- ALAN LEE -
An Artist You Should Know About
Background
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Alan Lee is an illustrator that works with watercolours and pencil. He lives and works from his home in Dartmoor, Devon and is highly influenced by his environment. Alan Lee's own influences include: (early 20th century book illustrators) Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac and Edward Burne-Jones (Pre-Raphaelites) plus many more. |
The Lord of the Rings
Alan Lee's most well known illustrations have been created surrounding "The Lord of the Rings" and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien that are also set in Middle Earth.
He illustrated the centenary edition of "The Lord of the Rings" in 1992 to celebrate 100 years since Tolkien's birth, and he was a concept artist for the films.
The Lord of the Rings
Alan Lee's most well known illustrations have been created surrounding "The Lord of the Rings" and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien that are also set in Middle Earth.
He illustrated the centenary edition of "The Lord of the Rings" in 1992 to celebrate 100 years since Tolkien's birth, and he was a concept artist for the films.
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The way Alan Lee paints is incredibly unique, his illustrations have an extortionary amount of depth and light within them.
He uses the natural qualities of watercolour to show movement and the mood of the paintings, whilst still maintaining a mystical appearance.
He uses the natural qualities of watercolour to show movement and the mood of the paintings, whilst still maintaining a mystical appearance.
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A Direct Comparison Here is a comparison between a painting by Alan Lee and a self portrait that I created inspired by his illustration. I used this exercise to gain a better understanding of how Alan Lee paints, and to create more movement in my paintings. |
Lúthien Tinúviel - (Alan Lee's illustration - "The Fellowship of the Ring")
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Self Portrait - (My illustration from the Illustrator's Toolkit Module)
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Washes Of Watercolour
In this illustration I have been taking inspiration from the way Alan Lee builds up washes of watercolour in his illustrations.
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Integrating Into My Own Illustration
The next step of taking inspiration from Alan Lee was to integrate what I have learned so far from his style into paintings that I want to create, my preferred subject for illustrations are animals so I explored the looser watercolour style within these illustrations, I combined the watercolour with ink in the fox illustration. |
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Alan Lee's work is important to my practice as an illustrator because he inspires me to keep learning. The way he paints is a constant source of
inspiration to me as it is so beautiful, I marvel at his skill with watercolour and it constantly makes me want to try and improve my own skills.
But mostly he motivates me to get out into the world, to stay curious and to always take inspiration from the world that surrounds me.
inspiration to me as it is so beautiful, I marvel at his skill with watercolour and it constantly makes me want to try and improve my own skills.
But mostly he motivates me to get out into the world, to stay curious and to always take inspiration from the world that surrounds me.
Interesting Videos About Alan Lee's Illustration
I have added these videos here for anyone that wants to learn more about Alan Lee's illustration, I found these videos very interesting and informative.
I have added these videos here for anyone that wants to learn more about Alan Lee's illustration, I found these videos very interesting and informative.
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