45

This question isn't as broad as it might appear at first glance. I've seen drawings of dragons, Dwarves, Trolls, and Hobbits by Tolkien, and I'm primarily interested in only a few other races. He was a prolific writer and artist, but he seems to have shied away from making too many illustrations featuring animals or people. Perhaps the only imagine along these lines that I have been able to find are these:

The Dragon Glaurung.
enter image description here

Smaug and Bilbo.
enter image description here

More Smaug. enter image description here

Even more Smaug.
enter image description here

Bill, Tom, and Bert, the Trolls, with Bilbo hiding in a bush (left background), a bunch of Dwarves in sacks (left foreground), and Gandalf casting a spell (right).
enter image description here

Bill, Tom, and Bert again, with a Dwarf in the foreground.

enter image description here

Bilbo at home.
enter image description here

The races I am most interested in seeing are as follows:

  • Orcs

  • Ents

  • Elves

  • Wargs

These are the races/species I am most interested in seeing, although I certainly won't complain if you find pictures of other races/species.

Did Tolkien ever draw any of these creatures and races?

Improve this question
8
  • I spent my last vote on this question but it was worth it :D
    – Often Right
    Jul 21, 2015 at 6:49
  • Maybe elves. None of the others.
    – Matt Gutting
    Jul 21, 2015 at 10:42
  • And I even doubt elves, given how reserved he was on the subject of elvish pointy ears.
    – Matt Gutting
    Jul 21, 2015 at 10:43
  • 1
    +1 for including some of Tolkien's artwork in the question :-)
    – maguirenumber6
    Jul 21, 2015 at 18:35
  • 1
    @maguirenumber6 - unfortunately, he was better at landscapes than people and animals.
    – Wad Cheber
    Jul 21, 2015 at 22:41

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
16

In addition to the Trolls and Hobbits you've already depicted, I've found illustrations containing men, elves, dwarves and a picture of Gandalf.

In Tolkien's illustration of "Laketown", you can distinctly see 6 men (and a further 5 in the far distance).
enter image description here

In this image depicting the "Halls of Manwë" you can see a figure (presumably an elf) at the stern of an Elven swan-ship.
enter image description here

This pencil sketch shows Gandalf the Grey:
enter image description here

Another pencil sketch shows "Dwarves Marching and Smaug" enter image description here

Another pencil sketch shows some dwarves "At the Back Door" [to the Lonely Mountain]

enter image description here

And we see Bilbo here with an eagle

enter image description here

Improve this answer
10
  • 6
    Gandalf the Grey or a coatrack?
    – Wad Cheber
    Jul 21, 2015 at 22:40
  • 1
    @WadCheber - The picture is entitled "Gandalf" so I'd guess not a coatrack.
    – Valorum
    Jul 21, 2015 at 22:41
  • 1
    I guess I just didn't realize how coatrack-like Gandalf was. Now I know. The next time someone asks me to describe Gandalf, I'll say "He's like a magical coatrack!"
    – Wad Cheber
    Jul 21, 2015 at 22:42
  • Who knew?
    – Wad Cheber
    Jul 21, 2015 at 23:03
  • 1
    @DavidRoberts - I took it on the chin (or rather beard).
    – Valorum
    Mar 1, 2022 at 7:56
13

No illustrations of men, orcs, Ents, or wargs (at least that I know of). The only depiction of Elves that I know of is the painting of Beleg finding Gwindor in the forest of Taur-nu-Fuin:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • It's really hard to spot Gwindor, he's lying just below the thick brown tree, stretched out on his stomach, his red hat lying on the ground next to him.
    – David Roberts
    Feb 28, 2022 at 22:03
  • His body makes a thin crescent shape just below a dark brown root.
    – m4r35n357
    Aug 2 at 12:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.