Turgon Aran Gondolin

Turgon Aran Gondolin


I’ve got way too much work for my own good these days.. but since I actually managed to draw something, I’d better post it.. so that you’ll know I’m not quite dead.. yet – even if I seem to have very little time for dA or drawing or anything at the moment.

So.... Turgon. When I first read the Silmarillion ages ago, I didn’t think much of him. He was always left a bit in the background and his decision to remain in Gondolin despite Ulmo’s counsel seemed proud and even somewhat foolish. But later, as I’ve read the book again and again, I’ve become to think of Turgon as one of my favourites. There’s depth in his character that may (and must, since not much is said) be read between the lines.. like the motivations for his actions and decisions.

I wanted the portrait to show the many aspects of Turgon somehow.. he could be a benevolent father and king, but also a solemn judge and high priest. Old and wise, yet a strong and formidable warrior. Sometimes stubborn, proud and quick to anger like most of the Noldor, yet cautious and prudent.. weighing his actions carefully and considering the welfare of his people. A wise ruler and a great artist.. one of the greatest architects in Middle-earth too. All these were the impressions I drew my inspiration from. And this is how I believe he looked like when Tuor first saw him.. as the king of Gondolin and High King of all the Noldor in Exile.

It’s a shame that Tolkien never finished the new version of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin, but some ideas can be found in his notes. There Turgon is described as “tallest of all the Children of the World, save Thingol” and he’s said to have worn white and gold and carried a sword in an ivory scabbard. White, ceremonial robes is what I chose to draw for him.. and feathers and wings seem like a good theme for the Gondolindrim as a reminder of Vinyamar and sea birds.. as well as the Eagles that guard their mountainous borders.

With all that said, this was a quick drawing done without much planning. I drew him with longer hair than I usually do.. that’s how I see him in the late years of Gondolin. The vambrances (which have humongous opals and seem to be welded on.. ) I’ve drawn before, although I have no idea where they came from.. but as for the clearly Dwarven necklace.. that just happened. I had already drawn most of it before I realised it looked exactly like my Nauglamír design and started thinking why would Turgon be wearing something like that in the first place.. Well, I suppose Maeglin could have made it, being familiar with Dwarven crafts. Or something. All the other decoration “just happened” as well.. His crown started out as a simple circlet with a single gem and somehow converted into that winged.. tiara.. thing. Not too sure about that either. But I definitely didn’t want to draw a “crown-helm” – a rather silly idea that Tolkien was so fond of (heck, he wrote wonderful books, but his sense of style.. ). And the idea of having Turgon’s heraldry include “the sun, the moon and a scarlet heart..?” Sheesh. With all due respect, of course.

Anyway, nothing special.. HB pencil, the usual deal. A few hours (mostly spent staring blankly at the paper).