John Howe on Tolkien, Fantasy, and the Art of Illustration

John Howe, the renowned Canadian-born illustrator (b. 1957) and Swiss resident, discusses his career as a fantasy artist and his deep involvement with J.R.R. Tolkien's world. Howe, who served as visual designer for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and Amazon's The Rings of Power, describes his approach to art as intuitive, viewing a blank page as a window into infinite space. He sees fantasy as a modern cousin of myth, capable of reconnecting us with the world rather than merely offering escape. His journey with Tolkien began in 1986 with a commission for the Tolkien Calendar, after years of submitting unsolicited work. He emphasizes the importance of physical artworks and traditional techniques, though he also uses digital tools. Howe values direct interaction with his multi-generational audience and advises young illustrators to build a balanced online presence while focusing on originality. The interview touches on his role in The Rings of Power, set in the Second Age, which he describes as a fresher, more 'spring-like' world. He notes that sophisticated visual effects are fueling a resurgence of fantasy.