The Old Forest

The Old Forest, Soni Alcorn-Hender

The Old Forest

” ‘They do not like all that about ending and failing,’ said Merry. ‘I should not sing any more at present. Wait till we get to the edge, and then we’ll turn and give them a rousing chorus!’ ”
—The Old Forest, Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.

 – I just learned that this will be the cover of the Tolkien Society’s annual publication: the ‘Mallorn’! :)

The first in a series of landscapes inspired by both Britain and Middle-earth – this one based on the forest of Padley Gorge in Derbyshire. Though I think the trees there are less likely to eat you.

Acrylics, pencil, pastel, gouache, tea, cat hair, and the withered deathless malicious and malignant soul of a really evil tree – on paper (also made from trees, maybe evil), and then some digital colouring and fannying about.
A3 / 12×17 inches
Prints available here.

Work in progress and details:

 

Hobbits in… Cumbria?

A Cumbrian landscape (Buttermere) becomes a scene from Lord of the Rings: Strider leading the Hobbits from the Midgewater Marshes to the Weather Hills (where Frodo will have an unfortunate encounter with a Wraith). But for now, the Hobbits greatest concern is getting that ‘fool of a Took’ across the stream without him bathing in it (and pulling poor Merry in after). Frodo intends to help, as soon as he can stop laughing.
Strider and Sam (with Bill the pony) are ahead.

Acrylics and pencils on hot-press pastel paper, 21×29 cms

Prints and pretty things available on RedBubble here.

Midgewater Marshes to the Weather Hills, Soni Alcorn-Hender

Midgewater Marshes to the Weather Hills