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| The King's Commission by Larner | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| annmarwalk | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 2/13/2005 |
| I've not done any nitpicking - there's little to be done! but I'm not sure I understand the meaning of this: "on an easel stood an aetherial drawing which was obviously a work in progress of Elves facing a great dragon." Could you please clafify what you mean by this? I enjoyed the story of Frodo becoming friends with the shopkeeper, Iohael. Your OC's are marvelous, all very well realized. Author Reply: I don't know if you are familiar with the drawings of Khalil Gibran and William James, both who tended to draw very spiritual pictures of souls enraptured. Even much of Lee's work tends to be aetherial in nature, very full of light, often as if there is something going on below the surface of the picture you see. I see Frodo's work as being very realistic for the most part; but that of Iorhael as looking more at mood and symbolism than at depiction. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/31/2005 |
| This is a review for the last 3 chapters actually. You post them faster than I can read and review them - which is wonderful for me! ;) It's been fascinating to watch the process as Ruvemir has selected the stones for the statues and then figures out which way to set them up. How he knew that Frodo's stone would need to be protected both from the weather because of the flaws and also from the eyes of others. And, then to read about the tools and cutting off the bottom of the one stone (Pippin's?) so that it would be correct. It's all been wonderful! How do you know all about this? Is is research or do you or someone in your family sculpt? I'm totally into reading about it however you know the details. :) I'm worried about the man who is in charge of the guild, though I imagine if he causes problems of any kind Aragorn would have no qualms about dealing with him. I love how Aragorn and Arwen take care of Ruvemir and then how he takes care of his ever growing number of apprentices. It just kind of trickles down - that care for each other. I'm looking forward to more... and I know it will be soon! :) Radbooks Author Reply: Like the ripples in the pond or the yeast in the dough, what we do to make things better for others makes the entire population of the world better off in the long run, as long as we're willing to pay it forward, to keep the gifts passing on to others. I had a friend in college who did some sculpting, and as well as clay sculpture in years past I got to do a soapstone sculpture of my own--blindfolded, mind you--in my training in grad school. I've also read books about sculpting and Michelangelo, as well as Edith Pargeter's fascinating work in The Heaven Tree Trilogy, which I think sparked Follet to write The Pillars of the Earth. It's a fascinating art form. | |
| Roger Gamgee | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/31/2005 |
| This chapter was masterfully written...you truly have a gift for the written word, and it shows in so many ways. Ruvemir treating the stone almost like a living thing...with respect and dignity for the image it holds. That, I believe, is the mark of an artisan - an almost instinctive knowledge of what form a creation wil take. I loved the part about Sam and Rosie making Frodo's dream come true - to fill Bag End with the love and laughter of children. If only Frodo himself could be there to see it. It looks like Ruvemir is becoming a bit suspicious of Varondil and his motives. That's good...he'll need to keep an eye on that character. Talk about shady! Frodo really WAS a master artist...weaving the image of Arwen into the drawing of the White Tree. I've seen examples of that kind of art, and it definitely requires a certain talent that not everyone has. This story just keeps getting better with each chapter...I can almost picture the statues themselves taking shape little by little. Well done! Author Reply: Thanks for the feedback. I've always loved paintings and drawings where there are hidden images, or images that suddenly just leap out at you. And I think Ruvemir may have good reason to be suspicious of Master Varondil. | |
| Eruviluieth | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/30/2005 |
| Interesting developments! So now Ruvemir knows something is up. The picture is an incredible story. It made me want to see it! This chapter left me thoughtful, just as it did Ruvemir. You have some amazing characters here, all very well developed and more so with each chapter. Tolkien would be proud what you've done with his characters, and you should be proud what you've done with yours. Excellent work, want more! Author Reply: Thanks so much for the praise. I find myself wishing I could see that picture, too, and am going to try to draw it this weekend when I'm working with a client who loves to draw. Her interest in drawing inspires me to break out the sketchbooks. | |
| SharonB | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/30/2005 |
| I really should have left reviews before now. I've really enjoyed this story so far. You know Ruvemir and the dwarves seem to have the same gift as Michaelangelo had. He has been quoted as saying that he could see the image in the stone and all he had to do was chip away the bits that did not belong. It sounds as though Celebgil is learning more in these few days with Ruvemir than he has learned in all his previous time with Varondil. One thing I will note from an earlier chapter, I have a sister-in-law who is an artist. When she works with clay and is keeping a piece for firing later, she does not let it dry out. She wraps it with a slightly moist cloth. Apparently you need to keep a certain moisture level in the clay for it to firs properly. I really have enjoyed this story so far. And I've really been enjoying the almost daily updates. Author Reply: My clay sculpturing was long ago, and I never had a need to wait a long time for them to be fired, so wasn't aware of the need to keep a certain amount of moisture in the figures if it's going to be a while. Thanks for the technical feedback. | |