Art by Mithrial - Perhaps Glorfindel or is it the fair but false face of Sauron - Annatar?

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Prompt and Path: Blue path step eight: Realistic
Format: Digital art
Genre:Illustration (Portrait)
Rating:Gen
Warnings:None
Characters:Glorfindel or Annatar?
Pairings:None
Creator’s Notes (optional):I have jumped a few squares along the blue path as this is where this art attempt seems to fit in.
Summary:Well this started out to be Glorfindel, but the more I worked on it the more it felt like it might be the false face of Sauron as 'Annatar'. You must decide and I'd be interested in who you perceive it to be.



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Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like this! Wouldn't it be annoying if Sauron chose Glorfindel, or strongly resembling him, as his 'guise' as Annatar? Celebrimbor was probably an elfling in Aman; he might have known Glorfindel casually but wouldn't really have mingled with him, I don't think. I don't know how much he or the other jewel-smiths would have seen Glorfindel later, after Glorfindel's return, if they crossed paths at all. So if he knew of Glorfindel but didn't really know him, Sauron taking the guise of the Balrog-Slayer would have been the sort of private cruel joke Sauron would have enjoyed, I think.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Well - cruel tricks were certainly Sauron's thing. Though I hadn't thought of him using Glorfindel's face for the deception.
Gil-galad and Elrond weren't fooled though.
I had thought of turning this .jpg file into a .gif and making the eyes glow red for a moment.

[shirebound]

Annatar, for me!

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Hee!

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

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[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I think I will go with Glorfindel - but I can see how it might be Annatar.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Yes - it's definitely in the eye (or mind) of the beholder.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

What a stunningly executed image. I don't care who he is, although his gaze hold something . . .

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thank you Elwen.
All part of learning how to draw again after years just running after kids. X

[lynndyre.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* Sauron!

There's just something in that expression! Gorgeously done.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's great to find out who people see.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

A very compelling image. I think it's Annatar.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Linda.
Still thinking of making a gif with glowing eyes.XX

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Joining the Annatar crowd! There's just... something in those eyes that suggests evil. Probably also because of the almost-too-perfect features. I can't help feeling that if someone looks that chiselled, they're hiding something. Not sure that makes sense, but my first reaction is definitely "Sauron".
Either way, excellent work!

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thanks Oloriel,
Yes it does make sense. That's exactly how I saw things develop as I drew him. X

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

There is a mixture of beauty and cruelty in this face so I would definitely choose Annatar. For me Glorfindel's face would not be so chilling. ;P

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Yes - I see that in the face too.

[liadt]

Beautiful, yet there is something in his expression that isn't, so I'd say Sauron!

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I think Annatar is winning. :D

[engarian.livejournal.com]

He's quite lovely, but there is a bit of calculation in his eyes that I don't think would have normally been found in Glorfindel's )(although there certainly would be times when it would appear). My vote is for Annatar.

- Erulisse (one L)

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

I think this is my best so far. I spent more time setting it up and concentrated on light and shade.
Quite amazing who turned up. Even as the artist, I didn't really know till he fully appeared.
I agree with you - Annatar.
The temptation is to make it into a gif so the eyes glow red when least expected.
Thanks for your comments. X

[independence1776]

This is fabulous! I don't, however, have an opinion on who he is; I can see both.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Indy. He started out as one then the eyes turned him into another.
Will have to work up to drawing Feanor and Melkor. They will probably wear me out. XX