I have finished the line art for my illustration of Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire from Chapter 6 of The Hobbit. So many things happen in this scene at once. I also loved writing the names of the characters in runes. ⁠ Which details caught your attention the most.? ⁠

ack to illustrating chapters from The Hobbit! I got a little stuck with them, but it's high time to get back to it. Let's draw fifteen birds on five fir trees! (Well, they weren't all fir trees, but the goblins obviously didn't care).⁠

17 January - The Fellowship of the Ring are led through Lothlórien and reach Cerin Amroth. 🌳⁠ ⁠ "I feel as if I was inside a song." Sam’s words perfectly capture the essence of Lothlórien. ⁠ This scene has always been one of my favourites in The Lord of the Rings. What do you think of my depiction?

On this day in Middle-earth 📅 On 13 January the Fellowship of the Ring reach the West-gate of Moria.⁠ ⁠ The Doors of Durin are among the most iconic images in Tolkien’s world and I really enjoyed drawing them opening "Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer."

Winter in the Shire (2022) ❄️ #tolkien #tolkienart #theshire

Winter Hobbit Door (2023). ❄️ A hobbit hole door in a beautiful snowy winter, decorated for Yule. 🎄

I’ve started a Substack: Visions of Middle‑earth. A home for my longer dives into Tolkien’s world: the research behind my art, the symbolism, and the curious questions that arise when you look too closely at the texts. You’re welcome to read and subscribe: 👉 matejcadil.substack.com 👈

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Exploring Tolkien’s world through art. Click to read Visions of Middle-earth, by Matěj Čadil, a Substack publication. Launched 14 days ago.

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"Mr. Bilbo has learned him his letters – meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come of it. ‘Elves and Dragons’ I says to him. ‘Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don’t go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you’ll land in trouble too big for you,’"

Before the Stones of Orthanc and Minas Tirith, another palantír lay hidden in Middle‑earth: the Elendil Stone of Elostirion. Unlike the others, it gazed westward, revealing visions of the Undying Lands. Until Círdan placed it aboard Elrond’s ship at the end of the Third Age. #tolkienart

Do you remember this moment from the Lord of the Rings when Gandalf "risks a little real light" and the Fellowship suddenly becomes aware of the vastness and forgotten beauty of Khazad-dûm? I really enjoyed depicting the vast hall in the background. I think the white-on-black works well for it.

The Forbidden Pool (2022). A dangerous spot to go fishing, although Gollum seems to be enjoying it. But someone may be watching him... 👀⁠ ⁠ Henneth Annûn has always been one of favourite locations in the Lord of the Rings. ⁠ Does my illustration look similar to how you imagined this place?⁠

"Mr. Bilbo has learned him his letters – meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come of it." ⁠ Line art, but I am going to make a fully coloured illustration. What do you think of it so far?

The Doors of Durin are among the most iconic images in Tolkien’s world. There are many illustrations where they are shown closed, but I wanted to capture a different moment: when the riddle is solved and the doors open.

How do you imagine the Crown of Gondor? 👑 In the book it is described beautifully, a jewelled silver helm with pearl wings. But it's difficult to actually depict. No wonder there are few illustrations and the film depicted it totally differently.⁠ So, obviously, I had to try it myself. 😁

A little comparison of my two illustrations, which capture scenes just moments apart from Chapter 5 of the Hobbit: "There is a Shadow by the Door" and "Buttons on the Doorstep".

Ever wondered what it feels like to light a fire in the heart of Mirkwood? 🔥👁️🦇🕷️🕸️

After months of sketching, planning, and layering colour, I’m thrilled to share my finished illustration for Chapter 5 of The Hobbit – “Riddles in the Dark”.⁠ ⁠ What do you think of how this illustration turned out?⁠ #tolkienart #thehobbit #tolkien

Today’s piece (for Inktober 2025 Day 22 prompt "Button") is a moment from The Hobbit, just after Bilbo’s escape from the goblin tunnels. On the rocky doorstep lie the remnants of his struggle: the shiny brass buttons that burst off as he squeezed through the door.⁠

For the Inktober prompt "Arctic", I was inspired by a passage from the Appendix to the Lord of the Rings, about Arvedui the last king of Arnor, who escaped from the fall of Fornost to the far north to the shore of the Ice bay of Forochel and waited for the rescue by the elven mariners of Círdan.

The Tower Hall of Minas Tirith, based on the passage when Pippin and Gandalf first come to Denethor. What do you think, is it fitting for the Inktober 2025 prompt "Ornate"? #inktober2025ornate #tolkienart

What began as a small bookmark has grown into one of my most beloved works. The Road Goes Ever On, based on Bilbo’s walking song, showing the Road as a river flowing through Middle-earth. Prints and bookmarks: matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1449... #TolkienArt #Tolkien #MiddleEarth

“In western lands beneath the Sun…” Sam’s song carries hope through shadow. My illustration captures that moment — light remembered in dark places. 🖼️ Hand-embellished art prints here: matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1302...

For the #Inktober2025 prompt "Drink" I chose one scene where a drink has a profound impact on the plot: The butler and the chief guard of the Elvenking's halls in The Hobbit share a drink together, which allows Bilbo to rescue his friends from the jail. #inktober2025drink #tolkienart

For the #Inktober prompt "Sting" (I know, late), I couldn't draw anything else but a certain little sword that served Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam.⁠

At last I managed to draw something for this year's Inktober. 😅 More because I finally found some time to draw, than because I was especially keen on this prompt "Heavy", for which I finished it too late anyway. 😄

There is a Shadow by the Door (2023) ⁠ The awful moment when Bilbo is stuck in the door out of the goblin-tunnels – invisible himself, but his shadow has just been spotted by the goblins.⁠ What do you think of my depiction of that moment?

Finished line art for my new illustration of "Riddles in the Dark".⁠ ⁠ Bilbo sits on the dark shore of the lake, while Gollum lurks in his little boat. Around them, circular vignettes show the riddles, with the text, hand-drawn into curved decorative bands.⁠ ⁠ What do you think of it so far?

The King's Tree that I finished a few days ago was not my first illustration inspired by Tolkien's story Smith of Wotton Major. I made one illustration titled "In Faery" in 2022.⁠

The King's Tree from Tolkien’s short story "Smith of Wootton Major", made for the last prompt of the Amon Hen art challenge “Tales from other realms”. I love to illustrate these lesser known stories by Tolkien.⁠

Work in progress: Next Hobbit chapter illustration, Riddles in the Dark. At the centre will be Bilbo and Gollum in their fateful riddle-game, while around them I’m drawing ten small vignettes, each one showing a riddle.