SciFi and Fantasy Art: The Sage

Tim I just had too comment, as it is scandalous that no one else has!! I love the story behind this sage and the picture is fantastic, I love his long limbs, he has a spider -like quality? Don't you think? He also has an edge about him which leads me too believe that Nylrem should be cautious!!! Great work, I admire your amazing talent and imagination. Your style of sketching is reminiscent of mine, I like deep shadows and strong contrasts, I have been looking at your stuff for several hours now, through the night and without wishing too sound too cheesy and creepy, I am in awe of your ability and I wish I could produce work even half as good as your work. Would you consider e-mailing me, I would love too talk art with you, I loved your Edgar Allan Poe interpretations, and your work that has influences of Dali in it. My e-mail is abridgnell@hotmail.com.

Timothy R. Haldane replies: "Well, you'd be the first to actually see the picture, I'm sure. I've only just barely put it up, so it's not too scandalous I've only one comment. =) Thanks for the praise as well. I'm trying to go for a newish genre with this, I think - psychological fantasy. Maybe not so new. Stephen King's Dark Tower series is very much that kind of head trip."

I really like this pic it reminds me of the weird little guy of the lord of the rings (my precious) you know that guy! well like I said be for you are awesome

Fiara ^_~

Timothy R. Haldane replies: "Oh, dear. You're right. I never EVER intended the Sage to look like Gollum from LOTR, honest. (I thought he looked more like an Elf-version of Rafiki from The Lion King!) In fact, I am bewildered and amazed to see that Peter Jackson's Gollum (from the Two Towers trailers) appears to look and even MOVE like the Sage (frail old man, spidery movement, chained wrists), when I think my mental picture of Gollum has always been less human, more goblin-like from his appearance in the Hobbit cartoon. Given their shared roles as guides, Gollum and the Sage, I'm afraid it looks far too much like I've deliberately copied the great Tolkein, when really I've been trying to go for the fantasy equivalent of an insane asylum escapee. Maybe it's just as simple as emphasizing that this guy is tall, whereas Gollum is short... or is that just a cop-out. I dunno. Oi vey."

You're right. he does look like Gollum, but he's still pretty cool. Nice job.

Timothy R. Haldane replies: "Incidentally, I drew this picture several months before any imagery came out on The Two Towers, and I usually catch the previews and BTS material before most others. But thanks.... *shrug*"

Even the description already reminded me of gollum... even before reading the other comments... I really like the idea though and he's not that similar as to say it would be irritating. Are we ever gonna see a more full version?

Timothy R. Haldane replies: "I'm not sure if I'll do another of the Sage any time soon. I generally only draw as the inspiration comes to me, and the whole Gollum connection here kinda hurt that. But really, he's less Gollum, and more like a vision / voice inside the head of the protagonist. Granted, he serves as an untrustworthy guide of sorts, but he's more of a phantom than a constant presence. And as the protagonist begins losing his hold on reality, progressively The Sage becomes the glue that holds it all together."

i Really think the only reason they are relating him to the LOTR is the way he is standing/croutching...and so on
but really he is Much diffrent
Gollum is more goblin like and you Can see the man like features in your drawing.i Just think its mostly the way he is posed
I Thinks its a Great draewing and Very original
The Markings on him.....do they mean anything?
But dont tell yourself or anyone else that you copied gollum bacause he is nothing like the person i see in your Drawing
Good luck and Great job
Amy