![\"The-Hobbit-illustrated-by-Jemima-Catlin-221x300\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/The-Hobbit-illustrated-by-Jemima-Catlin-221x300.jpg\")
By now you’re undoubtedly aware of the newest edition of The Hobbit, illustrated in gorgeous and whimsical fashion by Jemima Catlin.<\/p>\n By now you’re undoubtedly aware of the newest edition of The Hobbit, illustrated in gorgeous and whimsical fashion by Jemima Catlin.<\/p>\n
She was just 23 when artwork she’d created for a personal project on Tolkien’s short story Rover Random<\/i> came to the notice of literary giants Harper Collins -\u2013 and eventually landed her a contract to illustrate The Hobbit.<\/p>\n
Here, Tolkien Library chats with her about how it all happened.<\/p>\n
Q. Dear Jemima Catlin, it is so nice to be able to talk with you about your illustrations for The Hobbit! But can you first tell us a bit more about yourself?<\/p>\n
I was born in Dorchester, Dorset UK in 1986. I have always wanted to be an illustrator from a very young age and began writing my own stories and illustrating them from the age of 8. I come from quite a creative background; my Mother is an artist and writer, and my Father is a professional photographer. After A levels I studied a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Weymouth College, and then went on to do a Foundation Degree in Visual Communication at the Arts University at Bournemouth, followed by a BA Honours Degree in Illustration.<\/p>\n
Q. When did you get into touch with Tolkien’s works for the first time? <\/p>\n
I first read The Hobbit when I was 12 and I loved it – I couldn’t put it down! My Grandfather was a Tolkien book collector, and it is sad he wasn’t around to see that I illustrated The Hobbit. The first ever Middle Earth inspired drawing I did was for my sister’s wedding table plan in 2008; I drew two huge Ent’s with the table names at the ends of the branches. Then when I was at university, I decided to illustrate the short story Roverandom by J R R Tolkien for my final major project.<\/p>\n
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Q. I have read you started out by illustrating another tale by Tolkien, namely Roverandom. Why did you choose to illustrate this small tale?<\/p>\n
I found the varying environments and unusual characters in Roverandom very inspiring, I really enjoyed illustrating it. Being a short story, it was the perfect length for my project as we only had 3 months to complete it. I illustrated it using monoprint techniques, which involves drawing on a piece of paper placed over a sheet of glass covered in printing ink, the drawing is then picked up by the ink on the other side of the paper creating a reverse image. The result is a lot less detailed than conventional ways of drawing, but adds spontaneity and movement to the illustrations.<\/p>\n