The Hobbit, part one

The Dwarves of yore made mighty spells / while hammers fell like ringing bells / in places deep, where dark things sleep / in hollow halls beneath the fells.

Pencil, ink, digital. 13x20" (click to make it larger)

Okay! Totally done with the first piece, guys. Also, I have the next two pieces lined up in the old noodle, so things should go a little more smoothly from here on out.

This was extremely difficult to compose, and I really have to thank James Gurney for writing so extensively on the intricacies of good composition in his newest book. When you're setting up an image with so many figures with a specific light source, most of the difficult drawing comes from trying to balance the scene and keep your eye moving. When you essentially create a a mess of figures, it's really easy to lose the focus of the composition and have your piece end up as something of a Where's Waldo type scene. That's totally fun because there are still a ton of little things to look at, but there's no narrative focus. I think I did a pretty good job keeping this one in check.

Again, don't forget to check out Picture Book Report every day to see all of the work these great artists are putting in JUST FOR YOU. Nobody's getting any clams out of this, it's all just for you. So go appreciate it!