J. R. R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator
 Cover of first edition | |
| Author | Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | J. R. R. Tolkien |
| Country | United Kingdom and United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | J. R. R. Tolkien, illustration |
| Genre | Reference |
| Publisher | HarperCollins (UK) and Houghton Mifflin (US) |
Publication date | 1995 |
| Media type | Hardcover (HarperCollins paperback, UK, 1998; Houghton Mifflin paperback, US, 2000) |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 0-261-10322-9 |
| OCLC | 34533659 |
J. R. R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator is a collection of paintings (mostly watercolour) and drawings by J. R. R. Tolkien for his stories, published posthumously in 1995. The book was edited by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull.
J. R. R. Tolkien was an artist in pictures as well as in words. Though he often remarked that he had no talent for drawing, his art has charmed readers and has been exhibited to large and appreciative audiences. In fact, his talent was far more than he admitted, and his sense of design was natural and keen. Portraits are conspicuously absent from his work.
The book explores Tolkien's art at length, from his childhood paintings and drawings to his final sketches. At its heart are illustrations for his books, especially his tales of Middle-earth. Also examined are the pictures Tolkien made for his children (notably in his The Father Christmas Letters and Mr. Bliss), his expressive calligraphy, his love of decoration, and his contributions to the typography and design of his books.
J. R. R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator won the 1996 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award for Inklings Studies.