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Post by Valandil on Mar 31, 2007 12:03:28 GMT
A thread for posting art inspired by Middle-Earth, and by members of this forum - whether relevant to RPG's here or otherwise. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OK - this first one, some of you may be interested in, as a representation of a special day back in '41 ( EDIT: I call it - "The Second Age Ends" ) :  It's just a rough sketch on the back of a sheet of legal paper (and you can tell I'd used the other side). But I was trying to work out how you might set up the composition for drawing this event - the Fall of Sauron (in 3441, Second Age). I placed the Men on the left (Isildur standing, with banner - Elendil attacking), and the Elves on the right (Gil-galad attacking - then Elrond & Cirdan - one with banner). Sauron's back is to us, so we don't have the problem of determining what his face looks like. |
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Post by Valandil on Mar 31, 2007 12:06:10 GMT
Gordis - you were right... it IS easy! (so easy... a HILLman could do it!  ;D  ) OK - for you fans of "Visitors" (which I still have to finish, btw) - here's a view of the Great Hall at Fornost. I did a sketch on paper, photocopied it, then used color markers. 
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Post by Valandil on Mar 31, 2007 12:09:21 GMT
OK... Brochenridge. This is large because I couldn't remember how to shrink it. I did this one on "butcher paper" - starting with a pencil sketch, colored pencils and then a little delineation with a pen.  |
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Post by Gordis on Mar 31, 2007 12:19:34 GMT
wow! but ...WOW!!!!
It is great that you finally managed the Photobucket - now we are able to see your works
You are a great artist Val, no kiddin'
I have never seen anything better than your Hall in Fornost - gourgeous!
And the Brockenridge fortress, also. And even the scetch with Sauron - you know how to draw human bodies and to capture the movement right. I wish I could do even remotely as good as you...
Now, you will have to draw some illustrations for the Shadow, if you ever have a spare moment! Please!!! *puppy eyes*
Love it!
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Post by Valandil on Mar 31, 2007 12:37:15 GMT
Ha! Then I'd REALLY have trouble posting! Maybe I'll try to toss one out now and then though. Well... we architects draw for a living. At least we used to, before everything went to the computers. It can still be a useful skill though - and fun. Oh - and this version of Brochenridge is only conceptual, so it doesn't have to be 'set in stone'. I just imagine a bulwark at a gap in a ridge of mountains - so that if you want to cross the mountains, you have to do it through here. Since the slope below would be somewhat steep, I came up with the dual front approaches to the side - with the outwork coming straight off the middle. That led me to an octagonal shape. This view is from the west/northwest - looking east/southeast - but the opposite view would be the same, since I think it's more or less symmetrical about the ridge. (and from my memory of LOTR, those ridges and valleys ran southwest to northeast, because the company had to cross them to go southeast). I'm not sure I like the sloped-back outer walls - might be less defensible. But when I tried straight-up or swept-out, it looked like Noah's Ark had landed in Rhudaur. ;D So - in this concept anyway, Brochenridge might have little to offer. No associated city or town - unless maybe something at the foot of the hill, in the valley below to the northwest. Maybe hard to access. Maybe some foes even captured one of the lookout towers above and took it apart - rolling the stones down on the fortress below.  What do you think of the layout itself? (not so much the drawing) - - - - - - - As for the others: "Fornost" - markers are a great medium, and they come in all kinds of colors for architects. I used to be very proficient at them, but have suffered a little from lack of practice. "End..." - thanks for the compliments. I used to draw people much better than buildings, but I've had too little opportunity to draw people in recent years (except that I still doodle in meetings ;D ). I actually want to do some sketches for my "Visitors" - some of Celepharn - and I did a pencil sketch long ago for the city of Fornost, but haven't taken it beyond there yet.  |
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Post by Rian on Mar 31, 2007 20:17:42 GMT
Very cool, Val! My favorite is the great hall one - I like your fire and the banner - I like how those are the only real colored things. Very nice!!! I'm terribly jealous! (can't draw worth beans  ) |
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Post by Gordis on Apr 1, 2007 18:48:54 GMT
Val, about re-sizing pics: what program do you use?
Do you have Adobe PhotoShop?
About Brochenridge. I like the fortress - very much so.
But I am surprised to see grassy or bare hills where there should be broken crags with gnarled trees or at leat heavily forested hills - at least that is how I see Rhudaur.
Also there was a ridge perhaps of almost equal height described in LOTR and here 2 very high hills with an easy pass in between...
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Post by Valandil on Apr 1, 2007 19:15:16 GMT
Val, about re-sizing pics: what program do you use? Do you have Adobe PhotoShop? About Brochenridge. I like the fortress - very much so. But I am surprised to see grassy or bare hills where there should be broken crags with gnarled trees or at leat heavily forested hills - at least that is how I see Rhudaur. Also there was a ridge perhaps of almost equal height described in LOTR and here 2 very high hills with an easy pass in between... Adobe something... not sure if it's photoshop (is there anything else?). I've used it with my avatars a little, but it's been awhile. I saw a "re-size" in the pull-downs, but the funny things: I cropped the Brochenridge picture and it got bigger (by KB's) - and then I cut the resolution a little, and that didn't seem to make a difference in size at all. I actually thought it would show up here VERY big - but it wasn't too bad. Brochenridge itself... that spot you describe in LOTR is exactly where I pictured it. Where Aragorn and the hobbits spent the night before they found the "stoned" trolls. As for the setting - For one, up high, there would be fewer trees. But also, I considered this just a sketch and didn't try to go for too much definition - especially on the surrounding features. Besides - I don't know if a particular type of feature (broken crags with gnarled trees) would have been a continuous, unbroken aspect of the entire landscape of Rhudaur east of Mitheithel and north of the Great Road. Anyway - glad you like it. |
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Post by Gordis on Apr 1, 2007 20:55:48 GMT
Ohh... yes, there are quite a few Adobe programs - for different tasks. Make sure which one you use , then I could give you some advice. Photoshop is the most handy, once you get used to it. See what it can do?  And it took me about 10 min. |
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Post by Witch-king of Angmar on Apr 2, 2007 20:57:15 GMT
Val,
These pictures are great. I was unaware that you were an architect, but after I saw the "Great Hall at Fornost," I had a hunch you might be, or had received art training. Your depth, dimension and perception are really great.
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;D 
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