The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook
Alan Lee
Publication Date: October 19, 2005
Price: $30.00 hardcover
ISBN: 0-618-64014-2 * 150 b/w illustrations, 20 full-color plates

In The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook, world-renowned artist Alan Lee reveals his approach to depicting J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginary world, both on the page and the screen. An internationally acclaimed illustrator of Tolkien's books, Lee was also one of the conceptual designers on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he earned an Academy Award®. To celebrate the publication of the book in October, Houghton Mifflin, Tolkien's official U.S. publisher for over sixty years, is bringing Lee to the United States for a national tour.

The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook presents more than 150 of Lee's celebrated illustrations to show how his imagery for both the illustrated Lord of the Rings and the films progressed from concept to finished art. In addition, the book contains 20 full-color plates and numerous examples of the conceptual art produced for Peter Jackson's film adaptation.

As Ian McKellen (who plays Gandalf in the films) notes in his thoughtful foreword to the book, it was Lee's illustrations of Tolkien's books — as well as artist John Howe's — that originally inspired Jackson's vision of Middle-earth. The sketchbook "'feels and looks like other artists' records of great journeys to foreign lands," McKellen says. "But in Alan Lee's case, his sketches of Middle-earth and its inhabitants preceded the travel, and the country he helped uncover in New Zealand was partly of his own making."

Accompanying the artwork in the book is a fascinating commentary by Lee, including personal anecdotes and explanations of his methods, his intent, and his role on a project as vast as the film trilogy. There is no doubt that Lee's involvement in the movie was critical in making of the big-screen version of Tolkien's tale as authentic and respectful of the literature as it is.

Offering amazing "insight into an artist's mind and a close-up of his pen, pencil, and brushes at work," as McKellen describes it, The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook is sure to captivate all Tolkien fans, as well as aspiring artists and book illustrators.

ABOUT ALAN LEE

Inspired by Tolkien's work to pursue his chosen path as an artist of the mythic and fantastic, Alan Lee has illustrated a wide range of books, including The Hobbit, Faeries (with Brian Froud), The Mabinogion, Castles, The Mirrorstone, The Moon's Revenge, Merlin Dreams, Black Ships Before Troy, and The Wanderings of Odysseus. Lee began work in the film industry as a conceptual designer on the film Legend. He also did design work on Terry Jones' feature film Erik the Viking and the miniseries Merlin. Lee has received several prestigious awards, including the Carnegie Medal for his illustrated edition of The Iliad, the Kate Greenaway Medal for Black Ships Before Troy, and the Best Artist Award at the World Fantasy Awards of 1998.

NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE

NEW YORK
Books of Wonder — Saturday, October 22, 12:00 noon

PHILADELPHIA
Friends Select School — Monday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
(Sponsored by Joseph Fox Bookshop)

ATLANTA
Chapter 11, Peachtree Battle — Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.

AUSTIN
BookPeople — Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.

DENVER
Tattered Cover, LoDo — Thursday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.

SALT LAKE CITY
Borders Books, Murray — Friday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO
Book Passage, Corte Madera — Saturday, October 29, 7:00 p.m.
The Booksmith — Sunday, October 30, 2:00 p.m.

SEATTLE
University Bookstore — Monday, October 31, 7:00 p.m.

PORTLAND
Powell's Books, Beaverton — Tuesday, November 1, 7:00 p.m.

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