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Illustrating the Character within Tolkien's Tales... - The Women Artists - A Special Report
April 8, 2004
Submitted By ElvenArcher
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"Visiting Shadowfax" by Anke Eissmann
"Eissmann, Chmiel and Dolfen...they all manage to capture character in a very special way." says TORC message board poster 'NienorNiniel.' "Many male artists paint people just as people. These three women do not only show the person, but also how he or she feels, the spirit, who this is. Just as Tolkien wrote it."
"Who?" many might ask. Who are Eissmann, Chmiel, and Dolfen? Fans of Tolkien's works are often familiar with the illustrators Howe, Lee, Nasmith, as well as a few other artists who's work has appeared in Tolkien books, calendars, and posters. Certainly Lee's water colors, Howe's battle scenes, and Nasmith's MiddleEarthscapes are well known and admired by Tolkien fans.
But among the Tolkien illustrators used by the publishing companies, it seems there are few, if any, women artists.
Nazgul flee Crickhollow by Toni-Marie Hudson"I think it's just coincidence that the three biggest Tolkien artists (Howe, Lee and Nasmith) happen to be male." says TORC poster 'Lalatiel'. "There are plenty of excellent female artists out there, like Anke [Eissman], and many, many more... Anna Baldassare, Hope Hoover and Toni-Marie Hudson..."
"I guess that, the publishers only tend to use the works of a few artists - mostly Alan Lee, John Howe, and Ted Nasmith - because these ones have already established their position as noted Tolkien artists. That hasn't happened to most of the female artists yet....It may be just a question of time," says TORC message board poster 'Rowenberry'
Tolkien fan Thomas Streeten says: "I find that both genders draw pictures based on what draws them into Tolkien's works. Generally speaking, male artists such as John Howe and Alan Lee focus more on the world of Middle Earth, the architecture, the landscapes and interpretations of its creatures. Female artists, I would argue, are drawn into Tolkien through the characters and thus they focus on the nobility and beauty of the people that live in Middle Earth"
Beleg's death by Anke Eissman"My opinion of the male vs. female artists is that, men tend to focus on "big" events and action, whereas women focus on characters, and find a lot to portray in the more quiet moments of the story, or even in failure and defeat." continues 'Rowanberry'. " Look at, for example, Anke's Túrin after accidentally having killed Beleg, Jenny's Fingon slain, or Catherine Chmiel's Faramir saying farewell to Boromir, who is leaving for Rivendell"
"Certainly the female illustrators tend, in general, to focus on character and emotional interaction more than many of the more well known male illustrators do." says message board poster 'Elmtree'. "Catherine Chmiel's 'The Rescue of Maedhros from Thangorodrim' illustrates an epic story from the Silmarillion, yet the piece captures not only the action, but the faces and emotions of the characters involved, with great intensity. I was not very interested in reading the Silmarillion before I saw that bit of artwork. But in a flash, it grabbed me. The suffering and intensity of the piece made me want to know WHO these characters were, and what happened to them.."
TORC message board poster 'Yvanna' had a similar experience: "Anke's Faramir really makes me appreciate him deeper. When I saw her Faramir, I was inspired to get to know the character better. Just like both artist's (Chmiel and Eissmann) art made some people read the Sil."
We give you some samples of the works of women Tolkien illustrators on this page. And in the following weeks, we hope to feature some of them individually, displaying more of their artwork, and learning how they were drawn into illustrating Tolkien's works.
Finrod dreaming by the waters of Sirion by Jenny Dolfen
And Maglor took Pity on Them by Catherine Karina Chmiel
Luthien prepares her escape from Hirilorn by Anke Eissmann
Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears by Jenny Dolfen
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... 11 Comments
I couldn't agree more. The depth that these artists show in their characters is remarkable. I like to say that there is an incredible amount behind the paper. I look forward to seeing the pieces on each artist in turn.
Comment by Giliath - April 8, 2004 @ 12:14 PM
love the pics!
Comment by Celebrindal_14 - April 8, 2004 @ 12:54 PM
Great work, EA. I hope many people read this article and checks out the paintings.
Comment by NienorNiniel - April 9, 2004 @ 12:14 AM
Great article, EA.
Comment by Ornendil - April 9, 2004 @ 1:16 PM
Glad you're shedding some light on these talented, but often overlooked (by the mainstream) artists. Thank you!
H.R.
Comment by Harpist_of_Rohan - April 9, 2004 @ 2:14 PM
I'm glad to hear these wonderful artists are finally being duly praised! I love them, especially Eissmann and Dolfen.
Comment by nerdanel14 - April 10, 2004 @ 3:58 PM
The Queen of Denmark, that made so many illustrations to Tolkiens books.
And Inger Edelfeldt a swedish very skilled illustrator and author. Her "Legolas" is the best one ever done!
/IAk
Comment by Iak - April 11, 2004 @ 1:11 PM
I tend to agree with EA. It seems to me that more women artists focus on looking into the characters, rather than just depicting a scene. Alas, it seems to be accepted that only men are recognised by the publishing houses at the moment. Perhaps that will change soon.
Cheers
Comment by LadyCoralie - May 7, 2004 @ 1:37 PM
A swell little article. I frankly wish that the movies had been directed by a woman.
Comment by naurghash - May 18, 2004 @ 5:08 AM
this is cool. i have never really thought of it that way. but i can imagine that women would do so, because we are more emotional than men. i agree with naurghash. it would have been cool to see what would have happened.
Comment by LadyKatherine - July 31, 2004 @ 5:07 PM
Well this sure is an interesting little article. I never really give it much thought until I read this. Yes, very true indeed, women artists tend to focus more on the character rather than the action and scene (something that I've just discovered). I have seen some works from the male artists and I have to say that the scenes and landscapes are drawn to great detail and they are simply breathtaking, but the only thing that lacked is the emotions on the character’s face.
When I first stepped into the gallery section, the pictures drawn by female artists are just full of emotions. The pictures actually made me understand more of the situation and the feelings of the characters. Hmm, how would it be like if a male and female artists work together, is it even possible? That would be interesting and I can’t imagine how great is the masterpiece.
Comment by Hana - November 8, 2004 @ 2:02 AM