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SciFi & Fantasy Art / Gallery 212 of 1003 / Cristina Marsi / Picture 61 of 81 / The Bridge of Khazad-dum

"The Bridge of Khazad-dum" by Cristina Marsi

SciFi/Fantasy Picture 61 out of 81 by Cristina Marsi. ←Previous - Next→

SciFi and Fantasy Art The Bridge of Khazad-dum by Cristina Marsi

"The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two wast rings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whines and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm."

J.R.R.Tolkien - The Fellowship of the Ring.

Please don't spend time commenting how my work doesn't fit every detail of Tolkien's description. I'm aware of that and did it on purpose. Or, to be more clear, I don't keep book open when i paint and i don't remember every word by heart. I just paint what remains in my imagination months, sometimes years after i read something.

Pastels on ash grey Ingres paper. 24*30 cm.

Model for Gandalf was artist Alex McMillan. Published with his permission.

Date	Name	Comment
8 Nov 2005	Alison Skillin	Loading... You've really captured a wonderful expression. It's just how I would expect a wizard to look when drawing on all his energy to fight! And it looks very much like the photo reference you used. Cristina Marsi replies: "Hehe, it is Alex's expression that is great. I guess an artist is perfect as a model, since he knows what is needed in a painting. And ofc a model is a wonderful artist as well, as you demonstrate every day "
8 Nov 2005	Anneke Hut	Loading... Great artwork, Cristina! It looks so much like Alex on the photo. I love the surroundings you made to it! Cristina Marsi replies: "Thank you Anneke! The surrounding is based on existing caves in nearbie town of Postojna, thats why it looks real "
8 Nov 2005	Alex McMillan	Loading... This is such an honour, Cristina. A great use of colour and you've used the photo-reference to capture the feeling. Just fantastic! Cristina Marsi replies: "The honour is mine, Alex! Having such a great artist as model is not so usual "
9 Nov 2005	Steph Steph Salt	Loading... I think that you have dne a great job of capturing the movement and the drama Cristina. Alex makes a great Gandalf, with help from you telented hands and mind. Cristina Marsi replies: "Thank you Steph. As i stated already the great one in dramatizing is Alex "
9 Nov 2005	Mart D. Chandler	Loading... Ah, Alex the Mighty Gandalf! Superb, fantastic, powerful, and talented. Yes fans this is the mystic Gandalf. Not only is he a wizzard of the arts, he's also a wizz at art. Cristina, you have captured the spirit and emotion. I commend you. The pic shows movement, a plus. Character development is flawless. Anatomy is super clean. My personal critique is that I didn't have the time to do one myself...I stand and I bow to the master. I reach out to kiss the hand of talent... Cristina Marsi replies: "Now I'm really flattered, Mart Hehe, you have such a talent with words that you should start writing stories as well as painting "
11 Nov 2005	Fabio Dakkar Gruppioni	Loading... woah! Really good picture! ...and good coloring! Davvero bella! ^_^ Cristina Marsi replies: "Thank you Fabio. I had a lot of fun doing it "
8 Dec 2005	Donna Quinn	Loading... Ooh, yes, lovely! I like the snarling beast, the design of the staff, the clothing folds, and that pretty cave in the background. My only criticism is that it doesn't seem dark enough, with the light not providing enough of a contrast, to truly look "cavey". But then again, perhaps Gandalf's magic light/ fire in his hand is a _lot_ stronger than a regular torch! Lovely work with all those details, and I really like your "disclaimer" at the top. Some people get too bogged down and anal over exact LoTR details, and I enjoyed your approach towards it! Cristina Marsi replies: "Thank you very much for your visit and your nice words, Donna. I agree that the cave is a bit too light, but I have noticed that light in pictures doen't always need to be natural, otherwise most night scenes would be just black areas. Often visible light source is strenghtened and "hidden" light sources are added. In this case I didn't want all the details and colours on stalagmites and stalagtites to get lost, so i claimed artist's permission to do changes... as you stated already, the magic light in Gandalf's hand is not a regular torch, so who can say how strong it is? "
14 Jan 2007	$hadow_girl	Loading... Well cristina u are really talented at drawing charectors and stuff im very happy that someone has drawn gandalf well done