Illustrator | Photographer
“The Hobbit” Book Illustrations
Gouache on Watercolor Paper - 9”x12” and 5”x5”
This project was the key step in developing my illustration style. After much exploration and a few setbacks, I finally discovered a style that I truly love. For this project, I aimed to approach The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien in its original form—as a children’s book. I wanted my illustrations to capture the same sense of whimsy and wonder that defines the story. So, I had to get exploring.
Starting with sketches, I experimented with different styles, searching for the one that felt right. I knew I wanted the sharp lines for the cheeks and nose, but the body composition as well as the face structure was something I struggled with at first. At this point, I was used to adding more details to my illustrations, so I had to learn to step back and focus more on shapes and colors to communicate ideas. This sketch was me figuring out just that. At this point, I wanted to draw the dwarves first entering Bag End with Bilbo bewildered.
Gouache on Watercolor Paper - 9”x12” and 5”x5”
This project was the key step in developing my illustration style. After much exploration and a few setbacks, I finally discovered a style that I truly love. For this project, I aimed to approach The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien in its original form—as a children’s book. I wanted my illustrations to capture the same sense of whimsy and wonder that defines the story. So, I had to get exploring.
Starting with sketches, I experimented with different styles, searching for the one that felt right. I knew I wanted the sharp lines for the cheeks and nose, but the body composition as well as the face structure was something I struggled with at first. At this point, I was used to adding more details to my illustrations, so I had to learn to step back and focus more on shapes and colors to communicate ideas. This sketch was me figuring out just that. At this point, I wanted to draw the dwarves first entering Bag End with Bilbo bewildered.
I wasn’t happy with how it was turning out, so I worked on simplifying the shapes of the characters.
I still thought there were too many details. I wanted a more child-like cartoonish look. But, I still fell at a loss, so I started sketching out different scenes I could draw like Bilbo smoking on his front porch, the riddles in the dark with Gollum, the barrel riders, and Thorin sitting on his throne.
Exploring more with the idea of Bilbo on his porch, I played around with that, adding the initial meeting with Gandalf. This is when the style finally clicked.
Now on to the digital thumbnails. I decided on drawing full illustrations of Bilbo meeting Gandalf at the beginning of the book and Bilbo fighting off the spiders in the Mirkwood forest (wild choice for someone who has arachnophobia - didn’t think that through much). I also wanted to do two spot illustrations of the barrel riders and Bilbo first finding the ring.
Next came the colored thumbnails. As you might expect from someone with arachnophobia, I struggled with drawing the spider and understanding its anatomy. Eventually, I had to do the one thing I dreaded most—look up photos of spiders for reference. I don’t recommend.
Then begins the sketching process.
Then begins the sketching process.
Here are the final results!