The Lord of the Rings: The Art of The Two Towers (ISBN 978-0618331307), by Gary Russell, is a complete guide to the art direction of Peter Jackson’s 2002 film The Two Towers, telling the process of all behind-the-scenes conceptualization up to the computer-effects stage. It was published in 2003 by Houghton Mifflin (US), and contains over 600 preliminary sketches, paintings, and designs.
This book follows The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring and precedes The Art of The Return of the King.
Contents
After an introduction featuring designers Christian Rivers, Paul Lasaine, and Jeremy Bennett telling of their duties in the making of The Two Towers, most of the book's text is commentary by members of Weta Workshop and Weta Digital, and Alan Lee and John Howe who designed the majority of environments and buildings seen in the film. Commentary accompanies a sketch, Matte painting sculpture, maquette, color study, digital art-piece, armor concept, or costume that someone was involved with. It closes with an Afterword by Andy Serkis, actor of Gollum, describing his time portraying the character.
A few illustrations and images of conceptual artwork appear also in Weapons and Warfare (a book written by the editor, Chris Smith). Other images are exclusive to this book.
The chapters are ordered according to Middle-earth locations as they are introduced in the movie, and each covers the conceptualization of structures, characters, creatures and/or objects involved.
Featured personnel
- Alan Lee
- John Howe
- Paul Lasaine
- Daniel Falconer
- Jeremy Bennett
- Gus Hunter
- Yanick Dusseault
- Roger Kupelian
- Max Dennison
- Ngila Dickson
- Matt Welford
- Joosten Kuypers
- Ben Wooten
- Warren Mahy
- Shaun Bolton
- Jamie Beswarick
- Christian Rivers
- Mike Asquith
- Gino Acevedo
- Bay Raitt
See also
- The Two Towers Visual Companion (film guide)