Tolkien Etchings

This self-portrait was made at the same time I first conceived of doing a series of etchings based on the writing of J.R.R.Tolkien, author of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, to which this web site is dedicated. I was a junior in college, and since I liked making etchings so much, I was much taking advanced printmaking for double credit. It was 1972, and I had just finished reading The Lord of the Rings for the fifth time. I really like this old piece, it is very spontaneous, with all that wild hair. Also I find all the false-bite, especially that around the hair to add a raw, lively quality to the piece. I used to take plates, already prepared with a ground, home with me. It was late at night, my roommates were asleep. As I walked past the bathroom, I saw my reflection with this strange shadow on my face, and immediately drew it. Considering the difficulties I had early in life, it now seems very appropriate.