The concept of fan art has been around for thousands of years. Fantasy, in particular, has incited a lot of it, because fans want to bring these characters into a different setting or draw out their own take on how everything looks. If the piece of media is a novel, artists are in luck, because that allows their imaginations to completely run wild.
Lord of the Rings has massively influenced the modern fantasy genre and still has numerous fans through both its original books and adaptations, not to mention the work Christopher Tolkien did for his father's legacy. Therefore, here are 10 pieces of fan art for the Lord of the Rings that fans will love.
Aragorn & Legolas by Rhyme with Rachel
This piece by Rhyme with Rachel features Aragorn and Legolas as tired summer camp counselors. Fittingly, Aragorn is the one holding the first aid kit, while Legolas holds the bow and arrows.
Artfully ripped jeans and Converse somehow fit Legolas quite well, despite being modern. Aragorn is presumably dressed for a backpacking trip, with sturdy boots and a forty-pound pack. The kids they're in charge of are certainly in for an interesting experience...
Gandalf by Kinko-white
This two-page sketch of Gandalf by Kinko-white captures the mysticism and medieval setting of Tolkien's universe very well. Gandalf the Grey, smoking a pipe, is wreathed in either yellow smoke or sunlight.
Birds fly past him in the background. Even his image is somewhat shaky, fitting for a constantly-changing wizard. What looks like lightning cracks behind him. Even though Gandalf looks peaceful, it's clear that something, probably trouble, is brewing.
Smaug by R-Valle
R-Valle's drawing of Smaug looks like something that should be on a calendar or on someone's wall. The detail and colors are rich and vibrant. Smaug stands master on his rock, hissing violently down at Laketown, beautiful in the distance.
The sun is either setting or rising, and the red-gold color lends a gorgeous tint to the entire piece. The sky looks like it can stretch on forever, and adds a lovely element of depth.
Wheel of Fortune by Sceith-A
Who would have thought that they might find Gollum on a tarot card? Well, Sceith-A had this brilliant idea, which turned out quite well.
Gollum sits in his cave holding fish and looking quite nervous. At the same time, he is encircled by the One Ring. The card, which looks adequately aged, is titled the Wheel of Fortune. This certainly isn't a card to be picked up.
Bilbo Baggins by Ecthelian
Bilbo Baggins is a happy hobbit in this piece by Ecthelian. Drawn in a manga-like style, he gazes up at the viewer with bright eyes. The greenery around him, clearly the Shire, is vibrant and beautiful.
Clad in green, Bilbo is leaning back against a tree, a scroll spread out on his knees. The main thing that stands out is the dark red of his coat. The shadows are also done subtlely, in that it's hard to tell exactly what time of day it is.
What Could Frodo Do? by Erticaltinoz
Sam asks himself this question as he faces off against the giant spider Shelob in her lair, on his way to rescue Frodo. The entire painting, done by Erticaltinoz, is done in a dark tint, with a dark winter color scheme.
Blues, grays, and blacks permeate the picture, allowing Sam's way forward to be properly fraught with peril. Overall, the painting is appropriately majestic.
Legolas by Athena-chan
This drawing of Legolas by Athena-chan truly captures Orlando Bloom's performance and bearing when playing the elf prince. The background is blurred, allowing the audience to solely focus on Legolas.
The detail in his clothes allows the leaf pin to stand out, as well as the quiver of arrows over one shoulder. This lovely artwork uses a style that walks the line between realism and fantasy.
Fight by Cristi-B
This feels like a visual from the middle of an action scene, as Cristi-B draws out a detailed fight between an Orc and a Gondorian soldier. The work on the soldier's armor is incredibly detailed, as is the way the sunlight hits the other players in the background.
It's clear that the ax the Orc holds is second-hand, as it has wire wrapped around the handle as if to hold it together. Overall, the piece is a marvel.
Gandalf by Farbenfrei
This watercolor by Farbenfrei shows Gandalf in the greenery. The sky is dreamy, while the coloring is very spring-inspired. The watercolor works well with this setting because the audience's imagination can fill in the specifics of the setting.
It's easy to imagine that Gandalf is on his way to visit Bilbo in the Shire.
Fangorn Forest by Gonzalokenny
This piece by Gonzalokenny features the Ents of Fangorn Forest. Drawn in lovely detail, the forest feels inviting and magical. The tops of the trees showcase the small amount of sunlight allowed to seep through.
The background seems almost photorealistic at times. This is another piece that would take pride of place on a hallway wall.