mariebrunelm's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Donato Giancola may not be one of the Big Three (the three illustrators published by HarperCollins since the 1990s and delighting us for just as long - Alan Lee, John Howe, Ted Nasmith), but his art is just as enchanting. His classical training gives his painting a historical feel: some of them might have been painted centuries ago, which is a compliment. But they always stand out because of an original point of view, or a character's poignant expression. His art book offers a range of paintings and drawings, all of the latter being pencil sketches on brown paper with white highlights, aka my favourite type of drawings because of the life and the dynamism it gives to the scene. Giancola really is a master and although the book is short on text, his pictures really do speak for themselves.
trike's review against another edition
3.0
Giancola is a master artist and I love his work. Some of these paintings are genuinely spectacular. My only real complaint about this book is that it is heavy on the Gandalf at the expense of other characters. Tolkien’s world is both deep and wide, but this kind of feels like we’re just dipping our toes into the water.
On the plus side, there is an entire section on the Silmarillion, which is usually ignored by artists, so I quite enjoyed seeing some of those scenes brought to life.
On the plus side, there is an entire section on the Silmarillion, which is usually ignored by artists, so I quite enjoyed seeing some of those scenes brought to life.
mjspice's review
4.0
Didn't read the summary so thought this was a graphic novel. Not disappointed tho as the art is amazing.
kabrahams's review against another edition
4.5
Gorgeous Tolkien art book with big illustrations! Very classical approach with a focus on faces and bodies whereas most other Tolkien artists focus on landscapes.
rlaferney's review against another edition
5.0
Donato Giancola is one of my favorite illustrators. He sort of blends high renaissance and Baroque style of painting with the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien. Giancola is a master craftsmen in the lineage of some of the greats of art history. His work often reminds me of Peter Paul Rubens and Caravaggio. That's high praise.
etienne02's review against another edition
5.0
If you love art and Tolkien universe this book is a must-have-read! Masterworks of art! really beautiful. I would have like more art of location, but still... Every artwork is stunning, and really bring to life the vision of Tolkien work by the artist. i really like it and will return to it often.
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