Fantasy, Tolkien, Pembrokeshire, Cornwall, Hounds
I’ve been a bit surprised, with all the fuss and discussion over the new Amazon Rings of Power series, that apparently there are people who see Galadriel as someone who would not wear armour or wield a sword. I’ve seen her as someone who was in her younger days a fighter at least since I read Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales some time in the 1980s. So here she is: I enjoyed playing with the red colour, which stands for peaceful poppies and the fires of the War of Wrath.
I’ve been enjoying the 4th series of Stranger Things, and decided to occupy myself during the wait for the final episodes with some character portraits in watercolour. These are all A5 size, in inktense watercolour. Max, above, is the portrait that I’m most happy with.
Lucas: 
Mike: 
Nancy: 
Eddie:
Two attempts at Eleven, one with hair and one without:
And Dustin:
Sometimes I write! This is a novel-length story I wrote for fun. It’s free to read and download. When I finished writing, I was pleased with it, so I made it a book cover to celebrate. Details and links to the story below!
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The Once and Future King sleeps in the hills, waiting to return in Britain’s hour of greatest need. This much we know. Arthur’s name echoes down to us out of the Dark Ages. But why? When that terrible hour finally comes, what will happen?
My theory involves an ancient Volvo, a lot of bees, Arthur in pyjamas from Marks and Spencer, a random dog, some very old Anglo-Saxon magic, doom, death and the serpent-spawn of a dark god.
Read online -|- Download epub -|- Download PDF
Above, a selection of my own hounds through the years, plus Tolkien’s Huan.
A wingless Dragon – a bit pretty to be Glaurung?
After painting a cold and snowy scene, it seemed like time to paint something a bit warmer and more snug. So here’s an inviting table in the warm, with a view of the frosty landscape, tea and cake.
I made this painting to practice painting mists, and also folded fabric, but I rather like the result!
The figure is taken from a stock photo by Marcus Ranum, the landscape is one I photographed in the Tamar Valley, and the general idea was inspired by the Ravenloft setting for D&D.
Specifically, Gothmog kitten, who insists on stealing my brushes and pencils, and has on a couple of occasions walked across my palette and got her feet all over paint! Still, with this face you have to forgive her.
This is an A3 painting in acrylic.
I’ve been trying out painting things that are transparent or watery. Here’s a leaf with water droplets that was a lot of fun to paint. 
