The Hobbit Sketchbook & The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook

Description

Presenting two richly illustrated books in one elegant slipcase, this deluxe, limited edition boxed set celebrates in words and pictures the beautiful work that award-winning artist Alan Lee has created for J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Sumptuously bound in full cloth, with a miniature colour image embossed into the front board, each large-format volume overflows with hundreds of delicate pencil drawings and conceptual sketches, and dozens of haunting watercolour paintings, including many brand-new Hobbit paintings and drawings that take us deeper into the magical world of Bilbo Baggins. This very special set unlocks the secret of how Alan creates his own Middle-earth magic and provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who breathed new life into Tolkien's vision. It is limited to a worldwide printing of just 3,000 numbered copies and each copy of The Hobbit Sketchbook has been personally signed by the artist.

Alan Lee is the illustrator of the highly-successful centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings and diamond edition of The Hobbit. He studied graphic design and the depiction of Celtic and Norse myths and has illustrated a wide range of books, including Faeries, Merlin Dreams and Castles, and was conceptual designer for Terry Jones' film Erik the Viking. He was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for his illustrated edition of Black Ships Before Troy.

'Alan Lee's artwork has a beauty and lyricism about it. His art captured what I hoped to capture with the films.' Peter Jackson Praise for the 'Great Tales' trilogy: '[The Children of Hurin is] the darkest of all Tolkien's tales. Alan Lee's illustrations complement the writing splendidly.' Times Literary Supllement 'Critical moments are caught [in Beren and Luthien], as in The Children of Hurin, by Alan Lee's nine outstanding colour plates.' Times Literary Supplement