Do Balrogs Have Wings? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mister Underhill*** · 01-23-2005, 11:55 AM

That painting is not by Tolkien; it's by Ted Nasmith.

Keeper of Dol Guldur · 01-24-2005, 02:20 PM

Ugh ... Nasmith.

He couldn't resist the scales and tail, and reptilian feature. And who ever said Balrogs had horns? And yet EVERYBODY draws them with horns, or paints them with horns. And I see the "devil" influence even goes to that pointy end on it's tail.

Oh well, at least Nasmith got the size about right. But it seems awfully ... Trollish.

And it's scales look like the creature from that episode of Star Trek, you know the one, the evil puddle who kills Tasha Yar.

If it was darker and all you could see was Gandalf, the fiery mane, and the eyes and nose, it'd be better. That evil shadow is supposed to shut out even the brightest, Gandalfiest of light.

Neithan · 01-24-2005, 03:55 PM

And the invented adjective of the day is...Gandalfiest.

Seriously though that pic was really bad.

P.S. Balrogs don't have wings.

Aiwendil · 01-24-2005, 06:22 PM

Yes, Nasmith's Balrogs are not so good - though I'm very fond of much of his other work. Actually, though, I'm not that satisfied with a lot of Balrog art - this is one area where I think the Hildebrandts, John Howe, and Alan Lee are not up to their usual standard.

Formendacil · 01-24-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

Yes, Nasmith's Balrogs are not so good - though I'm very fond of much of his other work. Actually, though, I'm not that satisfied with a lot of Balrog art - this is one area where I think the Hildebrandts, John Howe, and Alan Lee are not up to their usual standard.

But how do you properly capture the image of a creature described in terms like "shadow", whose chief defining physical trait (wings) doesn't actually exist (remember, I'm a no-winger

) or at least isn't conclusively supported, and who is described as by Tolkien as having no need to speak as it's mere presence was fearful. In the same way as it had no need of a voice, it really had no need of a particular form (although it did have one) to evoke its terror. It simply WAS terror.

How do you evoke "terror" in a visual image?

I don't know the answer, but the answer of many artists would seem to be to fall back on motifs familiar to us as evil, such as horns and pointed tails (and wings?

)

Nilpaurion Felagund · 01-24-2005, 10:06 PM

It was right before our eyes!

You might be surprised.

gorthaur_cruel · 01-25-2005, 12:00 AM

How does "I won't answer" answer the question?

View Poll Results: Do balrogs have wings?
Yes	114	58.16%
No	82	41.84%
Voters: 196. You may not vote on this poll

01-24-2005, 02:20 PM	#2
Keeper of Dol Guldur Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 315, CNY Boys and girls. Posts: 405	Re: Ugh ... Nasmith. He couldn't resist the scales and tail, and reptilian feature. And who ever said Balrogs had horns? And yet EVERYBODY draws them with horns, or paints them with horns. And I see the "devil" influence even goes to that pointy end on it's tail. Oh well, at least Nasmith got the size about right. But it seems awfully ... Trollish. And it's scales look like the creature from that episode of Star Trek, you know the one, the evil puddle who kills Tasha Yar. If it was darker and all you could see was Gandalf, the fiery mane, and the eyes and nose, it'd be better. That evil shadow is supposed to shut out even the brightest, Gandalfiest of light. __________________ "I come from yonder...Have you seen Baggins? Baggins has left, he is coming. He is not far away. I wish to find him. If he passes will you tell me? I will come back with gold." - Khamul the Easterling

01-24-2005, 03:55 PM	#3
Neithan Wight Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 126	And the invented adjective of the day is...Gandalfiest. Seriously though that pic was really bad. P.S. Balrogs don't have wings. __________________ If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.~Henry David Thoreau

01-24-2005, 10:06 PM	#6
Nilpaurion Felagund Scion of The Faithful Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The brink, where hope and despair are akin. [The Philippines] Posts: 5,312	It seems that Tolkien had already answered this question. It was right before our eyes! You might be surprised. __________________ フェンリス鴨 (Fenrisu Kamo) The plot, cut, defeated. I intend to copy this sig forever - so far so good...

01-23-2005, 11:55 AM	#1
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	That painting is not by Tolkien; it's by Ted Nasmith.

01-24-2005, 06:22 PM	#4
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	Yes, Nasmith's Balrogs are not so good - though I'm very fond of much of his other work. Actually, though, I'm not that satisfied with a lot of Balrog art - this is one area where I think the Hildebrandts, John Howe, and Alan Lee are not up to their usual standard.

01-25-2005, 12:00 AM	#7
gorthaur_cruel Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 92	How does "I won't answer" answer the question?