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Description

The Flame of Udûn (2022). One of the most iconic scenes in the Lord of the Rings, finished at last. What do you think about my depiction?

I chose this very formal, symmetrical composition because I think it is really fitting for this scene, drawing the attention to the momentary standoff in the middle of this lofty hall. I like such symmetry, I have used it many times in my pictures.

As for the appearance of the Balrog, it is very interesting to think how my vision of Balrogs changed over time. I used to be somewhat influenced by the Peter Jackson movies, but it gradually changed (no wings) and even as I was working on this current picture I clarified my vision of the Balrog further, rejecting more beastly elements and making the figure more human-like. Unsurprisingly, I didn't want to draw wings, but I attempted to draw the wing-like shadow about the Balrog as black darkness obscuring the columns behind.

Designing the architecture of the hall, I tried to make a compromise between the Art-Deco-like dwarven architecture established by Alan Lee and the nature-reminiscent description in the book ("carved like boles of mighty trees"). I kept it mostly angular, but I designed a complex vault with flying ribs that hopefully resemble tree branches. It was fun (and needed some spatial imagination) to design this vault, although not much of it is seen in the finished picture.

If you want to read more about my process, I explain all of that in a post on my Patreon page , so you can read it there.

Here is the passage from the book:

"Something was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.

It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs. (...)

The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm.

J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings. Book II. Chapter 5, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Description

The Flame of Udûn (2022). One of the most iconic scenes in the Lord of the Rings, finished at last. What do you think about my depiction?

I chose this very formal, symmetrical composition because I think it is really fitting for this scene, drawing the attention to the momentary standoff in the middle of this lofty hall. I like such symmetry, I have used it many times in my pictures.

As for the appearance of the Balrog, it is very interesting to think how my vision of Balrogs changed over time. I used to be somewhat influenced by the Peter Jackson movies, but it gradually changed (no wings) and even as I was working on this current picture I clarified my vision of the Balrog further, rejecting more beastly elements and making the figure more human-like. Unsurprisingly, I didn't want to draw wings, but I attempted to draw the wing-like shadow about the Balrog as black darkness obscuring the columns behind.

Designing the architecture of the hall, I tried to make a compromise between the Art-Deco-like dwarven architecture established by Alan Lee and the nature-reminiscent description in the book ("carved like boles of mighty trees"). I kept it mostly angular, but I designed a complex vault with flying ribs that hopefully resemble tree branches. It was fun (and needed some spatial imagination) to design this vault, although not much of it is seen in the finished picture.

If you want to read more about my process, I explain all of that in a post on my Patreon page , so you can read it there.

Here is the passage from the book:

"Something was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.

It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs. (...)

The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm.

J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings. Book II. Chapter 5, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm