THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Shadow of the Past
Pen on Reeves BFK
19 x 24 inches
My latest drawing in my series based on the Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other works by J.R.R.Tolkien “The Shadow of the Past”, depicts the moment when Frodo having just been told by Gandalf the truth about Bilbo’s ring, begins to realize the magnitude of the danger that he and everyone in hobbiton are in. I have always enjoyed Tolkien’s image of the dark, cloud-like hand reaching out from Mordor and Sauron, and threatening to engulf Frodo, and this was one of the main elements that inspired this piece. Though I think it works well as a pen drawing, this piece also has the chiaroscuro that makes me definitely want to do it as an etching.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
The idea with the hand was very cool and creepy. Like Sauron has just sensed the ring in Frodo’s and his malice and shadow will haunt Frodo throghout the journey.
Sauron has always been a favortie villan of mine. Only his Eye and his hand are ever described in looks but he still inspires so much terror.