"Gondolin" by Billy Mosig

How could you be disatisfied with this, dude, it's so awesome. I would give almost anything to be able to draw like you can.

Billy Mosig replies: "Thanks! I think the key for a good picture is not talent, but rather patience hahaha."

Hey,This is one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen!! But I do understand the dissatisfaction that you felt as an artist.. It's very difficult to transfer our exact vision of something into a painting, however hard we may try.. Being an amateur artist myself(I mean REALLY amateur ) and a fan Tolkien's world, I have experienced it often when I look at my Tolkien-inspired art after some time.

Regarding this painting, my only criticism is that the city appears too close to the encircling mountains. I might be wrong, but isn't the city supposed to be in the midst of a large plain or field?

Other than that, I find it picture-perfect..

Great work ! Count me as a new addition to your list of fans!

CHEERS !!!!

Billy Mosig replies: "Yeah, that is my problem. When I read a book, I get clear images of the scenes, and it is very hard to translate those images into a painting. It neves comes out exactly as I pictured it in my head, that is the reason why I sometimes feel dissatisfied with my art. I guess many artists out here feel the same way I do. As for the city, there is a field that extends after the city, in the distance. However, I do not picture the city as being exactly at the center of the field, so from the point of view of the spectator, the city is closer to the mountains. I'm glad you pointed that out! I'm sorry for the delayed reply, I usually have classes and homework and I'm not able to reply right away."

Again i must say the vision is beautiful!!! i love Tolkien

Billy Mosig replies: "Thanks! I'm glad you all enjoy this picture, that tells me I did my job right!"

Alright don't get me wrong...this is a amazing picture...but when I see it...it looks more like a human city. The wonder of the elves was their magical-ness (made a word!)The city needs an aura to it. A little more color than all blues greens grey/whites. Maybe a slight shade of pink and orange, like the sunset light peaking through the mountains and reflecting a little on the pearly city walls? the city is pretty sterile as is...and it might make the painting come alive...

It looks so real! Alcarin tur

Finaly someone got it right!!!! Hannon Le!

Wow! Some of the setup of the city looks a little awkward, but the actual way you painted it all is amazing. I particularly like the mountains - they're so realistically irregular. It's a beautiful picture. It even reminds me a bit of Alan Lee and John Howe.

If you read the account of the Fall of Gondolin in the Book of Lost Tales 2, the city's described in greater detail, as is the battle. Such a tragedy to lose all that beauty...but WHAT an army of evil it was that attacked!

Hi Billy, many thanks for dropping by my page - I see what you mean about the simularity in perspective between yours and mine. Uncanny in fact. This is beautiful. I think we’ve both tried to solve the problem of getting a closer look at the city by bringing it closer to the "wall". Like you I’ve never seen the place as being bang in the centre of a perfectly circular valley so personally I don’t have problem with pulling it this way a bit. I did a more literal sketch of the place once and you don’t really have much scope for showing the look of the place as its too far away from you.
Great piece of watercolour work, love the mountains Nice gallery as well.

I need to know where the bridge leads from the King’s tower!

I think this works very well. I think you’ve captured its non human architecture quite well. Elves lived forever, they could afford to build really complex structures and spend decades on decoration once the walls for defence were in place.