Publisher Description

A sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material.
In this large-format hardback Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the images in the authorised illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful, matching perfectly with Tolkien's own vision, that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn Alan a coveted Academy Award.

The book is filled with over 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces to show how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains 20 colour paintings reproduced in full-page glory, together with numerous examples of his conceptual art produced for the films and brand new pieces drawn specially for this book. It also includes an exclusive foreword written by Sir Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, firstly onto the page and then in three dimensions on the cinema screen. It will also be of interest to many of the 100,000 people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as for budding artists and illustrators interested in unlocking the secrets of book illustration.

Notes

Large format hardback containing sketches and paintings, together with brand new and previously unseen material.

Author Biography

Alan Lee is the illustrator of the highly-successful centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings and diamond edition of The Hobbit. He studied graphic design and the depiction of Celtic and Norse myths and has illustrated a wide range of books, including Faeries, Merlin Dreams and Castles, and was conceptual designer for Terry Jones' film Erik the Viking. He was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for his illustrated edition of Black Ships Before Troy.

Review

'Alan Lee's artwork has a beauty and lyricism about it. His art captured what I hoped to capture with the films.'
Peter Jackson'Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the 20th century.'
Sunday Telegraph'An extraordinarily imaginative work, part saga, part allegory, and wholly exciting.'
The Times'A grand piece of work in both conception and execution.'
Daily Telegraph

Promotional

A sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material. / The Lord of The Rings is the undisputed Book of the Century, selling over 150,000,000 copies world-wide. / Provides a lavishly illustrated and fascinating overview of the project of illustrating the Lord of The Rings -- sure to be of interest to the 100,000 people, in the UK alone, who bought Alan Lee's illustrated edition. / Alan Lee worked as Conceptual Artist on the multi-billion dollar film trilogy from New Line Cinema -- acclaimed as the movie event of the decade. / Exclusive 600-word foreword by Sir Ian McKellen / The ideal gift for any Lord of The Rings fan, especially those interested in art or book illustration.

Prizes

Short-listed for BBC Big Read Top 100 2003

Long Description

A sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material. In this large-format hardback Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the images in the authorised illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful, matching perfectly with Tolkien's own vision, that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn Alan a coveted Academy Award. The book is filled with over 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces to show how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains 20 colour paintings reproduced in full-page glory, together with numerous examples of his conceptual art produced for the films and brand new pieces drawn specially for this book. It also includes an exclusive foreword written by Sir Ian McKellen. The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, firstly onto the page and then in three dimensions on the cinema screen. It will also be of interest to many of the 100,000 people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as for budding artists and illustrators interested in unlocking the secrets of book illustration.

Review Quote

'Alan Lee's artwork has a beauty and lyricism about it. His art captured what I hoped to capture with the films.'Peter Jackson'Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the 20th century.'Sunday Telegraph'An extraordinarily imaginative work, part saga, part allegory, and wholly exciting.'The Times'A grand piece of work in both conception and execution.'Daily Telegraph

Feature

150 b/w illus, 20 col plates * The Lord of The Rings is the undisputed Book of the Century, selling over 150,000,000 copies world-wide. * Provides a lavishly illustrated and fascinating overview of the project of illustrating the Lord of The Rings - sure to be of interest to the 100,000 people, in the UK alone, who bought Alan Lee's illustrated edition. * Alan Lee worked as Conceptual Artist on the multi-billion dollar film trilogy from New Line Cinema - acclaimed as the movie event of the decade. * Exclusive 600-word foreword by Sir Ian McKellen * The ideal gift for any Lord of The Rings fan, especially those interested in art or book illustration.

Description for Sales People

A sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material. In this large-format hardback Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the images in the authorised illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful, matching perfectly with Tolkien's own vision, that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn Alan a coveted Academy Award. The book is filled with over 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces to show how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains 20 colour paintings reproduced in full-page glory, together with numerous examples of his conceptual art produced for the films and brand new pieces drawn specially for this book. It also includes an exclusive foreword written by Sir Ian McKellen. The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, firstly onto the page and then in three dimensions on the cinema screen. It will also be of interest to many of the 100,000 people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as for budding artists and illustrators interested in unlocking the secrets of book illustration. * The Lord of The Rings is the undisputed Book of the Century, selling over 150,000,000 copies world-wide. * Provides a lavishly illustrated and fascinating overview of the project of illustrating the Lord of The Rings - sure to be of interest to the 100,000 people, in the UK alone, who bought Alan Lee's illustrated edition. * Alan Lee worked as Conceptual Artist on the multi-billion dollar film trilogy from New Line Cinema - acclaimed as the movie event of the decade. * Exclusive 600-word foreword by Sir Ian McKellen * The ideal gift for any Lord of The Rings fan, especially those interested in art or book illustration.

Details