM.

[Rinion]

Wonderful. I like your style of drawing.

[Aranthalion]

Thank you for the welcome and the feedback, guys!

@Mithrandil:

1) I agree with you, i see the Elves in general as quite pale-skinned and the Ñoldor more so than the ones who lived in Middle-earth.. who were more physical, outdoor people in general, i think. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, like Caranthir. IMO Fingon looks pale-skinned, ie. not tanned, in my drawing.. that was the intention, anyway.
2) The sword is indeed a two-hander.. for some reason i've always pictured him with one. but this is just an illustration and by no means the final way Fingon's equipment will look. He will most likely end up with a different kind of sword in the game.

@Deacon: Heh, yeah.. we'll see what will happen to Nightwish -- whether they'll be succesful with some new vocalist or not.


(Edited for typos)

Edited by Aranthalion, 18 February 2006 - 09:06 AM.

[Historicity]

Welcome to TLA!!!



Glad to see TLA has a new concept artist to help with the pre-alpha stages of the game!

Excellent portrayal of Fingon!

[Mithrandil]

BTW, I haven't mentioned it, but the helmet is marvelous!

[Beren IV]

Coooooool!

Congrats for getting on the team!