Author's posts
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/butterflies-above-mirkwood-meccg/
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/view-of-rhudaur-meccg-2/
The Riddle Game (Early Work)
Media: Acrylic Dimensions: 11 in × 11 in This is an early example of my work, part of a number of acrylic works painted in the ’70s. It shows a tendency to treat the characters as more ‘cartoonish’ as I progressed towards a more comprehensive, realistic approach to Tolkien illustration.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-riddle-game-early-work/
The Unexpected Party
Media: Acrylic Photos of this painting (including detail shots) were sent to J.R.R. Tolkien in 1972 along with some other work. He responded a few weeks later with a letter typed and signed by his personal secretary both praising the work and making the comment that Bilbo seemed too childlike.This was invaluable feedback for a …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-unexpected-party/
The Arkenstone
Media: Watercolour First appeared in the 1988 Tolkien Calendar, published by Ballantine. (It was the painting for November.)
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/the-hobbit/the-arkenstone/
At Beorn’s Hall
Media: Watercolour First appeared in the 1988 Tolkien Calendar, published by Ballantine. (It was the painting for May.)
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/at-beorns-hall/
Eagles to the Rescue
Media: Watercolour First appeared in the 1988 Tolkien Calendar, published by Ballantine. (It was the painting for April.)
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/eagles-to-the-rescue/
Gollum is Defeated
Media: Watercolour First appeared in the 1988 Tolkien Calendar, published by Ballantine. (It was the painting for March.)
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/gollum-is-defeated/
An Unexpected Morning Visit
Media: Gouache on illustration board First appeared in the 1992 (Centenary) Tolkien Calendar, published by Grafton Books. (It was the painting for May.) Also used on the cover of some editions of The Hobbit, and other Tolkien publications.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/an-unexpected-morning-visit/
Scouring the Mountain
Media: Gouache on illustration board First appeared in the 1996 Tolkien Calendar, published by HarperCollins. (It was the painting for April, and was featured on the cover.) Also used as the package art and centerpiece for The Hobbit: The Defeat of the Evil Dragon Smaug, a board game published in 2001 by Sophisticated Games Ltd.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/scouring-the-mountain/