Walking Further Into Middle‑earth: A New Adventure
What comes next for Visions of Middle‑earth: A new series and a new offering
Dear friends, with Tolkien Reading Day coming this week, I’ve been thinking about how this project has grown and how much your presence has shaped it. What began as a place to share my illustrations and thoughts behind them has become an encouraging community of people who care about Tolkien’s Legendarium and beautiful art. I’m grateful for every one of you.
I have lots of ideas for new posts, whether they’re specific illustrations or various topics from the Legendarium. But I’ve been thinking it would be good to have some sort of plan for future posts, so I know what to write next and so you know what to expect.
And I realised that the clear path forward was right in front of me, like the Road that goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began…
Literally, in my illustration The Road Goes Ever On inspired by the eponymous song, I show the journey of The Hobbit. And that is exactly what I have in mind.
A new series: The Hobbit, chapter by chapter
As you may have seen if you are following me here, I’ve been working on a personal project: creating illustrations based on each chapter of The Hobbit.
This year’s Tolkien Reading Day theme is Unlikely Heroes, which ties in really well with this series. After all, Bilbo is the quintessential unlikely hero, so revisiting his journey feels like the perfect way to celebrate the day.
So beginning on 25 March, I’ll be starting a series of posts focusing of The Hobbit, with a post for each of the chapter illustrations and various bonus posts exploring other themes.
One such post, before we start looking at The Hobbit chapter by chapter, explores the theme Unlikely Heroes, looking specifically at Bilbo Baggins:
My plan is to share share the illustrations in this series I’ve created so far (which will hopefully also motivate me to keep creating more), exploring the scenes that I included, my sources of inspiration, themes and symbols, and how they shaped the final artwork. But I will also show my other pieces illustrating these chapters of The Hobbit or related to them, showcase some illustrations by other artists, as well as share some other thoughts on the story itself.
Is there anything in The Hobbit that you’d particularly like to explore? Let me know in the comments:
Starting this Hobbit series does not mean that I will stop posting other things. Especially since I’ve currently finished only six illustrations out of a total of 19 chapters, I’ll have to mix in other things between the chapters of The Hobbit until I have time to finish the remaining illustrations.
I have several posts in various stages of progress on things such as gardens in Middle-earth, elven architecture, the Song of Durin or the Music of the Ainur, so you have plenty to look forward to.
Also, if you are interested in a more literary read-through of The Hobbit, I’d like to wholeheartedly recommend the work of my friend Breanne | Celebreabird at Many Meetings who hosts The Hobbit read-through starting on the Tolkien Reading Day as well:
A new offering for those who want to delve deeper
Over the past weeks, many of you have shared what you’d like to see more of: deeper explorations of Tolkien’s world, more insight into the art process, and ways to engage more closely with the illustrations and themes.
To meet that interest, I’d like to offer you something new.
Some of you have already joined as paid supporters even before anything exclusive existed, and I’m truly grateful for that early trust. But I would like to introduce more: more depth, more behind‑the‑scenes material, more ways to participate, and more things you can keep and use.
Here’s what I’ll be offering to paid subscribers:
1. Longform essays on Tolkien’s Legendarium
Deeper explorations of places, characters, artifacts, themes, and symbols. Pieces in the spirit of my earlier essay on the Crown of Gondor. These take time to research and shape, but I’m looking forward to creating more of them if you are interested.
2. Behind‑the‑scenes art process
Sketches, studies, and glimpses into how the illustrations come together, including early access to finished pieces and various sketches that I don’t share publicly, as well as peeks into my studio. Here is a detailed post about my illustration Good Morning:
3. A community that helps shape what comes next
The best thing about Tolkien online spaces is the community and I love when you engage with each other in the comments and chat. But I want this to be also a place where your interests genuinely influence the work. I’d like to open places for paid subscribers to your questions and suggestions that could guide future illustrations and essays.
4. Free downloadable content
Printable art, colouring pages, and other little extras that you can use.
5. A discount at my Etsy shop
20% discount on art prints and other items in my Etsy shop.
We must away…
The research, the essays, and the illustrations all require many hours of focused work. I’m of course happy when you purchase my original paintings or art prints, but I’d like to offer another way to support my work.
And to be honest with you, in the current day with all the AI-generated stuff coming from everywhere, I am feeling a bit of anxiety about the future and I think the support of true human creativity it is more needed than ever.
A paid tier allows me to continue on this adventure, devote more time to this craft and to create more ambitious pieces showing you the visions of Middle-earth. It’s a way to sustain the work with the depth and care that Tolkien’s world deserves.
If you choose to share in an adventure, I’m grateful. And if the free posts are where you prefer to stay, it’s ok. Nothing changes there.
…ere break of day
It was long after the break of day, when he woke up.
—J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit
Do not be like Bilbo, or you might find “a fearful mess in the room, and piles of unwashed crocks in the kitchen”.
I’m kidding. But I would greatly appreciate you joining me in this adventure and to mark Tolkien Reading Day, I’m opening an early‑bird offer for those who want to support this new chapter from the beginning.
What will the new members of the annual paid tier receive:
🌟 You can suggest a scene from Tolkien’s Legendarium for me to sketch, a small way for you to directly influence what I draw next.1
🌟 The first 30 will receive 50% off the annual price.
After the early‑bird spots are filled, the regular annual price will apply.
Thank you
Thank you for reading, for your messages, and for being part of this project. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.
With gratitude,
Matěj
If I like it enough, I might possibly turn it into a full illustration, but generally these should be pencil sketchbook sketches.
Nice to see new art!