//“You might try to aim at the target this time.” Maedhros chuckled in mockery, as he watched his young cousin with judgement like that of an older brother. “Or would you want me to show you, yet again?” Fingon snorted humourlessly through clenched teeth as he drew the arrow to his ear as taught, the exertion of the act making the muscles of his shoulder and arm vibrate in objection after many such motions. The last arrow he had imbedded but a hand-length from the mark, and the frustration was clear in his tightened jaw and narrowingeyes. The young elf inhaled deeply, this time determined to shoot straight. He exhaled slowly, releasing the arrow to fly through the air as the last of his breath left his lunges. It hit the mark with a twack as the metal tip drove into the plate of straw with force. Fingon exclaimed in a cry of victory, and turned to his cousin with a smug grin stapled on his face. “What were you saying, cousin? Perhaps you should not be so swift to disregard my quickness in learning.” Maedhros raised a brow unimpressed. “This is a testimate to my teachings, if anything. If I can teach you, then your baby sister will be next. It will not be so much harder a task, I should think.” He flashed Fingon a challenging grin. The youngster grimaced mockingly in return and held out his hand. “Be quiet and give me another arrow, old man.”//
(I wrote the text now to go with the drawing and to underline my idea; it is rushed but I liked it.)
Idea Do not ask me how this idea came into my mind, but I enjoyed drawing it thoroughly. I simply loved the idea of a fully matured Maedhros teaching his adolescent cousin to shoot with bow and arrow. My last time of reading the silmarillion I understood that at the time of Finwe’s remariage with Indis, Fëanor was already grown and married to Nerdanel, so he would get Maedhros at aprox the time that Indis would have Fingolfin, which would mean that Fingon is quite younger than Maedhros. I do not know in years, but I’d guess half a dozen decades at least. So, it is definitely a headcanon of mine that Mae would enjoy the tutoring of his younger cousin. He always seemed the most sympathetic of the Feanorians, especially in his friendship with Fingon.
Some of you may also know that I have a headcanon of the dress evolution of the elves through the ages. In early Valinor I imagine them wearing something like the ancient egyptians did, it being a land of beauty and comfort, I see it as sunny and warm, even before the rising of the sun. So that is the explanation for their attires. There is nothing sexual about it.
Technique I drew this exclusively with an 8H pencil, and tuned the contrast some in photoshop after scanning–btw, if anyone has a good scanner to recommend, which is not too expensive, I would gladly hear it as mine is terrible. I used a smudge stick for the shading, and it was indeed my first attempt at using one, so I instantly fell in love with the technique, so the shading was a surprisingly easy process, even with the two months grace period–which is my way of categorising my terrible anxiety of finishing drawings I have used much too long time on. The anatomy obviously is not perfect, but this is still one of the best drawings I have made with two people in it–I even drew feet! YAY! And of course I managed to misplace them on the page so I could not finish the top of Fingon’s bow and the end of Maedhros’. But I could still stare at them both all day, as they turned out perfectly to my vision(!!). Conclusion It awes me whenever I don’t hate what I draw, and lately I have hated very little of my art. It is slightly unsettling, to be honest, and it makes me put a lot of pressure on my art, which in return makes me procrastinate. Its a bad circle, but I do love this drawing, with all its flaws, and I was very happy and excited to finish it. It is rather sketchy in style, but I like that as well, and I enjoyed drawing something completely different for once.
I hope you like it too, and let me know what you think, of the idea and the drawing!^^
Love, Iggy
PS. I cannot stress enough that I do not ship them romantically, and I would very much appreciate if you do not sexualize this drawing of mine. I respect that people have different impressions than me, but I also hope you will respect mine and focus on the art itself. Thank you! <3
I don’t mean to sound like a cliche, but I seriously had not expected this drawing to be so good so quickly… I am absolutely in love!!
I fixed Mae’s face, which was most crucial to me, and then the shading took a life if its own.
I can’t wait to add a bit more details and finish this shortly! It will not have more background than this, but I think the two of them looks complex enough for me to get away with!
Despite the bad positioning on the page, and the struggle to make the two of them correct compared to each other, I’m rather happy with this rough sketch of Maedhros and Fingon!
It’s still early, so I’m not sure how far I’ll take it yet, but it felt good to draw my favorite elves again!
(And Maedhros and Fingons friendship will always get me! I imagine this scene where Maedhros teaches Fingon to shoot, being the eldest!) ✨
I really can’t express how much I love this drawing, and how happy it makes me to finally be inspired again. It’s been a while since I have been this inspired to draw, and especially anything Tolkien, so I am very excited!
I haven’t told you about the idea behind the drawing, but this seems the perfect timing. You see, when the couple meet and they freeze for years, I imagine how the forest grows in around them, that vines envelop them, like statues in an old graveyard, which also inspired me to use Greek style for their clothes, as if they are statues themselves. I really love the idea, which is why I have such a strong inspiration for this now, I never was able to draw anything without a very clear idea, so hopefully this opens for more ideas to come for more Tolkien art! ✨
So, guys, I know it’s been a while since my last post, but tbh I have been focused on my original work and it doesn’t seem it’s all that interesting to you, so I keep all of that art over at my Instagram (if you are interested, go check out my account, IngvildSchageArt).
Some days ago I held a poll there and they wanted me to redraw my old Thingol and Melian drawing, so I have been planning and here is the first wip, a very light sketch drawn with 8H pencil, using references from the Art Model app and I really like the look of it so far.
The idea I have always had is that Maiar are taller than Elves, the way elves are taller than humans, and I really love to see the height difference between them, here at the moment of their meeting! I wanted something soft and romantic, and a change on the usual profile drawing I always do.. (It was also something of a curious coincidence that Valentine’s right around the corner.)
Let me know what you think, and I’ll try to keep you posted on the progress, but there’s lots of stuff happening now so I’m not certain how much I’ll be able to draw in the days ahead! Still, I love to hear from you guys, even if I have been total awol lately, but your comments make me want to hang out here more so you know what to do!
Today I posted this oldie as a #fanartfriday on Instagram, and joked that I’d been wanting to renew it and make it into a painting.
Turns out, the way to get inspiration to draw more fanart, is to post old fanart! I found that I couldn’t go another day before actually trying for the painting, so here is the sketch planning it. (No they are not supposed to be naked, but I couldn’t bother with the clothes in first round, and I don’t complain honestly, so in love with Maglor, it’s not good! )
I also added the hair color roughly to make it easier to see who’s who, and I also tried to make their expressions and grief kind of symbolise their personalities, and I’m quite happy with how individual they all are! (And yes, only one twin, had no room for a second )
From left: Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, Maglor , Curufin and Amrod/Amras(whichever twin survived the burning ships in that one version ). And obviously Feanor is hanging between them . -
I am really really loving how much it has evolved from the original. Obviously a scene like this is a lot easier to draw digitally, but still, I feel I’ve evolved a lot in two years (I better have, right) and I honestly can’t wait to develop this sketch more!!!✨
From an oil flask (lekythos) with the hunter Kephalos and his dog by the Pan Painter, c. 470 B.C. Original below the cut.
[Image ID: adaptation of a Greek vase painting. Celegorm from Tolkien’s legendarium is standing in front of a large dog holding a spear in one hand and a club in the other. He wears a red cloak with a Star of Fëanor on it. He has a long white braid and pointed ear.]
And in Utumno Melkor gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption.
In seven hours the glory of each tree waxed to full and waned again to naught; and each awoke once more to life an hour before the other ceased to shine. Thus in Valinor twice every day there came a gentle hour of softer light.
Hi! I would like to add or share something more about these illustrations here if you mind:
Maitimo/Maedhros: Here I drew toddler Maitimo eating a snack while holding his mother’s(Nerdanel) hand. Since, little Mae is the first born, I imagine Nerdanel giving her full attention to her son throughout his childhood. Her and little Mae going outside or just at the garden, while his feet touch the green grasses, and Nerdanel always assisting or holding his hand sometimes just to keep him from falling is one of those bonding examples.
Makalaurë/Maglor: The family realized the second son’s fascination towards music and his potential when they observed how Maglor gets enthusiastic whenever the minstrels play and sing songs everytime they’re in a feast or gathering. He’s very eager to listen or sing along even though he’s still young enough to know most words the grown ups are singing. In this part I had an idea where a couple of minstrels, as permitted by King Finwe, played beside or infront of Maglor and the little prince loved every single bit of it.
Tyelkormo/Celegorm: “Tyelkormo’s a little rascal!” I can see Nerdanel describing her third son like that. Little Tyelko is a child full of unimaginable amount of energy. He sure loves to wander around, to the point he gets lost often. Once disappeared during an outdoor event, enough to create a commotion in the family only to be found in the middle of the forest with woodland creatures around him after a few long hours of searching. Of course he got scolded. Ever since then, Feanor ordered(especially to the servants) that his third son must be kept on watch for the whole day.
Carnistir/Caranthir: Little Carnistir is actually a well-behaved young child. Finwe often mused how the fourth son has the most observant eyes of all. He likes being with Maedhros and Maglor all the time and will usually go to them whenever their mother is busy.
Atarincë/Curufin: Feanor once caught him peeking outside the doorway and in the end invited him inside. Later he showed him the gems he’s working on and soon enough as he observed his son’s constant focus towards his tools, he realizes they could share the same interest towards crafting.
Umbarto/Ambarto+Ambarussa/Amrod+Amras: Just like Celegorm, these two mischievous princes also have the abundant energy to wander around, but luckily, not so much as going far away from the castle or from the adults like their older brother used to. Out of all of them, the twins were considered the most playful, cheerful, giggly, and affectionate to others. They almost always do everything and anything together wherever they are.
Finally got to finish this piece ^^ I hope you guys like this radiant concept for him ^^
This must be the most vibrant(softly vibrant, which is very good in the eyes) and fab version of Melkor that I ever seen in all my years of being exposed to Melkor fanartworks and without any doubt I consider this as a masterpiece.
Celebrimor commissioned by wonderfuly patient@naryaflame , as an illustration to her fanfiction. I havn’t been vvery active on the internet since summer started (that sweet sweet hospitality job) but I am still doing my best
