Middle Earth & LOTR Tribute Inspiration

I enjoyed watching the documentary The Real Middle Earth that relates some of the influences J.R.R. Tolkien's upbringing and landscapes of his native England had on his momentous novel. Good glimpse into his life and work.

And watching it inspired some of my sketch work! Something I haven't done in a while and had a lot of fun with! I sketched a Hobbit and an Elf using an orange and blue gel pen (see below). Felt good. ^_^

2020 UPDATE: In these difficult days, I was again inspired and encouraged by LOTR in this video tribute (5min):

 

 
"I am a Christian," Tolkien wrote, "and indeed a Roman Catholic, so that I do not expect 'history' to be anything but a 'long defeat' - though it contains (and in a legend may contain more clearly and movingly) some samples or glimpses of final victory." 

Above excerpt from

Abiding the Long Defeat with J.R.R. Tolkien: Faithfulness in a Disenchanted Time

 UPDATE: Vocalist Sara Groves "The Long Defeat" song without LOTR video :

Lyrics of The Long Defeat found here

 

 

 

Tolkien's reflection on Frodo's failure to destroy the Ring will always live with me.

"Frodo undertook his quest out of love – to save the world he knew from disaster at his own expense, if he could; and also in complete humility, acknowledging that he was wholly inadequate to… pic.twitter.com/LwX4ky5zjc

— The Culturist (@the_culturist_) January 16, 2026

BONUS: Tolkien Reads Passage of Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien reads the 'The Eagle's Song', hailing the defeat of Sauron to the people of Minas Tirith.

In this rare surviving audio, he delivers the Eagle's message with a formal, biblical cadence reflecting the style of the Psalms. The proclamation begins: 'Sing, People of… https://t.co/qR2W6lqKUa pic.twitter.com/9gmmS9j2Ww

— LOTR Universe (@Lordoftheringsu) April 23, 2026

© O. Douglas Jennings. All rights reserved.