Drawing Maitimelia's Doodles

My first reaction is that he is very cute. 🥺

I think it is an effect produced by the softness of having few distinct outlines. And I agree with you that this sketch looks very nice, I like it a lot too.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

The actual structure of his face is very sharp, with sharp/high cheekbones and a sharp jaw and chin. But his eyes and lips are soft. I actually made his lips a little fuller than I usually draw them and I think it really works. That might be the tiny detail that makes him look just like my mental picture, whereas other attempts haven't been able to fully capture it.

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I think you're right. I also think it's the combination of the full lips and the lack of distinct outlines. So that the lips don't stand out too much and draw the viewer's attention, but contribute to the overall soft/gentle look.

My particular favourite thing is the eyes.
I like the way he's looking down, with his eyelids hiding the eyes in shade, so that there is very little contrast between the iris and the whites of his eyes. He looks kind of melancholy, and like he's pondering something. His current thoughts are very personal to him, and he may only voice them later on to those who are very close to him, if at all.

Server Room Gremlin said:

My first reaction is that he is very cute. 🥺

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D'aww! Thanks, I agree. I wanna hug him so bad 🥺

Server Room Gremlin said:

I think you're right. I also think it's the combination of the full lips and the lack of distinct outlines. So that the lips don't stand out too much and draw the viewer's attention, but contribute to the overall soft/gentle look.

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Good point!

I also think this softer look really suits the way I like to write his softhearted personality, which in the Beleriand days, only really gets revealed to those very close to him. But it remains the core of who he is.

And I mean. The name Maitimo, obviously. Tolkien said he was of beautiful bodily form and I think the softer look conveys that.

Server Room Gremlin said:

My particular favourite thing is the eyes.
I like the way he's looking down, with his eyelids hiding the eyes in shade, so that there is very little contrast between the iris and the whites of his eyes. He looks kind of melancholy, and like he's pondering something. His current thoughts are very personal to him, and he may only voice them later on to those who are very close to him, if at all.

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Glad you like them! They were wonky at first and needed to be adjusted, so I'm glad they came out good.

And lol, it would seem our brain wavelengths are syncing again!! As I was trying to sleep just now, I was thinking about how Aranya actually has a higher potential to hurt Maitimo because she is one of very few people allowed beyond his many layers of armor and into the sensitive places of his heart.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

As I was trying to sleep just now, I was thinking about how Aranya actually has a higher potential to hurt Maitimo because she is one of very few people allowed beyond his many layers of armor and into the sensitive places of his heart.

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It is true. Those close to the soft and squishy centres of the Fëanorians must tread with care.

I liken Curufin to a cactus with a marshmallow centre... and he's pretty much always been like that. Only when he was little, the spikes were small and soft. 🥺

HELLO?!?! MAEDHROS IS ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS!!! 🥰 Also I just love the shadowing. It's incredible how much dimension you can insert with just a sketch. 🥺

Server Room Gremlin said:

I liken Curufin to a cactus with a marshmallow centre... and he's pretty much always been like that. Only when he was little, the spikes were small and soft. 🥺

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And why does this mental image have to be so adorable?!? Cutevo must be protected at all costs!!!!

I keep forgetting to share this, but, uh. This is called "Aranya after she won an argument with Maitimo."

She almost has to lean back just to look Maitimo in the eye!

The angle was pretty tricky, but I'm pleased with the result!

Inspired by this kitty I keep seeing on Pinterest. This cat is Aranya's spirit animal! Tiny kitty with a BIG attitude.


A few other pics of the cat for good measure. When I first saw this cat, at first I thought it was AI. But I've seen so many pictures of her in different yet consistent backgrounds, and her facial markings are the same, so I think she's real! I don't know her real name or where these pics originally come from, but for now, this is the face of Purranya.

Does anyone have thoughts on this drawing?

I've been enjoying your drawings and paintings for the last half-hour very much. So far, my absolute favorites of what I've seen have been 1. The year-old drawing of Maitimo, 2. Sleepy Maitimo who really does look like the main character in some Celtic folktale, 3. Most pictures with Aranya in them XD

As for this one, I find it adorable above all else, which I suspect Maitimo would, too. Aranya is a little spit-fire with a heart of linen(symbolic of healing, and did you know linen armor is actually very hard to cut through?). The little mlem showcases her triumph at the same time as her ruffled affection for Maitimo, and her underlying triumph at having won and most likely sent her beloved back to a hardly-used bed.

I'm not nearly familiar enough with clothes to determine what kinds the people in these renditions have been wearing, but the dress you've put on Aranya seems to fit her style. A bowed neckline(I'm describing the shape 😅) combines practical with stylish, to me, and fits Aranya very well. Lovely Flower of Kings.

Her hair is perhaps my favorite part. I always love how you draw hair, apart from obviously how you draw faces. It's bushy, but contained. In a simple half-ponytail which gets her hair out of her face, but lets the rest flow free.

I think this might be one of those pictures which, if drawn in a larger one with more context, could tell you exactly the kind of person Aranya is even if you don't know her that well.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

This is called "Aranya after she won an argument with Maitimo."

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This is hilarious! Maitimo would definitely think this is an endearing thing she does. 🥺

*they’re arguing about her trying to get Maitimo to take care of himself, with him being stubborn*

*Tyelko or somebody walks into the room, unaware of the argument. Aranya point blank asks them what they think Maitimo should do. When they naturally answer the same thing Aranya’s been trying to get him to do, she sticks her tongue out at Maitimo in “told you so; now go do as I said to care for your body.”* 🤣

I could also easily see Íri doing this to her brothers or Tyelko. Imagine these two spunky gals sticking their tongues out at the boys in victory. 😂

WatcherWraith said:

I've been enjoying your drawings and paintings for the last half-hour very much. So far, my absolute favorites of what I've seen have been 1. The year-old drawing of Maitimo, 2. Sleepy Maitimo who really does look like the main character in some Celtic folktale, 3. Most pictures with Aranya in them XD

As for this one, I find it adorable above all else, which I suspect Maitimo would, too. Aranya is a little spit-fire with a heart of linen(symbolic of healing, and did you know linen armor is actually very hard to cut through?). The little mlem showcases her triumph at the same time as her ruffled affection for Maitimo, and her underlying triumph at having won and most likely sent her beloved back to a hardly-used bed.

I'm not nearly familiar enough with clothes to determine what kinds the people in these renditions have been wearing, but the dress you've put on Aranya seems to fit her style. A bowed neckline(I'm describing the shape 😅) combines practical with stylish, to me, and fits Aranya very well. Lovely Flower of Kings.

Her hair is perhaps my favorite part. I always love how you draw hair, apart from obviously how you draw faces. It's bushy, but contained. In a simple half-ponytail which gets her hair out of her face, but lets the rest flow free.

I think this might be one of those pictures which, if drawn in a larger one with more context, could tell you exactly the kind of person Aranya is even if you don't know her that well.

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It's been a rough week for me, and your comment really made my day! 🥺

I'm so glad you enjoyed all the artwork! Though you'll have to be more specific in what you mean by "the year-old drawing of Maitimo" because there are a lot of Timos, and none of them are exactly a year old, lol.

WatcherWraith said:

Aranya is a little spit-fire with a heart of linen(symbolic of healing, and did you know linen armor is actually very hard to cut through?).

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I do remember hearing that somewhere! That's so cool! It kind of promotes the idea of "strength in softness" which is an idea I love. I get tired of fictional characters who only show "strength" through kicking people in the face (and maybe also being "hot-tempered" and "stubborn" and "having trust issues" but otherwise having no personality). Both Maitimo and Aranya are very softhearted. Aranya just also gets very angry about all the suffering in the world.

WatcherWraith said:

The little mlem showcases her triumph at the same time as her ruffled affection for Maitimo, and her underlying triumph at having won and most likely sent her beloved back to a hardly-used bed.

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I think you're absolutely right! She almost certainly was arguing with him about going to bed instead of staying up all night working!

WatcherWraith said:

I'm not nearly familiar enough with clothes to determine what kinds the people in these renditions have been wearing, but the dress you've put on Aranya seems to fit her style. A bowed neckline(I'm describing the shape 😅) combines practical with stylish, to me, and fits Aranya very well. Lovely Flower of Kings.

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I didn't put a ton of effort into her outfit, but the silhouette is definitely medieval. Simple gowns with rounded, off-the-shoulder necklines were quite common in the 14th century or so.



I take inspiration from a lot of different periods in my clothing design for Elves, because I figure they live really long lives and they probably wanted to be creative with their clothing. In addition to medieval and ancient periods, I've also drawn inspiration from the 16th and 17th centuries, especially for romantic scenes and balls.

WatcherWraith said:

Her hair is perhaps my favorite part. I always love how you draw hair, apart from obviously how you draw faces. It's bushy, but contained. In a simple half-ponytail which gets her hair out of her face, but lets the rest flow free.

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Thank you! I do love drawing hair.

Fingon_Findekáno said:

This is hilarious! Maitimo would definitely think this is an endearing thing she does. 🥺

*they’re arguing about her trying to get Maitimo to take care of himself, with him being stubborn*

*Tyelko or somebody walks into the room, unaware of the argument. Aranya point blank asks them what they think Maitimo should do. When they naturally answer the same thing Aranya’s been trying to get him to do, she sticks her tongue out at Maitimo in “told you so; now go do as I said to care for your body.”* 🤣

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Hehe, accurate! Though if Tyelko is the one coming into the room, Maitimo's never gonna go to sleep. 😂 Though I guess Tyelko is the only one with enough lack of social consciousness to just freely barge in to Maitimo's room in the middle of the night, while Aranya's with him! (And they're clearly used to this happening.)

Fingon_Findekáno said:

I could also easily see Íri doing this to her brothers or Tyelko. Imagine these two spunky gals sticking their tongues out at the boys in victory. 😂

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Ooh, yes! Aranya and Íri, Goofy Girl Besties™️ since the Years of the Trees!

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

I didn't put a ton of effort into her outfit, but the silhouette is definitely medieval. Simple gowns with rounded, off-the-shoulder necklines were quite common in the 14th century or so.

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I like this sketch even more now that I noticed that. ☺️ 🥺

Also, in my drawings of the sons of Fëanor where they're wearing armour, they are wearing quilted cloth trousers. :>

First seen (and explained a bit) in my GIF of Maedhros.

I think your comparison of Aranya with linen was very apt, @WatcherWraith

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

I'm so glad you enjoyed all the artwork! Though you'll have to be more specific in what you mean by "the year-old drawing of Maitimo" because there are a lot of Timos, and none of them are exactly a year old, lol.

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I meant the pencil drawing of him you said you'd worked on for almost a year, the one where he has such red, red hair :]
You talked about shading the armor and how hard it was. That one's my top favorite. You showed it in one of the Discord art channels, where I examined it as the best portrayal of how you envision Maedhros.
Does that help?

WatcherWraith said:

I meant the pencil drawing of him you said you'd worked on for almost a year, the one where he has such red, red hair :]
You talked about shading the armor and how hard it was. That one's my top favorite. You showed it in one of the Discord art channels, where I examined it as the best portrayal of how you envision Maedhros.
Does that help?

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Ah yes, that one's not in this thread. It has its own thread.

Thread 'The Fire of Life: Maedhros Portrait' https://thetolkien.forum/threads/the-fire-of-life-maedhros-portrait.31893/

I honestly remembered seeing it in here 😅 I guess your description of it, or mention of it, brought the picture back to mind so clearly(or hey, perhaps I clicked on a link) I thought I remembered seeing it in this channel.
Welp.
😆

WatcherWraith said:

I honestly remembered seeing it in here 😅 I guess your description of it, or mention of it, brought the picture back to mind so clearly(or hey, perhaps I clicked on a link) I thought I remembered seeing it in this channel.
Welp.
😆

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It's okay! I think Servo and I talked about it briefly on Page 1. And the drawing is on permanent display in my PFP. 😂 But yeah, this thread is for doodles, and The Fire of Life is certainly not a doodle, lol.

Also, even though The Fire of Life is certainly my most technically advanced drawing, this one actually is the closest I've ever gotten to how Maitimo looks in my mind's eye.

Then this one is my top favorite of Lé Doodles.

You gave him thick eyebrows and a naturally downturned mouth. I think those are the features I like best in how you drew him. They look more realistic(to me, anyway), and I think you pulled them off very well.

I made this a while ago but am only just now actually posting it! Behold, A Soft Gaze, now with color!



Sometimes I feel like I lose something when I add color to a grayscale drawing, for some reason. I really didn't want that to happen here because I loved the original sketch so much, so I hardly did a thing digitally. I really just added a beige color layer overall and then a bit of red-brown on his hair and such.

The Big Drawing of 2022/23 is obviously my proudest drawing in terms of technical skill, but this one is actually my proudest in terms of how close it is to my mental picture of Maitimo. I can say with confidence this is how Maitimo looks in my mind's eye.

Do be proud of it, it is well done. ❤️
I may have said this previously, but I love his expression.

I love the color scheme! It is very soothing, just like Maitimo. 🥺

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

I made this a while ago but am only just now actually posting it! Behold, A Soft Gaze, now with color!

View attachment 46139

Sometimes I feel like I lose something when I add color to a grayscale drawing, for some reason. I really didn't want that to happen here because I loved the original sketch so much, so I hardly did a thing digitally. I really just added a beige color layer overall and then a bit of red-brown on his hair and such.

The Big Drawing of 2022/23 is obviously my proudest drawing in terms of technical skill, but this one is actually my proudest in terms of how close it is to my mental picture of Maitimo. I can say with confidence this is how Maitimo looks in my mind's eye.

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Are these scars post-Angband or pre-Angband?

I have an interest in committing this face as much to memory as I can; I may have to describe parts of it from time to time!
His expression and bearing remind me very much of those supple and yet strong trees you sometimes see, the ones which bend and sway with every breath of the breeze, but they are never near breaking. It's the countenance of someone who has borne with much and can bear with much more, if needed.

Ahh, I love him!!! I had already loved your original sketched version, but I think I like this even better. It definitely ranks as one of my favorite drawings you've done of Maitimo. The colors you used are warm and complimentary, fitting the mood of his soft, thoughtful gaze. It's simple, but it works so well. There's so much depth behind this gaze, and you can see his soft heart beneath it all.

I'm so glad he finally matches your mind's eye! I'll definitely be keeping him in my mind when I think about him.

I also see you've updated your PFP; I'm glad, because now I get to see him all the time! 👀😏☺️❤️