Alan Lee: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Relinekd image)
({{cleanup}} removed - no major work needed - originally added on January 6, 2009 by Ederchil)
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
{{artist infobox
{{artist infobox
| image=[[File:Alan Lee.jpg|250px]]
| image=Alan Lee.jpg
| name=Alan Lee
| name=Alan Lee
| born=[[20 August]], [[1947]]
| born=[[20 August]], [[1947]]
Line 7: Line 6:
| style=Realistic/Romantic
| style=Realistic/Romantic
| images=[[:Category:Images by Alan Lee|Gallery]]
| images=[[:Category:Images by Alan Lee|Gallery]]
| location=Dartmoor, Cornwall, UK
| location=Dartmoor, Devon, UK
| website=
| website=
}}
}}
'''Alan Lee''' is a renowned British artist. He has illustrated numerous [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] books and calendars. Together with [[John Howe]], Lee was a concept artist for both [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] and [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]].
'''Alan Lee''' is a renowned British artist. He has illustrated numerous [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] books and calendars. Together with [[John Howe]], Lee was a concept artist for both [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'']] and [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]].
 
==History==
==History==
Alan Lee was born in London, and attended the [[Wikipedia:Ealing|Ealing]] School of Art.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496769/bio IMDb biography]</ref> At the advice of a friend, he read ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' when he was 17, and it greatly influenced his professional work. He had at that time never heard of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] or ''[[The Hobbit]]''.<ref>[http://einsiders.com/features/interviews/alanlee.php Interview], EInsiders.com.</ref> He moved to Dartmoor and married Marja Kruÿt. They have one daughter together, Virginia.<ref>[http://www.visionary-artist.co.uk/index.html Biography] of Marja Lee Kruÿt.</ref><ref>[http://www.herenistarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=33 Interview], [[North East Tolkien Society|HerenIstarion.org]].</ref>
Alan Lee was born in London, and attended the [[Wikipedia:Ealing|Ealing]] School of Art.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496769/bio IMDb biography]</ref> At the advice of a friend, he read ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' when he was 17, and it greatly influenced his professional work. He had at that time never heard of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] or ''[[The Hobbit]]''.<ref>[http://einsiders.com/features/interviews/alanlee.php Interview], EInsiders.com.</ref> He moved to Dartmoor and married Marja Kruÿt. They have one daughter together, Virginia.<ref>[http://www.visionary-artist.co.uk/index.html Biography] of Marja Lee Kruÿt.</ref><ref>[http://www.herenistarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=33 Interview], [[North East Tolkien Society|HerenIstarion.org]].</ref>
Line 19: Line 17:
In his paintings, Lee uses watercolour. He describes his style as a combination of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_(visual_arts) Realistic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism Romantic].<ref>"Designing Middle-earth", [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]], Extended Edition.</ref>
In his paintings, Lee uses watercolour. He describes his style as a combination of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_(visual_arts) Realistic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism Romantic].<ref>"Designing Middle-earth", [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]], Extended Edition.</ref>


===The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy===
===Peter Jackson's Middle-earth film series===
On [[13 November|November 13]], [[1997]], New Zealand filmmaker [[Peter Jackson]] sent a parcel containing [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116344/ "Forgotten Silver"] and [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110005/  "Heavenly Creatures"], and a letter explaining an upcoming movie project, then still for Miramax. Jackson was greatly inspired by Lee, and wanted him to be part of the crew. Lee watched the movies, and phoned back 3,5 hours later to say yes.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/01/23/alan_lee_feature.shtml "Lord of the Drawings"], BBC Interview.</ref> Three weeks later he flew to New Zealand, where he and [[John Howe]] joined the [[Weta Workshop]]. He would live in New Zealand for six years, before returning to Dartmoor.<ref name="designing">"Designing Middle-earth", [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]], Extended Edition.</ref> His daughter Virginia also worked on the movie; one of her contributions was woodwork for the throne of [[Théoden]].<ref name="designing"/>
On [[13 November|November 13]], [[1997]], New Zealand filmmaker [[Peter Jackson]] sent a parcel containing [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116344/ "Forgotten Silver"] and [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110005/  "Heavenly Creatures"], and a letter explaining an upcoming movie project, then still for Miramax. Jackson was greatly inspired by Lee, and wanted him to be part of the crew. Lee watched the movies, and phoned back 3,5 hours later to say yes.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/01/23/alan_lee_feature.shtml "Lord of the Drawings"], BBC Interview.</ref> Three weeks later he flew to New Zealand, where he and [[John Howe]] joined the [[Weta Workshop]]. He would live in New Zealand for six years, before returning to Dartmoor.<ref name="designing">"Designing Middle-earth", [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]], Extended Edition.</ref> His daughter Virginia also worked on the movie; one of her contributions was woodwork for the throne of [[Théoden]].<ref name="designing"/>


Lee has two cameos in Peter Jackson's movies: he appears as the second from the right of the nine [[Nazgûl|Kings of Men]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', and as a man of [[Rohan]] at the armoury of the [[Hornburg]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]''.
Lee has two cameos in ''The Lord of the Rings'' movies by Peter Jackson: he appears as the second from the right of the nine [[Nazgûl|Kings of Men]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', along with John Howe, and as a man of [[Rohan]] at the armoury of the [[Hornburg]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'', along with [[Dan Hennah]].
 
Lee expressed interest in working on ''The Hobbit'', and stated that "It would have to be a pretty special film to match the experience of working on The Lord of the Rings".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/01/23/alan_lee_feature.shtml "Lord of the Drawings"], BBC Interview.</ref> Lee was involved on work on [[The Hobbit (film series)|The Hobbit]], once again along with John Howe.
 
Lee has one cameo too in ''The Hobbit'' movies by Peter Jackson: he appears as a man-musician of [[Lake-town|Laketown]] in ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug|The Desolation of Smaug,]]'', along with John Howe.


Lee has expressed interest in working on ''The Hobbit'', "[B]ut it would have to be a pretty special film to match the experience of working on The Lord of the Rings".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/01/23/alan_lee_feature.shtml "Lord of the Drawings"], BBC Interview.</ref>
Lee and Howe together drew the artwork of the cast at the end of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' and ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]''. For ''The Battle of the Five Armies'', the sketching of the cast was split by nationality; John Howe drew [[Tauriel]] / [[Evangeline Lilly]], as they are both Canadian.{{fact}}


==Published artwork==
==Published artwork==
Line 42: Line 44:
* [[2008]]: ''The Children of Húrin Calendar''
* [[2008]]: ''The Children of Húrin Calendar''
* [[2008]]: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]
* [[2008]]: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]
* [[2017]]: ''[[Beren and Lúthien]]''
* [[2018]]: ''[[The Fall of Gondolin]]''
* [[2018]]: ''[[Tolkien Calendar 2019]]''
* [[2019]]: ''[[The Hobbit Sketchbook]]''
* [[2019]]: ''[[Tolkien Calendar 2020]]''
* [[2020]]: ''[[Tolkien Calendar 2021]]'' (with [[John Howe]] and [[Ted Nasmith]])
* [[2022]]: ''[[The Fall of Númenor (book)|The Fall of Númenor]]''
* [[2023]]: ''[[Tolkien Calendar 2024]]''


==Awards==
==Awards==
Line 53: Line 63:
*[[2008]]: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]''
*[[2008]]: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]''
**"Afterword"
**"Afterword"
*[[2013]]: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Chronicles: Art & Design]]''
**"Introduction"


==See also==
==See also==
Line 58: Line 70:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/2016/05/watch-alan-lee-discusses-his-artwork-at-the-tolkien-society-annual-dinner-2016/ Watch: Alan Lee discusses his artwork at the Tolkien Society Annual Dinner 2016] at [http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ Tolkiensociety.org]
* {{WP|Alan Lee}}
* {{WP|Alan Lee}}
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496769/ Alan Lee] at [http://www.imdb.com IMDb]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496769/ Alan Lee] at [http://www.imdb.com IMDb]
{{references}}
{{references}}
{{IllustratorsHobbit}}
{{IllustratorsLOTR}}
{{IllustratorsCalendars}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Alan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Alan}}
[[Category:Actors and actresses]]
[[Category:Actors and actresses]]

Latest revision as of 14:40, 17 February 2024

Alan Lee.jpg
Alan Lee
Biographical information
Born20 August, 1947
StyleRealistic/Romantic
ImagesGallery
LocationDartmoor, Devon, UK

Alan Lee is a renowned British artist. He has illustrated numerous Tolkien books and calendars. Together with John Howe, Lee was a concept artist for both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series.

History[edit | edit source]

Alan Lee was born in London, and attended the Ealing School of Art.[1] At the advice of a friend, he read The Lord of the Rings when he was 17, and it greatly influenced his professional work. He had at that time never heard of J.R.R. Tolkien or The Hobbit.[2] He moved to Dartmoor and married Marja Kruÿt. They have one daughter together, Virginia.[3][4]

Alan has suffered many deaths in his lifetime, including his father's when he was only 13 years of age.

In his paintings, Lee uses watercolour. He describes his style as a combination of Realistic and Romantic.[5]

Peter Jackson's Middle-earth film series[edit | edit source]

On November 13, 1997, New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson sent a parcel containing "Forgotten Silver" and "Heavenly Creatures", and a letter explaining an upcoming movie project, then still for Miramax. Jackson was greatly inspired by Lee, and wanted him to be part of the crew. Lee watched the movies, and phoned back 3,5 hours later to say yes.[6] Three weeks later he flew to New Zealand, where he and John Howe joined the Weta Workshop. He would live in New Zealand for six years, before returning to Dartmoor.[7] His daughter Virginia also worked on the movie; one of her contributions was woodwork for the throne of Théoden.[7]

Lee has two cameos in The Lord of the Rings movies by Peter Jackson: he appears as the second from the right of the nine Kings of Men in The Fellowship of the Ring, along with John Howe, and as a man of Rohan at the armoury of the Hornburg in The Two Towers, along with Dan Hennah.

Lee expressed interest in working on The Hobbit, and stated that "It would have to be a pretty special film to match the experience of working on The Lord of the Rings".[8] Lee was involved on work on The Hobbit, once again along with John Howe.

Lee has one cameo too in The Hobbit movies by Peter Jackson: he appears as a man-musician of Laketown in The Desolation of Smaug,, along with John Howe.

Lee and Howe together drew the artwork of the cast at the end of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. For The Battle of the Five Armies, the sketching of the cast was split by nationality; John Howe drew Tauriel / Evangeline Lilly, as they are both Canadian.[source?]

Published artwork[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Bibliography, selected[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ IMDb biography
  2. ↑ Interview, EInsiders.com.
  3. ↑ Biography of Marja Lee Kruÿt.
  4. ↑ Interview, HerenIstarion.org.
  5. ↑ "Designing Middle-earth", The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Extended Edition.
  6. ↑ "Lord of the Drawings", BBC Interview.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Designing Middle-earth", The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Extended Edition.
  8. ↑ "Lord of the Drawings", BBC Interview.
Illustrators of The Hobbit
Internal art J.R.R. Tolkien (1937-present) · Eric Fraser (The Folio Society: 1979, 1992-present) · Michael Hague (1984-1992) · David T. Wenzel (graphic novel: 1989-present) · Alan Lee (1997-present) · David Wyatt (1998-2001, 2012-2013) · John Howe (pop-up: 1999) · Jemima Catlin (2013-present)
Cover art only J.R.R. Tolkien (1937-present) · Pauline Baynes (1961) · Roger Garland (1987-1989) · John Howe (1991-present) · Ted Nasmith (1989-1991) · Barbara Remington (1965 US)
Illustrators of The Lord of the Rings
Internal art J.R.R. Tolkien (1937-present) · Eric Fraser/Ingahild Grathmer (The Folio Society: 1979, 1992-present) · Alan Lee (1997-present)
Cover art only J.R.R. Tolkien (1937-present) · Pauline Baynes (1970-1989) · Roger Garland (1983-1991) · John Howe (1991-present) · Ted Nasmith (1990) · Geoff Taylor (1999)
Illustrators of official Tolkien calendars
Emily Austin (2023) · Pauline Baynes (1973, 1974) · Cor Blok (2011, 2012) · Jemima Catlin (2014) · Jenny Dolfen (2023) · Inger Edelfeldt (1985) · Mary Fairburn (2015) · Roger Garland (1984, 1987, 1988, 1989) · Spiros Gelekas (2023) · Justin Gerard (2023) · Donato Giancola (2023) · Michael Hague (1986) · The Brothers Hildebrandt (1976 US, 1977 US, 1978 US) · John Howe (1987, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2013, 2021) · Tove Jansson (2016) · Michael Kaluta (1994) · Tim Kirk (1975) · Alan Lee (1987, 1993, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024) · Ted Nasmith (1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2021, 2022) · Kip Rasmussen (2023) · Darrell Sweet (1982) · J.R.R. Tolkien (1973, 1974, 1976 UK, 1977 UK, 1978 UK, 1979, 2005, 2006, 2017)
Retrieved from "https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Alan_Lee&oldid=386065"