Donato Giancola artwork

northman wrote:

It's pretty hard finding Donatos Tolkien art for sale as it seems pretty much all his oilpaintings and his sketches have ended up in private collections. This year the sketch for 'search in Rohan' was put up for sale on ebay however and for a price almost identical to the price it was listed at originally at Donatos site. I was lucky to get it for my collection as its one of my absolute favourites among his middle-earth pieces. Removing a piece of protective paper on the backside of the canvas (i always check the backside on art i buy) i found an unexpected bonus: an idea sketch for his 'Merry and Pippin in Fangorn Forest'.

That is awesome northman!

Wonderful !!! (Envy) XD

That's definitely a great piece!

Is the mat done that way because there is other unrelated sketchwork at the top of the canvas? Just curious, it doesn't detract from the fabulous piece.

My original Donato is the dragon for my avatar (specifically used here and elsewhere with his permission).

That IS a nice bonus! Congrats northman.

Wonderful! Congrats!

That is beautiful.

Wonderful drawing - thanks for posting!

Here is my Donato drawing: an original study he did for his 'Beren and Luthien in the court of Thingol and Melian' painting. I have two other pieces by him - both paintings - but this is my favourite.

Edit: For anyone interested, there is a superb account written by the artist of the creation of this very large painting on the 'Muddy Colors' blog site, and you can also see the drawing here mentioned/depicted also:

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/02/sl ... rt-of-thingol-and-melian/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/02/oil-painting-progress/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/03/progress-inch-by-inch/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/03/three-questions/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/04/gr ... undhog-day-groundhog-day/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/05/final-stages/

https://www.muddycolors.com/2015/06/the-final-stretch/

The drawing also appears in the art book "Middle-Earth: Journeys in Myth and Legend" (I definitely need to get a copy of this beauty):

https://www.google.com/search?q=Middle ... :79231517,vid:pcaNgk6pt78

(p.s. if you watch the video you will see Northman's drawing in there also).

Thank you guys. Uruloke can you post a picture of your Donato Dragon? Lake Town Geezer (great nick!) that is amazing to see. I love that piece also, both the drawing and the painting.

I added a picture of my Donato finally properly framed and up on a wall. I also added my second Donato purchase this year. A limited edition illustrated 'Dragonbone Chair' from GrimOaks Press signed by Donato and Tad. Just a beautiful book with illustrations that hit the nail on the head. The cover shows his icedragon.

Thanks Northman. Really wonderful book. I almost purchased a copy myself (also being a massive Tad Williams fan). You can still purchase some of the original art from that on Donato's web-site. Really I am very tempted to 'splash the cash' on one TBH.

My Tolkien art collection is very much based on the theme of 'Beren and Luthien'. Here is another example for you to enjoy. This is one of the original preparatory drawings that Ted Nasmith did for his incredible 'Luthien' painting - that featured in the 1991 (I think) HC Tolkien calendar. It is actually one of a collection of 18 (!) drawings that Ted did for the painting. Apparently, these are originally based on a ballet dancer friend who modelled for this image. Just beautiful! I have the drawing collection framed alongside a full sized signed print of the final painting (alas I don't have the painting).

Image removed at request of poster

Edit: Note I removed the drawing, as I realise it has never been actually published. If anyone wants to see a photo just message me - happy to share. Boy, do I love these drawings!