Archive for April, 2010
The Hobbit, part three
Posted by: Sam Bosma
Book: The Hobbit (purchase on Amazon)
Apologies for lateness, but things are done when they are done.
This chapter was both a pleasure to illustrate and a bear to deal with. The chapter centers around one event (the finding of moon letters on Thorin’s map) and a whole lot of nothing. It seems like a given to illustrate Elrond holding the map before the moon and discovering those runes telling of the key to the secret passage into the Lonely Mountain. However…there are precious few rests to The Hobbit, and this is one of them, and that in itself is worth visiting.
When it comes to illustrating a passage where the central point is that nothing is happening to our protagonist, a new set of problems arises. How do you make a narrative image with no conflict without it becoming boring or trite or cliched? I guess it’s all about activating the senses. I wanted to evoke that sense that Bilbo is feeling, where you wouldn’t want to leave this place ever again. I don’t know if I’m there, but that was the goal.
I picture the elves as existing in perpetual June, at least in The Hobbit. They are beautiful and exude strength and vivacity, which can be a bit frightening (at least to little Bilbo), though their demeanor is pleasant. They have absolutely no worries at this point, or if they do, they disguise them well. They spend their days, months, and years doing the things we have to wait until the best days in summer to do. Their clothing is made of linen and cotton and is without much decorative ornamentation. It is beautiful, simple, and comfortable. They are the ancient Athenians of Middle Earth at this point.
Tomorrow you’ll be treated to two posts, you lucky devils, so stay tuned for Julia and John’s terrific work!
Peter Pan: Never Going to Grow Up!
Hello friends! I regretfully write that I was unable to create a new illustration that continues the story, however I did whip up this print! It’s available as an archival Giclée on Society6.
Stay tuned for greatness from Sam Bosma!
Everybody has won, and all must have prizes.
Posted by: Meg Hunt
Book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (purchase on Amazon)
Trying something a little different in this post, for a couple of reasons: 1) I’ve been having a really busy time working on some very complicated projects and wanted to step back and explore some of the smaller scenes, 2) there are just too many scenes I want to illustrate in this book (aka, all of them!) and kind of wanted to pay tribute to how often older books had a series of full color plates and then more limited palette or b/w illustrations.
It is also with a sad note that I must announce that we’re losing S.britt as one of our contributors– I know his work has been admired by many and it is very saddening to me that we won’t get to see his lovely pieces every month. I’m on the search for a new contributor though; in the meantime I will be posting on Mister Britt’s day with a full-color illustration of the caucus race, so please enjoy these little spots in the meantime.
(these both get bigger if you click them!)
‘O Mouse, do you know the way out of this pool? I am very tired of swimming about here, O Mouse!’
At last the Dodo said, ‘everybody has won, and all must have prizes.’
‘But who is to give the prizes?’ quite a chorus of voices asked.
‘Why, she, of course,’ said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, ‘Prizes! Prizes!’
Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. There was exactly one a-piece all round.
Please check back tomorrow for Will Bryant’s next tour into Neverland!
