Quote from Alan Lee:
Alan Lee: An illustrator has to pay very close attention to the text and support the intentions of the author, so it is important for me to get feedback from the author or, in the case of J.R.R. Tolkien, from Christopher Tolkien, who obviously has a keener understanding of the text than anybody else.
I think we are in accord in that neither of us wants to see close-ups of the characters or depictions of the most vital and dramatic moments, preferring to establish atmosphere and set the scene. Looking at J.R.R. Tolkien's own illustrations has been very useful, as well as enjoyable, in that they help with understanding the topography of the landscapes he is describing. It is also interesting to see that his idea of how a landscape or city might look changes and develops as the story is shaped.
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