Minas Tirith - Black walls!

[OSHIROmodels]

As above chaps. It might not happen, but just in case it does I need some pointers.

John Howe (my personal preference)


Alan Lee original (I think)


Peter Jackson/Alan version


Film version


If something different please post examples  

cheers

James

[Silent Invader]

Photos?






 

[OSHIROmodels]

Photos?

Of?

[Silent Invader]

Of?

A John Howe, Allan Lee etc.  I only know the Peter Jackson version and am intrigued

[Elbows]

Yep, can't say I've seen many versions of Minastirith.  Heck I haven't read the books in so long I can't remember a proper description.  Honestly I'd go with what the book says and what it makes your mind see (which will be infinitely harder since you have several aesthetic sources now).

[Vermis]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=alan+lee+minas+tirith

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=john+howe+minas+tirith

Alan Lee's delicate pencils and watercolours are purdy, but I'm a bit of a fanboy of t'other.

http://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gallery/details.php?image_id=503

[Red Orc]

The one from the ICE book, or the one from 'Journeys of Frodo'. They at least have maps (you have to have maps). There's also an 'Atlas of Middle-Earth' but I don't have that - so I wouldn't try to build Minas Tirith to its plans.

This is one of Alan Lee's versions:

And this is John Howe's though he seems to have been somewhat dissatisfied with it:

[OSHIROmodels]

Well, I was going to post pictures but got beaten to it 

There are more of course, just type the name into google images  

cheers

James

[Emir of Askaristan]

Build your own  - read and think about the story without looking at the films, books or calendars produced. After all we're now used to "seeing" Howe/Lee/Jackson images of almost every aspect of Tolkien's world. So strike out on your own and give it a try.

The film version got it right for me in one aspect only - the white stone made for a Mediterranean feel - it was too small and narrow.
Each of the peoples of middle earth were rooted in a real historic people and the folk of Gondor and their Numenorian predecessors are no exception. Byzantium seems to be the inspiration for Tolkien here and Constantinople would be the obvious choice, but perhaps Ravenna or Thessaloniki can provide some inspiration?

[beefcake]

I like the Howe version myself but due to the films I think the Alan Lee will be more recognisable f that is what you are after.

[Vermis]

The film version got it right for me in one aspect only - the white stone made for a Mediterranean feel

Only the outer wall was supposed to be the same black stone as Orthanc.

I'd tend to agree it looks a bit narrow, too; but if you go nerding into the history of it, does it's origins as a guard for the real city make much difference?

[Ray Earle]

I liked the film version.

Looked alright to me. 

[Andym]

Build your own  - read and think about the story without looking at the films, books or calendars produced. After all we're now used to "seeing" Howe/Lee/Jackson images of almost every aspect of Tolkien's world. So strike out on your own and give it a try.

The film version got it right for me in one aspect only - the white stone made for a Mediterranean feel - it was too small and narrow.
Each of the peoples of middle earth were rooted in a real historic people and the folk of Gondor and their Numenorian predecessors are no exception. Byzantium seems to be the inspiration for Tolkien here and Constantinople would be the obvious choice, but perhaps Ravenna or Thessaloniki can provide some inspiration?

That sounds like a cracking idea! Go on James, do the definitive version. None of the namby-pamby Jackson crap!  

Wait....so your to do list James involves Minas Tirith AND  a Super Star Destroyer?!?! Why don't you just go and build them all 1:1 scale while you're at it?

[OSHIROmodels]

Thanks for the replies and votes so far chaps. Remember that this is a possible maybe and might not ever happen 

Build your own

That did occur to me and might still be the way to go although I do prefer the Howe version as it's the closest thing I had in my head when reading the book (which I haven't done since the films came out  ).

That sounds like a cracking idea! Go on James, do the definitive version. None of the namby-pamby Jackson crap! 

Wait....so your to do list James involves Minas Tirith AND  a Super Star Destroyer?!?! Why don't you just go and build them all 1:1 scale while you're at it?

I never said I was going to build a Super Star Destroyer, you lot are just thinking I did 

The definitive version hmm, I think Jackson has beaten me to it but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot 

Keep the votes coming in though chaps 

cheers

James

[Emir of Askaristan]

Only the outer wall was supposed to be the same black stone as Orthanc.

Ok, white, apart from that black bit - it's been a while since I read the book!