best beloved

My version of Gondolin isn't based on a single Chinese historical period, but blends elements of visual language from several dynasties with the classical Tolkienian fantasy look. I'm usually categorically against plate mail in first age Arda, but I do like it for the Gondolindrim and their more advanced arms and armour. For Ecthelion especially, I wanted him to feel visually weighed-down with layers of plate, mail, and fabric as a nod to his death (sinking "steel-laden" into the fountain).

His armour is combat-functional, but ornate and ceremonial - it was important that he read as both a skilled military officer and of noble bearing. Its gleaming silver is bedecked with crystal per descriptions in The Fall of Gondolin. The shape language and detailing is reminiscent of flowing water (or otherwise water-associated, like the glimmering scale mail) and the plume of his helm mimics a tiered fountain.

I painted this for a narrative illustration class I was taking a few years back - I remember putting a lot of hours into it, but ultimately being unable to make it work. It's very unfinished (if you zoom in you'll see 3D models and sketch lines all over the place), but I thought I'd release it into the wild rather than letting it rot on my harddrive. I do like this Ecthelion and my costume design for Tuor, so maybe one day I'll revive it. For now it can live on Tumblr :)