The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring

by **rowanberry** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 1:49 pm

Check these Silmarillion themed paintings by <a href='http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/list.pl?gallery=5458' target=_blank>Jenny Dolfen</a>. There's much more in her gallery as well, but at the moment, she's working on the Sil series, and is still adding paintings to it.

by **Ornendil** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 2:41 pm

Nice. These are excellent. I love 'The Coming of Fingolfin'. I don't quite like the hairsyles in some of the pictures, but aside from that they're great.

by **Elmtree** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 4:37 pm

More good stuff! The female artists seem to be able to capture the "persons" involved in the stories, far better than the guys overall. I really liked these paintings.

by **Giliath** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 8:37 pm

Quite lovely. The characters do seem to shine through rather nicely in the pieces and I would assume quite intentionally. It seems to be the focus of the compositions. In fact they feel quite a bit like character studies. Irregardless they are lovely. A favourite is hard to pick. I do quite like "The Coming of Fingolfin" as well though the seemingly broad daylight is odd. I also like the character of "Feanor and Maedhros" and "The Ruin of Feanor's House" is remarkable. Ornendil I'd have to agree, though it's more of a little niggle to me. It's likely do to the fact that we are all used to the idea of Elves being visualized with long flowing hair.

by **NienorNiniel** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 1:21 am

I can do little more than agree here: - These pictures are great - "The Coming of Fingolfin" was one of the best, along with "Feanor and Maedhros" - Elves should have long hair Call me if she updates! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **Elmtree** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 1:59 pm

And thank goodness for the dark haired elves! These drawings, as well as Anke's Silm drawings and those M&M pictures by Chmiel, have REALLY interested me in reading the Silm. I've read bits of it, and a few whole stories (and I've read a number of stories in UT), but ... seeing these characters as "real people" with the ... well "humanity" is the wrong word... "personality" perhaps... that's it. With the "personality" showing through-- makes me want to pick up the book and read all these tales.

by **Goldberryswaiting** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:45 pm

OOH!! These are swell, I looked at em last nite, but I forgot to comment. They're great very well done!! GoldieXX <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0>

by **Giliath** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 4:16 pm

Elmtree you certainly should. It'a s history of such depth and sweeping beauty it's really astounding. I remember crying in several places the first time I read it. It's slightly underappreciated. Go for it. I must admit that fan art (and indeed professional Tolkien art) has helped me create a more complete picture in my mind of the Sil than it did with LOTR. I do hope to see more from Dolfen in the future.

by **Giliath** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:07 pm

Sorry to post twice but a new one: <a href='http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=56356' target=_blank> A Tapestry of Sorrows </a>

by **NienorNiniel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:12 pm

Yay! Thank you, Giliath! I really liked that one. She looks so said, and all the events brought into the picture... *sniff*

by **Giliath** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 2:49 pm

Another very sad new piece: <a href='http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=56580' target=_blank> "Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears" </a>

by **NienorNiniel** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:55 pm

*Hugs Giliath* That is one good, terrible, brutal picture. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-crying.gif"border=0>

by **Giliath** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:36 am

No problem Nienor. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Despite how grusome it is it's a wonderful piece. There's a wonderful contrast. It's violent and cruel and yet there's beauty behind it. It's what probably makes it so effective. You can see the beauty marred.

by **rowanberry** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:47 am

So sad, yet very beautiful. This one almost made me cry. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-crying.gif"border=0>

by **Elmtree** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:57 pm

And my teenaged daughter looked at the picture, and said "That's one hot elf!" I think she might have missed the point.

by **Giliath** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 10:28 pm

And my teenaged daughter looked at the picture, and said "That's one hot elf!" Well she sees the beauty and not the destruction. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0>

by **NienorNiniel** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:12 am

Hey, new picture! <a href='http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=56888' target=_blank>"The Dispossessed"</a> Good one, though Maglor looks like he's sleep walking! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **Ornendil** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:29 am

Wonderful. But I didn't think they were going to wander as leaves before the wind together. Makes the whole "the seven gathered again" thing later in the story kinda awkward. Good one, though Maglor looks like he's sleep walking! In group pictures there's always one that manages to blink his eyes at the time the picture is taken. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif"border=0>

by **Giliath** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:59 pm

Thanks Nienor. Lovely as usual. Wonderful. But I didn't think they were going to wander as leaves before the wind together. Makes the whole "the seven gathered again" thing later in the story kinda awkward. Well I'll give her a little artistic lisence on that one. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> In group pictures there's always one that manages to blink his eyes at the time the picture is taken. It's usually me! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **rowanberry** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:29 am

I just realised that Dolfen's Maglor looks very much like one of my husband's classmates in a couple of old school photos - and believe or not, that guy is a musician... <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0>

by **pxp** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:55 pm

In reference to the above post: Wow! That is strange and a coincidence, but such is life! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> I've recently had the luck of getting to know Jenny Dolfen online, and we now converse regularly. And it's hard to deny her obvious greatness and talent. I agree that it's nice to see more 'Silmarillion' inspired art, which is obviously not as popular as that of 'LotR'. Funnily enough, she hasn't drawn any of the latter thus far. Anyway, it's nice to see that she's getting recognition over here as well <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>. I love the simplicity of her lines, yet the emotion that she evokes at the same time -- she doesn't overcrowd or dwell on something for too long, and thus I can see the rawness in her painting style, which is admirable. It's certainly effective for portraying all those dramatic, emotional scenes from 'The Silmarillion'.

by **JennyDolfen** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 1:15 pm

Hi guys! pxp directed me here, and I'd like to say thank you for the kind words and the criticism alike. I appreciate both. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I just posted in the "female Tolkien artists" thread as well, because what some of you said really made me think hard (about my style being reminiscent of anime/cartoon). But I'm VERY attached to my hairstyles and won't change those. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> (Much.)

by **Nár** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 1:23 pm

Hi Jenny, and welcome! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Your Nirnaeth Arnoediad picture is wonderful. edited because I can't spell <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0>

by **Giliath** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:51 pm

Hello Jenny! And welcome indeed to TORC! I'm always beyond pleased to discover a new artist who illustrates Tolkien so wonderfully especially one who works in the realm of The Silmarilion. You have created some beautiful work. Keep it coming! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> And they're perfectly nice haircuts. Don't you dare change them. We'll get used to Elves without flowing locks. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0>

by **NienorNiniel** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:32 am

Hi Jenny, and welcome to TORC! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I must say, I really admire your work. It's great having you here.

by **rowanberry** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:53 am

Welcome, Jenny! Great that you found your way here. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Your paintings are really good, and of course, you use the style you find your own. As for the hairstyles - I don't think they're much described anywhere, just in the HoME for some of the Elves; heck, it isn't even mentioned in the Sil that, Nerdanel and three of her sons had more or less red hair.

by **Giliath** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:16 pm

<a href='http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=57190' target=_blank>Oooooh</a> I quite like this one. Maedhros looks so wonderfully fierce. You certainly captured his burning spirit. The lines seem to be a bit softer to my eye as well, certainly in the horse. Very nice. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **JennyDolfen** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:37 pm

Gosh, I was just going to post, and you've already found it <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> I left out the lineart this time--as that was probably what causes the "cartoony" look. I quite like the result and I hope I'll soon remember again how to use light and shadow to define shape instead of lines... And if anyone sees anime in there, I'll draw you a chibi Maedhros. Just you wait. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **Giliath** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:47 pm

I'm quick. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> I quite like both styles. The lineart is more defined and controlled, which in no way is a bad thing. But when the lines are removed or blurred the composition becomes more fluid and certainly more lyrical. Which is quite evident in this new piece, especially in the horse as I said before. It comes down to taste and I think it wonderful that you can accomplish both styles. One is in no way more admirable than the other. I think a lot of artists find the line style a bit more comfortable. Probably stems from colouring books or some other childhood "colour inside the lines" lesson. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **NienorNiniel** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:00 pm

Yet another?! How fast is it you work, Jenny? <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> Loved how you've done the horse in that new painting.

The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring

The Silmarillion Series by Jenny Dolfen

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