Thread by @JoelMerriner

#Tolkien illustration MEGA-THREAD Alert!
Lately I've been on a visual odyssey, happily tweeting key #LotR moments as depicted by two different illustrators. I'm not finished yet (haven't even reached Mordor) but have a look at the journey so far...
(Image: Roger Garland c.1987)

As a little thank you to all the kind souls who have borne my ramblings to the verge of 1000 followers I present a whistle stop visual tour of #LotR
Same scene/two artists - first up Gandalf arrives in Hobbiton by Michael Kaluta (c. 1993) and Sergei Iukhimov (1991) #Tolkien

Part 2 of our whistle-stop visual tour through #LotR taking in key scenes by different illustrators. Tonight we happen upon Bilbo's Long-expected Party, first as a Breughel-esque character study by Inger Edelfeldt (1983) then a painterly mood piece by Lidia Postma (1997) #Tolkien

Part 3 of our visual trek through #LotR viewing key scenes from different illustrators brings us to four young Hobbits (plus ponies) on the threshold of the Old Forest. Sending them into the shadows are the enigmatic Mary Fairburn (1968) and Hungary's Győző Vida (1981) #Tolkien

Part 4 of our visual tour through key scenes of #LotR illustrated by different artists deposits us deep within a Barrow Downs burial mound. Offering up the Hobbits to the creeping undead sword-hand of the Wight are Alexander Nikolaev (1991) and Matthew Stewart (2013) #Tolkien

Part 5 of our visual odyssey through pivotal scenes from #LOTR brings us to a rarely depicted but oft imagined clash of powers - Gandalf versus the Nazgûl at Weathertop. First up we have Sarah Beach's subtle 1986 monochrome followed by Theodore Matthews' vivid 2016 riot #Tolkien

Part 6 of our visual expedition through key #LOTR scenes finds us at the sharp end of Asfaloth's mad dash across the Ford of Bruinen. Subjecting Frodo to the evil attentions of the Ringwraiths are minimalist Cor Blok (c. 1960) and old-school hero Angus McBride (c. 1989) #Tolkien

Part 7 of our visual trek through key #LOTR moments and tonight we witness Elrond's fiery flashback tale of of the Forging of the One Ring. Presenting Sauron in his most infamous moment are pen and ink wizard Patrick Wynne (c.1990) and boldly graphic Krampusvon (2018) #Tolkien

Part 8 of our visual quest to discover key #LOTR scenes depicted by different illustrators and today we encounter the Fellowship besieged by ravenous Wargs. Taking us within a whisker of the snapping teeth are Igor Kordej (c. 1995) and Catherine Karina Chmiel (c. 2003) #Tolkien

Part 9 of our visual trek through key #LOTR scenes brings us to the fiery denouement of the Fellowshp's sojourn in Moria darkness at the bridge of Khazad-dûm. Poised to plunge Gandalf and the Balrog into the abyss are Ryûichi Terashima (c. 1972) and Roger Garland (1983) #Tolkien

Part 10 of our visual odyssey through key #LOTR moments brings us to Caras Galadhon, city of the Galadhrim in Lothlórien. Preparing to send the Fellowship up among the high mallorn flets are early pioneer Joan Wyatt (1979) and the luminous brush of Ulla Thynell (c. 2013) #Tolkien

Part 11 of our visual foray into key #LOTR scenes brings us to the banks of the Silverlode as Galadriel distributes gifts to the Fellowship. Tim Kirk's Elven Queen hands Frodo the Phial (c.1974) whilst Denis Gordeev's Gimli begs for a lock of her golden hair (c. 2015) #Tolkien

Part 12 of our visual journey through key #LOTR scenes brings us to the point of no return for flawed hero Boromir. Pitting him against the orcs in xylographic fashion is Mathieu Prost (c. 2020) and conjuring the pains of St Sebastian is my old pal Sergei Iukhimov (1988) #Tolkien

Part 13 of our visual foray into key #LOTR scenes brings us to the Uruk-hai as plucky Hobbit lad Pippin plots his and Merry's daring escape. Taking advantage of Uglúk's head-lopping is Cor Blok (c. 1960), whilst depositing the Elven brooch is Aleksandr Kortich (c. 1980s) #Tolkien

Part 14 of our visual odyssey through key #LOTR scenes and we join Treebeard, Merry and Pippin deep within Fangorn forest. Conjuring two superbly gnarled, mossy Ent encounters are fantasy/sci fi elder Rodney Matthews (1989) and conceptual wizard Alvaro Ramirez (c. 2019) #Tolkien

Part 15 of our visual escapade through key #LOTR scenes and we join four weary travellers as they enter the golden hall of Meduseld in Rohan. Illuminating the tapestry of Eorl the Young with a ray of morning sunlight are Pauline Martin (c. 1978) and Joan Wyatt (c. 1979) #Tolkien

Part 16 of our visual quest to uncover key #LOTR scenes brings us to Helm's Deep and the Battle of the Hornburg. Placing us up close and personal to the Uruks and hillmen is Ian Miller (detail, c.1978) whereas unleashing axe, arrow and Andúril is Anton Lomaev (c. 2000) #Tolkien

Part 17 of our visual trek through key #LOTR scenes grants us a ringside seat as the Ents unleash their green fury upon Isengard. Portraying howling, frenzied tree herders amidst deadly flying debris are trusty heroes Ian Miller (c. 1978) and Aleksandr Kortich (c. 1980s) #Tolkien

Part 18 of our visual quest through key #LOTR scenes finds us at the wreck of Isengard with a besieged Saruman confronting Gandalf and co. Portraying Gríma's palantír shot with intertextual verve is Sergei Iukhimov (1990) whilst Igor Kordej (1995) opts for the full vista #Tolkien

Part 19 of our visual journey through key #LOTR scenes and we find ourselves alongside Frodo, Sam and Gollum at the Crossroads. Depicting the Orc-scrawled but still unbowed statue of the old king are Cor Blok (c. 1960) and Patrick Wynne (c.1982) #Tolkien

Part 20 of our visual trek through key #LOTR scenes brings us to the Stone of Erech, gathering place of the Dead. Focussing on the unearthly black dome is Rob Alexander (c. 1997), whilst revealing the eerie panoply of the Oathbreaker's summoning is Lída Holubová (2019) #Tolkien