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Description
The Doors of Durin opening – for Inktober Day 22 prompt "Open". ⁠
⁠
With a suddenness that startled them all the wizard sprang to his feet. He was laughing!
“I have it!” he cried, “Of course, of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer.” Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a clear voice, “Mellon!”
The star shone out briefly and faded again. Then silently a great doorway was outlined, though not a crack or joint had been visible before. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung outwards inch by inch, until both doors lay back against the wall. Through the opening a shadowy stair could be seen climbing steeply up; but beyond the lower steps the darkness was deeper than the night. The Company stared in wonder.
📖 J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings. Book II, Chapter 4: Journey in the Dark
⁠
The Fellowship at the West-gate of Moria is obviously an iconic scene, perhaps one of the most iconic and visually recognizable in the whole Lord of the Rings. Maybe because Tolkien's drawing of the door is one of the few illustrations printed in most editions of the Book, so most readers are familiar with the design. And with the appealing way it is described as glowing in the dark, it is no wonder that the scene is depicted so many times by so many artists.⁠
⁠
Or is it?⁠
⁠
It is interesting that I found great number of illustrations of the closed door, either by itself or with Gandalf and the Fellowship in front of them, but very few illustrations with the door opened (and then mostly focusing on the fight with the Watcher in the Water) and none of the moment when the door is just opening. Or have you seen one? I would love to know.⁠
⁠
So it seems that after all I might make a little original contribution to the illustrations of this scene. What do you think? 🙂

Read more about this picture here: Inktober Day 22 – Doors of Durin Opening

Description
The Doors of Durin opening – for Inktober Day 22 prompt "Open". ⁠
⁠
With a suddenness that startled them all the wizard sprang to his feet. He was laughing!
“I have it!” he cried, “Of course, of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer.” Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a clear voice, “Mellon!”
The star shone out briefly and faded again. Then silently a great doorway was outlined, though not a crack or joint had been visible before. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung outwards inch by inch, until both doors lay back against the wall. Through the opening a shadowy stair could be seen climbing steeply up; but beyond the lower steps the darkness was deeper than the night. The Company stared in wonder.
📖 J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings. Book II, Chapter 4: Journey in the Dark
⁠
The Fellowship at the West-gate of Moria is obviously an iconic scene, perhaps one of the most iconic and visually recognizable in the whole Lord of the Rings. Maybe because Tolkien's drawing of the door is one of the few illustrations printed in most editions of the Book, so most readers are familiar with the design. And with the appealing way it is described as glowing in the dark, it is no wonder that the scene is depicted so many times by so many artists.⁠
⁠
Or is it?⁠
⁠
It is interesting that I found great number of illustrations of the closed door, either by itself or with Gandalf and the Fellowship in front of them, but very few illustrations with the door opened (and then mostly focusing on the fight with the Watcher in the Water) and none of the moment when the door is just opening. Or have you seen one? I would love to know.⁠
⁠
So it seems that after all I might make a little original contribution to the illustrations of this scene. What do you think? 🙂

Read more about this picture here: Inktober Day 22 – Doors of Durin Opening