Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
New Challenge: Stars Create a fanwork using star-themed prompts presented in a bingo board format.
Character of the Month: Marach There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
New Challenge: Allusive Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.” “It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?” “It’s not as though I…
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
Current Challenge
Stars
Construct a fanwork using star-themed prompts in a bingo card format. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Turgon's Rock Opera
On the anniversary of the publication of "The Silmarillion," we’re reflecting on the importance of music in Arda with prompts that come from rock songs. Read more ...
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
A dissenting voice in Marach's alliance with the Elves of Beleriand, Amlach experiences a change of mind after a mysterious twist in the story reorients his priorities toward enmity with Morgoth.
Erestor finds himself thrust into adventure when Elrond requests his company escorting Arwen to Minas Tirith after the War of the Ring is won. All too aware of the chronic illness that has bound his friend to Rivendell for the past several centuries, Glorfindel has some concerns. Erestor, aware…
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
Anérea has requested the following types of constructive criticism on this fanwork: Anatomy, Background, Color/Tone, Composition, Flow, Proportion, Shape/Line, Style, Technique, Texture. All constructive criticism must follow our diplomacy guidelines.
This is just stunning: the light on the water, the sense of motion in the figure and in the sea, and the wildness of that wave that you convey. My jaw is on the floor!
Thanks Dawn ? I'm so happy you feel energy of it. This was really fun to paint, and I have to admit that I'm rather happy with how the water turned out.
Thank you! This is actually surf!Círdan version 2, because the first one looked more like a cross between Ossë, Ulmo, and an older Billy Ocean (ironically!), but some of that wild energy remained. Now you mention it, I think some of this is also inspired by In the Heart of the Storm by IgnobleBard.
This is perfect! I love his expression, and how you have drawn the wave! I'm sure Ossë is watching him somewhere. I could look at this for a long time.
What a delightful comment, thank you! I'm glad you like his expression, I was wondering whether it was a bit intense. (His anatomy could do with a bit of work, but since this is the oddest pose I've painted yet by far, I've decided to just enjoy the rest!)
Hmm, Ossë could well be watching, especially if it's it the Ossë from Ignoble Bard's fic I've linked to in my reply to Himring above... (A lovely story that I now I think about it went some way to inspiring this.)
I just remembered yesterday that surfer!Cirdan was sparked by a comment by Gabriel-seven at the TSFW, and wanted to share with you in case there's any ideas lurking there, and also in the "Movie Stand-in" comments lower down here ↓
Círdan's pose is so dynamic! And I love the light on the water and Círdan's shadow. (And I agree, of course the Teleri would not wear clothes when they go into the water!)
Thank you! It was very fun to paint. (Definitely the oddest pose I've ever attempted and, despite having a photo reference, I owe huge thanks to my mom for her artistic sight and correcting my initial attempts.) Painting this wasn't quite as good as actually surfing, but since I was never able to surf such gnarley waves anyway, (naked or otherwise!) it was definitely the next best thing!
I have this scene in my head of Cirdan acting as everyone expects, being old and the lord of the Falas and yet in secret he surfs under the light of the full moon.
Yes, I'm starting to believe there are pieces to Cirdan's life we can't even begin to imagine.
Oh yes! I love this idea. Making people think he's too old and noble (and dull!) so they don't invite him in the first place is so much easier than making excuses all the time to avoid all the boring events someone in his position would otherwise be expected to take part in. I'm falling in love with him more and more!
(ETA: Oh! To surf under the full moon! I'd be there with him in a shot. In the buff, of course; got to follow protocol.)
Comments on Círdan Falben
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
Anérea has requested the following types of constructive criticism on this fanwork: Anatomy, Background, Color/Tone, Composition, Flow, Proportion, Shape/Line, Style, Technique, Texture. All constructive criticism must follow our diplomacy guidelines.