Drawing Celebrimbor, Curufin, Fëanor - The Making of Rings

[Tired Dúnadan]

Idk if I'll use this for other drawings. But for now, Celebrimbor, Curufin (left), and Fëanor (right) in the shadow of Sauron's plots.

"You were never alone, littlest one. Not in life. Not in death."

The idea behind this was Celebrimbor creating the three rings, but midway through, starting to get overwhelmed with a rather dangerous cocktail of fury, disgust, fear, and self-hatred. In this moment, Fëanor and Curufin gather all the power they've been given to become silent guides to their youngest one. Celebrimbor can't see them and doesn't necessarily need the help, but it's the least they can do after everything he's gone through because of them.

And sure enough, Tyelpë feels his mind clear, every cut and strike landing more precisely than before.

Design Stuff TM:

• Celebrimbor is an amalgamation of everyone he loves. I have a design sheet somewhere but it needs updating. But basically he has influences from his father (rings, not pictured), mother (embroidery on sleeves), uncles/grandfather (hairtyle, starburst on chest and tunic cut), Finrod (hairstyle, extra layers not here because they're hazardous in a forge), Dwarves (hair clasps), and Men.
• Fëanor has the largest starburst of his family. Three gems representing the three silmarils on his crown. A sharper crown design that goes over his cheek in the fashion of a warrior king
• Curufin needs a proper design, but for now I've left him with a more simple crown as his interests lie in architecture more than jewellery
• Ghosties are ofc like spirits of fire. Hence the glowing inside of the hair, their very fëa lit up.
• I like the idea of invisible writing on the Three Rings that faded in as Celebrimbor worked his power into them. Hence the white marks on the ring.
• Some sketches and scrolls on the sides to try and balance out the top and bottom. One definitely has a message from Elrond.
• I really need to learn, but I don't like drawing equipment. No idea what Tyelpë's holding, but it's keeping the ring in place for very literally hammering Power into it XD

This is a redraw of this piece (below) that I created Oct 2022. I started fixing it last year, but got stuck on lighting and hands, so here we are... ten months later than anticipated. Changed the blue writing to orange to keep focus on the middle, and Tyelpe to cooler colours for the same reason. Hopefully it worked ^^'

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

This is beautiful! I can really feel the intensity coming from Celebrimbor's expression. And I can really see your improvements with the lighting too. Glowing lighting like that is so tricky.

 

[Tired Dúnadan]

This is beautiful! I can really feel the intensity coming from Celebrimbor's expression. And I can really see your improvements with the lighting too. Glowing lighting like that is so tricky.

Thank you!!! Glowy lighting is fun until it comes from multiple sources in different colours 😂💀

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I really wish I had some coherent thoughts to add here. Been a long day and Telko is not telkoing like Telko often does. 😔

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Do I spy a Tyelpë and Curvo?? I have been summoned, and will proceed to Say A Lot. 😂

I like the way Celebrimbor has a different colour scheme than Curufin and Fëanor. As you said, it does keep the focus on him. And I think it also shows how he's different to them. Where Curufin's life was defined by Fëanor and following in his footsteps, Celebrimbor chose to do something of his own, and was also not bound to the Oath of Fëanor. Yet they all have Fëanorian stars on them: Celebrimbor still loves his family and is proud to be a descendant of Fëanor, and a craftsman like his father and grandfather.

I also think the cooler colours really make him look more 'Celebrimbor-like'. The way the ornaments in his hair and the patterns on his clothing are glowing reminds me of the Doors of Durin, which of course he helped to make. And then Curufin and Fëanor are in fiery colours, being ghosts from the First Age, a fiery time with lots of great deeds. Things are 'cooling down' by the time we get to the Second and Third ages. There are fewer huge battles and epic deeds: it's a different era, and Sauron is a different threat that must be fought by other means.

"You were never alone, littlest one. Not in life. Not in death."

The idea behind this was Celebrimbor creating the three rings, but midway through, starting to get overwhelmed with a rather dangerous cocktail of fury, disgust, fear, and self-hatred. In this moment, Fëanor and Curufin gather all the power they've been given to become silent guides to their youngest one. Celebrimbor can't see them and doesn't necessarily need the help, but it's the least they can do after everything he's gone through because of them.

And sure enough, Tyelpë feels his mind clear, every cut and strike landing more precisely than before.

I love the idea behind this drawing too. 🥺

It must not have been easy, being the last one left of his closest family. Celebrimbor's facial expression really fits with what you've said here. I think there would have been a lot of grief there too, especially when thinking about the past.

I like the implication that he drew strength from his past when making the Rings. He wasn't just weighed down or troubled by it. Not sure if you intended this specifically, but it's what I thought when I saw this.

And of course Fëanor and Curufin would want to lend all the power they can to their little Tyelpë. It's a moving thought, for them to be with him in spirit during this moment.

I like the idea of invisible writing on the Three Rings that faded in as Celebrimbor worked his power into them. Hence the white marks on the ring.

I like the idea too! I find it fascinating, the various ways people depict or describe the process of making the Three Rings, or the Rings of Power in general. The forging of the Rings is something left quite vague in the books. While I was writing my own fanfiction about Curufin and Celebrimbor, I quite enjoyed trying to figure out how the Rings of Power were made, and describe it in a way that hopefully fits well with canon.

The white writing that fades into invisibility is similar to Sauron's One Ring, so I could easily see this being a necessary part of the process of creating such rings.

It's also interesting that there's a pale ring of white light around Celebrimbor's head, like a halo. Perhaps it's an effect of the ring-making process? A ring of light around his head as there is a ring of bright writing around the ring? Or maybe it shows the power being put forth into the making of the ring. Whatever it may be, it looks good, and helps Celebrimbor's head (with its dark hair) stand out from the darkness behind.

 

[Tired Dúnadan]

Do I spy a Tyelpë and Curvo?? I have been summoned, and will proceed to Say A Lot. 😂

Where Curufin's life was defined by Fëanor and following in his footsteps, Celebrimbor chose to do something of his own, and was also not bound to the Oath of Fëanor. Yet they all have Fëanorian stars on them: Celebrimbor still loves his family and is proud to be a descendant of Fëanor, and a craftsman like his father and grandfather.

YES!! This is exactly what I was going for! (Also any and all thoughts are always appreciated, go wild 😌)

Things are 'cooling down' by the time we get to the Second and Third ages. There are fewer huge battles and epic deeds: it's a different era, and Sauron is a different threat that must be fought by other means.

Oooo never thought of physically representing that, but that’s so true! And will *definitely* be something to consider in future projects.

I love the idea behind this drawing too. 🥺

It must not have been easy, being the last one left of his closest family. Celebrimbor's facial expression really fits with what you've said here. I think there would have been a lot of grief there too, especially when thinking about the past.

I like the implication that he drew strength from his past when making the Rings. He wasn't just weighed down or troubled by it. Not sure if you intended this specifically, but it's what I thought when I saw this.

Awww thank you so much! There’s definitely a lot of grief hidden underneath. While creating, Celebrimbor’s able to push it all away under the adrenaline of ‘I need to get this done’ but the moment he finishes that final ring there’s a release of immense grief.

He tapped into some old *good* memories he hadn’t thought of in a very long time to do exactly that, and a lot of repressed emotions he hadn’t even realised were there come out. All that said, it’s preferable to the blanket of rage that temporarily clouded his thoughts. Gives clarity and later, even more strength to hold off Sauron when he’s delving through his mind.

I like the idea too! I find it fascinating, the various ways people depict or describe the process of making the Three Rings, or the Rings of Power in general. The forging of the Rings is something left quite vague in the books. While I was writing my own fanfiction about Curufin and Celebrimbor, I quite enjoyed trying to figure out how the Rings of Power were made, and describe it in a way that hopefully fits well with canon.

I’ll have to check it out 👀 To be completely honest the forging of the rings isn’t something I thought much of until very recently, but it really is a fascinating thing.

I love comparing the differences between what the Silmarils were to what the Rings were. And therefore what kind of thought had to go into it - never enough Fëanor Celebrimbor comparisons yanno.

The white writing that fades into invisibility is similar to Sauron's One Ring, so I could easily see this being a necessary part of the process of creating such rings.

It's also interesting that there's a pale ring of white light around Celebrimbor's head, like a halo. Perhaps it's an effect of the ring-making process? A ring of light around his head as there is a ring of bright writing around the ring? Or maybe it shows the power being put forth into the making of the ring. Whatever it may be, it looks good, and helps Celebrimbor's head (with its dark hair) stand out from the darkness behind.

A little bit of both 😂 I needed something to bring Celebrimbor to the foreground and show the power he’s putting into the ring.

It was also a foreshadowing of sorts. He’ll soon join his family in Mandos, but his spirit is of pure white and blue fire. A sign of his own power and a symbol of the work he did to help Middle Earth.

Thank you so so much!!!! Your analysis and thoughts were so interesting to read and really meant a lot 🥹

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

I love comparing the differences between what the Silmarils were to what the Rings were. And therefore what kind of thought had to go into it - never enough Fëanor Celebrimbor comparisons yanno.

💯
I had some new realisations myself about the comparisons that could be made between the Silmarils and the Three Rings while writing my fanfic (The Works of Curufinwë). Very interesting to think about.

E.g.
- The Ring of Air is worn by Elrond, the son of Eärendil, who carries the Silmaril through the sky.
- The Ring of Water is worn by Galadriel, who sings a lament in Quenya by the River as the Fellowship depart, similar to Maglor who sings laments by the Sea after he casts his Silmaril into it.
- The Ring of Fire is (eventually) worn by Gandalf, who did all he could to inspire the Free Peoples of Middle-earth to have courage, and come together to fight and resist Sauron once more. Much like Maedhros inspired the peoples of Beleriand to join together and fight Morgoth, before the great defeat.

Nice to read more about your thought process for this artwork.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

You know what I love about this? Both Curufinwës look exactly the same, but just from their stances and facial expressions you can tell which is which, and this is perhaps my most fav thing about your art. It's so soulful that it can be mistaken for an animation. I've seen many art pieces that are perfect visually, but they can't really hold my attention for long because they lack soul and heart.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

💯
I had some new realisations myself about the comparisons that could be made between the Silmarils and the Three Rings while writing my fanfic (The Works of Curufinwë). Very interesting to think about.

TWC, a love of mine. 🥺

 

[Tired Dúnadan]

@Mairon the Admirable Omg what do I even say to that, thank you so so much 🥹😭

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

@Tired Dúnadan, this is absolutely spectacular! I think my favorite part of this is the touch between the spirits of fire and Celebrimbor. Fëanor guiding Tyelpë's hammer stroke demonstrates the spirit of fire is pouring into his grandson as he makes the Three. By the whitish light in the final form vs. the blue light in the former, I like to presume Nenya is being worked on in the final and Vilya is in the first. I like how such implies Fëanor is a part of each ring in a way, not just the one of Fire. Somehow, it depicts character growth on Fëanor's part especially in the thought of fiery Narya. There is the concept of the bearer being able to inspire and kindle others to hope. While Fëanor in the past inspired and kindled others to destruction, he, now wiser on the other side, supports and honors Tyelpë in the forging of such for hope (Narya) and preservation (Nenya) and protection (Vilya). It speaks volumes of Fëanor's change of heart, and all of it is poured into his grandson's skill. Also, knowing Nenya goes to Galadriel *assuming the ghostly family smiths saw into this*, makes this even more profound. Perhaps this is Fëanor's first step in reconciling his "unfriends forever" status with Galadriel.

And Curufin, hand on the shoulder of his son, speaks volumes to him pouring directly into his beloved Tyelpë. And even though Tyelpë cannot see it, such drives him ever onward in this forging of Nenya, Vilya, and Narya. Water, air, fire. Curufin, despite being a phantom, is grounding his son to the earth. It also implies Celebrimbor draws strength from his father still, no matter the sacrifices of life Curufin made. In a way, they are reforging their nascent bond, putting behind them failures and disownment, for at the end of the day, they are Fëanorians, and this means family.

Thank you for gifting us with this absolute... gem! 💍