J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator

by Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull, J.R.R. Tolkien (Illustrator)

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) renowned author of THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE SILMARILLION, was an artist in pictures as well as in words. Though he often remarked that he had no talent for drawing, his art has charmed his readers and has been exhibited to large and appreciative audiences the world over. In fact, his talent was far more than he admitted, and his sense of design was natural and keen.
J.R.R. TOLKIEN: ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR explores Tolkien's art at length, from his childhood paintings and drawings to his final sketches. At its heart are his illustrations for his books, especially his tales of Middle-earth. Also examined are the pictures Tolkien made for his children, his expressive calligraphy, his love of decoration, and his contributions to the typography and design of his books.
With 200 reproductions, many in full colour, this lavishly-produced book offers a perfect opportunity for anyone wishing to discover a largely unexplored aspect of J.R.R. Tolkien's character.

Genres: Art, Fantasy, Fiction, Reference, Science Fiction Fantasy, Writing, Speculative Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Wayne G. Hammond was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in the suburb of Brooklyn. In 1975 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, where he majored in English. In 1976 he received his Master of Arts in Library Science degree from the School of Library Science of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and from that year has been Assistant Librarian in the Chapin Library (rare books and manuscripts) at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He married Christina Scull in December 1994. His publications include The Graphic Art of C.B. Falls (1982), J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography (1993), and Arthur Ransome: A Bibliography (2000). He is also the co-author or co-editor with his wife of numerous works by and about J.R.R. Tolkien, and has designed a wide variety of books, exhibition catalogues, posters, and other printed materials. He has won a Clyde S. Kilby Research Grant from the Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College, and is a five-time winner of scholarship awards from the Mythopoeic Society.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I wrote a paper about Tolkien's art for a history of illustration class, and the TA came up to me and said in this sympathetic voice, "Oh, but he wasn't actually an artist." If only I had been holding this book at the time so I could shove it in her face.

PS: Later the professor read part of my paper to the class because it was just that good, haha.

PS #2: As regards the actual book, it's a great history of Tolkien's art, with a lot of lovely images. He was a better writer than artist, it's true, but I think there's something really interesting about seeing a writer's own interpretations of their written works. It's like the truest form of fanart. I feel similar warm fuzzies when I see JK Rowling's own illustrations.

[Nikola Pavlovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ranije sam shvatao proporcije neraskidive veze medju Tolkinovim stvaralastvom, onim pisanim i onim oslikanim rukom. Ali nakon ove knjige ta veza mi je daleko jasnija. Oba ova vida stvaralastva dolaze iz jednog centra i iz jedne te iste iskre zasluzne za sve ono sto danas mozemo nazvati Tolkinovim Legendarijumom.

[Samantha B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and scholarly look at Tolkien's art! It was well-organized, full of pictures, and well-thought-out.

Also, if anything, it made me love Tolkien more--we share a love of art coupled with the complete (and most likely false) certainty that we can't draw. And it was so fun to see some of his preliminary childhood/YA work, as well as his LOTR and Hobbit sketches (some of which were so like my imaginings it was creepy) and other Middle-Earth-related work.

Four stars!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book in the Western Michigan University library in the process of my search for books on Tolkien's works. It caught my attention because while I considered Tolkien to be the best author of the twentieth century, I had had no idea that he was an artist. This book is filled with full color plates of Tolkien's original artwork, and each chapter focuses on different aspects of his style, influences, techniques, and areas of focus. I learned quite a bit about the things that Tolkien considered the most important in his writing through the reading about and viewing of his artwork. I would seriously recommend this book to anyone who is either casually or academically interested in Tolkien's works.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like in our culture there is a need to divide artists solely into one camp. An artist cannot write, a writer cannot be a singer, a chef cannot also be a sculptor, and so on until the examples pile up. Yet this does artists disservice because it limits their capacity for expression one sole means, and as Wayne G. Hammond demonstrates in this book the mettle of an artist is made in the way they express themselves, not solely in the single format they traditionally do it.

J.R.R. Tolkien has established a modern aesthetic and mythos through his writing, he's created his own language to accompany this universe, but what sometimes gets forgotten is that the man could also draw. This book was a eye opening experience because, through a careful study of his artwork over the course of his entire life, one can observe how his art served not only as a companion to his writing, but also as a kind of collaborative function. Whether it was his maps, his landscapes, or his interiors of the great halls, Tolkien managed to create Middle Earth as a functioning reality. Hammond shows his reader how each of Tolkien's drawings helped establish his aesthetic, but also how it contributed to the larger creation of Middle Earth and the accompanying mythos.

And just so it's clear, this is an art book dedicated to the art it's trying to bring attention to. Almost every page of this book contains work by Tolkien, accompanied with dates, bibliographic information, and accompanying analysis of the artists growing talent. This is a book dedicated to Tolkien's visual style and reveals that the man was not only a great writer, but also an accomplished artist who experimented with line, texture, color, and form over a long life of fruitful productivity.

Of course I'm biased. I love Lord of the Rings. But as a writer and as an artist, I appreciated the role this book had in further rekindling my love for Tolkien. This book is beautiful from the beginning to the very end and the reader would be foolish not to take the opportunity to read this work.

Mountains, Eagles, dragons, rivers, and even simple patterns are enough to be reminded that Tolkien was never just one thing. Like any true artist, the man contained multitudes.

[Daniel Ionson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not one of those compilations of pictures with some perfunctory text to pass off as a "book." The writers offer some great information and insights regarding JRRT as a visionary. I highly recommend this.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

I loved gaining this insight into Tolkien's illustrations and artwork--as well as their context. I'd love to own this book for future reference. Tolkien was one seriously talented man.

[Tanja Špes · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Med platnicami te knjige sem se namenoma zadrževala dolgo. Brala počasi, si ogledovala ilustracije, mape in skice. Nisem vedela, da je Tolkien ilustriral, presenetila pa me je tudi razsežnost njegovih ilustracij - v knjigi so vključene (200) opisane, hkrati pa so vključeni nekateri citati iz Tolkienovih knjig, pisem itd. Zraven knjige sem si delala zemljevid krajev, ki jih je Tolkien obiskal, sposodila pa sem si tudi njegovo biografijo - ta knjiga me je z drobci pritegnila tako, da sem želela o Tolkienu podrobneje brati. Bom z veseljem prelistala še večkrat, ker uau!

[Kathrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a wealth of beautiful drawings and paintings, accompanied by well-written analysis and background information. There's also sketches, patterns and doodles, anecdotes etc. I loved it.

[Estrella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I am biased when it comes down to anything by/about Tolkien, but this was very impressive and beautiful.

[Yazir Paredes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few times your favorite writer is also a(n amateur) painter. This is great, especially in fantasy. This allows us to peek into his mind and "see" what he was thinking. This is the first standout from the book. Now add a couple of writers with close knowledge of the subject, adding fact and commentaries to help the precisely understanding of each picture. So this is what you get in this book. If you like Tolkien biographies, or want to get deeper into Middle Earth, this is the book for you.

[Lino Matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
1995
This is a book that opens many windows into the mind, work and art of Tolkien. It helps address how he went about his craft of revealing the world of and around Middle-Earth.
That I like Tolkien as a writer is no secret to those that know me. Certain people even had to pass a Tolkien test before they were allowed into the family. Others protested that we took them out of school to catch LOTR movies at their initial matinees.
However, when the authors say that Tolkien’s art matched his writing - well that is a little much for me.
What I will agree is that Tolkien’s imagination was only surpassed by Tolkien. His art – whether in words or in illustration was almost ‘historical’ in depth and complexity. I think the man must have been of the same vein.
It was a fun sojourn into the world of Tolkien – I acquired this book long ago, but only really read it recently. Life is like that. It is a good companion. I think that I will have to revisit The Hobbit soon and some of the other tales and essays that Tolkien wrote and some of the other works that influenced him.
Who wants to know about the Blue and Red Wizards?

Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo

PS: This is another in my series of Sunday Thoughts, it is a peak into the doings of a great creative mind!
https://wordpress.com/post/linomatteo...

[Chiara Rizzarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revisiting part of my Tolkien collection, this is one of my favourite books by the great scholars that are Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull. It explores the figure of the Professor from an angle that's not very often considered: that of the artist. Flip through this and you'll discover another aspect of this man's eclectic mind. The non-Middle-earth works are absolutely stunning and particularly interesting.

[Ovi Buciu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at Tolkien’s art (largely unknown but surprisingly accomplished)! Made me appreciate more of his creative process, and also the work put in by others who have tried to bring his Middle-earth to life.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good.

[Skooma Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful look at Tolkien's paintings for his legendarium.

[Stuart Mccaskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at Tolkien's art, though the layout is a bit haphazard at times.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork/illustrations paired with insightful analysis. I enjoyed seeing the stages of his work, especially when compared with the stages of his tales and the additional insights found in his letters. Lovely. I don't typically seek out or enjoy books about artwork, but in this case it certainly added to my understanding and view of Middle Earth and allowed me to see Tolkien's other works. I gleamed from this that it is of utmost importance to see it as it comes to your mind,and I enjoyed his renditions (which at times were not much different than I originally imagined).

[Marilou]

I am fascinated by Tolkien's watercolour artwork and it is well featured in this book. I learned a lot about his early works and his process of illustrating The Hobbit. The authors emphasize the fact that Tolkien was insecure about his own work. Some people criticized his illustrations of The Hobbit for being imperfect. This is what makes them interesting in my opinion. I was disappointed to learn that he stopped making watercolour artwork after this project. I wished to see more of it.

[Tommy Grooms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of Tolkien's artwork. His writing deservedly gets the lion's share of praise and attention, but the man was not only immensely talented as an artist, but accomplished. Some of his artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and deserves a lot more attention both on its own merit and for its role in creating his written works.

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely collection of Tolkien's artworks. I knew he'd done some drawings for his fantasy books, but didn't know that he had produced such a large body of paintings and drawings. And he's good at it, too.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book, a must for any Tolkien fan wanting more insight into the Professor’s creations. My only niggle is the layout of the illustrations- many times the text discussing a painting was several pages away from the plate with the painting, necessitating much flipping around.

[The Adaptable Educator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull’s J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator (1995) offers a magisterial exploration of Tolkien’s visual creativity, positioning his artwork not as ancillary curiosities but as integral expressions of his mythopoetic vision. Rather than treating the illustrations as mere complements to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Hammond and Scull frame Tolkien’s art as an extension of his literary imagination, demonstrating how his sketches, paintings, and calligraphy informed and enriched his storytelling. By compiling nearly two hundred images—over half previously unpublished—and providing meticulous commentary, the editors invite readers to view Tolkien as both a textual and visual artisan whose artistic sensibilities shaped Middle-earth’s geography, heraldry, and aesthetic sensibility.

Contextualizing Tolkien’s Visual Imagination
Tolkien’s reluctance to claim professional status as an artist is well documented; he famously dismissed his own drafts while exhibiting a keen sense of design rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement and medieval manuscript traditions. Yet his “ishnesses”—a category of imaginative, abstract watercolours such as Undertenishness and Grownupishness—reveal a symbolic vocabulary that parallels his prose’s mythic aspirations . In tracking these early “visions, myths, and legends,” Hammond and Scull demonstrate how Tolkien’s pictorial experiments prefigure the landscapes of Faërie and the architectural forms of Minas Tirith and Orthanc. By situating Tolkien’s art in relation to his philological and literary pursuits, the book underscores that, for Tolkien, visual and verbal modes of creation were inextricably linked.

Structure and Content Overview
The volume’s organization reflects a chronological and thematic approach. The opening chapter surveys Tolkien’s early landscapes and domestic scenes—rural vistas, collegiate architecture, and ephemeral portraits—many rendered during his adolescence and university years. Following this is the pivotal “Visions, Myths, and Legends” section, which assembles works from The Book of Ishness and early Silmarillion-related sketches. These are presented alongside annotations that trace how specific images—such as the Halls of Manwë and the dragon Glórund—anticipated characters, toponyms, and narratives later crystallized in Tolkien’s legendarium. Subsequent chapters focus on the art produced for Tolkien’s children (Letters from Father Christmas, Mr. Bliss), illustrating his playful, familial side and his facility with calligraphy and decorative borders.
The heart of the book is occupied by extensive sections devoted to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Here, the editors reproduce every published illustration and, notably, many successive drafts—ranging from initial pencil sketches to finished watercolors—that elucidate Tolkien’s iterative process. The dust jacket panoramas for The Hobbit, for instance, are dissected to reveal how the mountainscapes and hilltop views evolved over multiple versions before achieving their iconic forms. An ending chapter examines Tolkien’s patterned designs and heraldic devices—ranging from Elvish staves to the Tree of Amalion—situating them within medieval manuscript precedents as well as Tolkien’s own invented symbology. An appendix devoted to calligraphy underscores Tolkien’s exceptional skill in lettering, highlighting how his scripts and ornamental capitals contribute to the books’ immersive medieval ambience .

Scholarly Apparatus and Editorial Rigor
One of the most striking aspects of Hammond and Scull’s work is their meticulous research. Their commentary often pinpoints the precise topographical inspirations for Tolkien’s field sketches, identifying actual hilltops, forest clearings, and collegiate rooftops that informed Middle-earth’s landscapes For instance, the authors trace “Gilfanon’s house at Tavrobel” back to the Gipsy Green area familiar to Tolkien during his childhood in Birmingham, illuminating how real-world settings were subsumed into legendarium locales. The comprehensive notes not only cite archives in Oxford and Marquette University but also cross-reference earlier publications, ensuring that each image is contextualized in the broader corpus of Tolkien studies. This level of scholarly precision renders the volume indispensable for researchers interested in the interplay between Tolkien’s visual and textual creativity.

Critical Evaluation
Hammond and Scull succeed admirably in establishing Tolkien’s art as a legitimate field of academic inquiry. Their lavish reproductions (105 in color) offer clarity and fidelity surpassing earlier collections like Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien (1979). While some fine details—such as the faint facial features on the sun in one watercolour—may require close scrutiny, the authors warn readers to examine plates with care, thus fostering an active engagement with each work. Moreover, the judicious selection of previously unpublished pieces grants fresh insights; the inclusion of undersea vistas for Roverandom and alternative Orthanc designs, for example, enriches our understanding of Tolkien’s evolving visual strategies.

[Gille Liath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suddenly realised that I actually do rate Tolkien's art, when I realised I was missing it from a copy of The Hobbit which did not have the original illustrations. And having got this book, I realise now that his simple, child-like style was not forced on him by lack of ability - he actually was a pretty fair painter in the conventional style - but was a deliberate choice. As with the likes of Picasso and Lowry, he had simplified and stylised in order to get a certain effect - in his case, a kind of clear, classic, ordered, wholesome beauty which yet often has an undercurrent of mystery and spiritual significance. I feel it has something in common with the medieval religious paintings he admired, and the Byzantine tradition of icon painting, and also the paintings of Blake.

I don't want to claim that he was any sort of artistic genius. There does remain something twee and slightly comical about many of his efforts and, whilst this is sometimes appropriate to the subject, it is sometimes not. It is usually the little foreground figures that let him down: witness the cover pic, 'Taniquetil', in which the swan-prowed elven ship included for scale gives the rather unfortunate impression of a rubber duck in the bath. As an artist what he liked, and was good at, was a spectacular location; neither figures nor action were strengths of his. But, without a doubt, his illustrations of his own books have something, a soulfulness, that later professional efforts have lacked.

The book itself is decent, with plenty of good full-colour reproductions; the text is helpful and shows a due respect for the place of T's art in his overall achievement. Like most art books, though, it would have been better if the authors had cut the cackle and left room for more of the pics to be printed full-page - only a few get the benefit of this. In any art book, the number, quality and size of the illustrations is everything - the text authors should realise that their contribution is secondary at best.

PS They puzzle over a pair of 'mood' pictures, 'Before' and 'Afterwards' - the former an image of threat and fear, the latter one of cool calm. Tolkien was not a 'visionary' in any remotely literal sense, his mind was not given to abstractions or flights of psychedelic fancy; its thoughts always seem to have had a specific meaning; and, to the knower of his mind and his life the answer is surely not far to seek: going to Confession. These and similar pictures are an intriguing glimpse into the soul of an artist who generally gave away very little of his private thoughts and feelings, and they hint at there being more to him than the respectable stuffed tweed jacket.

[Logan Agnew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was fun to sort of see how Tolkien’s artistic skills developed and changed over time, and the analysis from the authors was incredible. It was interesting to learn about the professor, but not about his life or writings, but how his life and writings affected his art. Overall, super interesting, even though it could be a little dense at times. The illustrations are straight gorgeous, and I’m very glad I read through the whole thing!

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chock full of pictures, well over a hundred of them, and each is lovingly discussed. The authors walk us through Tolkien's entire life through his drawings, discussing his life, the development of his artistic style, and the drawings' ties to the works we love. It is probably more of a picture book than something to read straight through, but the prose shows great knowledge of not only Tolkien's art but his life and his written work.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea that Tolkien had illustrated his own books, let alone that he created other art as well. So much of it is really good too! I was very impressed. I also appreciated that the book included unfinished pieces and drafts he did which showed his creative process. I would encourage all Tolkien fans to at least flip through the pictures.

[Ancillar Bradingus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is such a stupendous improvement over "Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien" that I had to go back and downgrade the latter to a three.

Selection, rendering quality, number of works selected for inclusion: everything is vastly better. (Not to mention the trove of careful scholarly commentary alongside the images.)

If you want an original Tolkien art book, this is the one to get.

[Salman Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own it in a paperback format, and how can I possibly not have it in my collection sets ? This book is not particularly for random admirers but hardcore fans because Hammon and Scull have reproduced much of the same content in their later publications. You can pick it up to read whence being called by the nameless voices from the Valinorian shores.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well put together sample of JRR Tolkien's illustrations from all across his life and interests. While readers of his Middle Earth legendarium will enjoy the art associated with The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings, all of the art is interesting as it shows his evolution in both skill and interest.