HOME | DD

IngvildSchageArt — Fingon and Maedhros - Their ancient friendship

#fingon #maedhros #tolkien #tolkienfanart #maedhrosfingon #silmarillionfanart
Published: 2016-04-06 23:42:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 6217; Favourites: 156; Downloads: 29
Redirect to original
Description Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros; and aided by the very darkness that Morgoth had made he came unseen into the fastness of his foes.

None wrote friendship like Tolkien!

And have it ever been characters I've wanted to draw of Tolkien, it was these two. I truly love Tolkien's works, and to be able to draw his characters how I want have been my dream for years, and even if I know there are issues with this drawing, anatomy especially, I can't but love it! Considering I only spent a few hours on this I am very happy, and it's the first border I've done In a while, so that was fun.

Now to the characters..
As cousins they are as different as night and day, all irony aside, and as friends even more so. One gallant and pure of heart with only good intentions, and the other irrational and fuelled by his fathers rage and a vow of vengeance. In my head this has translated also to their appearance, most especially their hairstyles. Fingon represent the pure and good elf, everything in his life controlled and perfected (like his hair) while Maedhros' wildness and rebellion shows in his unkept hairstyle. I do not know if this theory is a universally known one, but it dawned on me yesterday, and I love it!

In all seriousness, I have a deep love and fascination with friendships, and while I know that many ship these two as a romantic couple, I do not. I find it a bit juvenile to make Tolkien's elaborately portrayed friendship into something as cheap and shallow and (honestly) common as romantic love. While I have nothing against homosexuality or any sort of romantic relationship in general, I think that the portrayal of Fingon and Maedhros friendship is so beautiful in an innocent way, I suppose, that to make it sexual is to corrupt it. We don't treasure friendships the way Tolkien did, and in our modern society I think we have forgotten how important it really is to love our friends. This is why I hate the romanticising of Sam and Frodo as well, because I feel like we do not respect the level of friendship that Tolkien tries to portray in his writing! Just the idea that two characters so driven by their fathers' differences still kept the love for the other through thick and thin, and came through for each other time and time again, it shows that level of trust and love that friendship is based on, and I think that lacks in both films and litterature today. Don't corrupt the little representation we actually have of it, I beg of you! I'm sure people will hate me for this, but these are my thoughts, and I am always open for civil discussions.

(However I completely respect anyone who ships them, just wanted to make that come across, we all have different opininons and I am sure I ship things you despise as well, so lets be understanding and respect each other!)

I truly hope you like this drawing, however quick and riddled with mistakes it may be! Truthfully I am very happy with it, and there are nothing I would really want to change about it!

Fingon and Maedhros © Tolkien

Art © me - IG: iggys_art - tumblr: ingvildschageart



~~~


My other Noldorian artworks:


    


  



Related content
Comments: 50

WrathandFlame [2021-07-12 18:37:32 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Swetonia [2019-01-25 18:45:21 +0000 UTC]

I like your interpretation of friendship, strong male friendship. It's very romantic, pardon the pun. Tolkien also believed in it. He also believed that he was Beren, and his wife was Luthien. I just think his wife did not go to Sauron for the Silmaril. And his friend Lewis (an analogue of Maedhros, I think) also belonged to the same generation, knocked out by the war, when people keep closer to each other. Now this friendship seems suspicious not by chance. Today's crowding of people causes alienation, and such intimacy is not characteristic of relationships within the same sex.

Your job is good, but still the elves must be beautiful. Maybe just the paint is not enough. Hair is really the only thing that can be distinguished.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Gryphonia [2018-11-14 15:40:05 +0000 UTC]



Hello!
Nice picture!
I like it!
Keep up the good work!


👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Annathelle26 [2018-03-03 21:04:57 +0000 UTC]

I love your interpretation of them Plus all your thoughts about portraying their personalities through their hairstyles and poses and expressions. It worked out well, good job!
P.S. I think I need your paragraph about friendships printed on a shirt  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to Annathelle26 [2018-03-05 15:26:55 +0000 UTC]

Aawh i am soo glad you like the drawing as well as my thoughts around it!! 😁 I just posted a wip in my status of thenew drawing of them, with which I am absolutely in love!! 😍 Let me know what you think!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Annathelle26 In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2018-03-05 22:11:05 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome  
I know, I saw it on insta first^^ I was planning to comment when you would finish it; it's progressing really nicely

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

EllethOfMossflower [2016-05-14 14:00:21 +0000 UTC]

I love this picture!  Maedhros is one of my favorite Tolkien characters, and Fingon is such an amazing and loyal friend.  And I totally agree with everything you said in the description.  It's annoying that so many want to interpret their relationship as romantic. :/

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to EllethOfMossflower [2016-05-19 11:43:30 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!! I'm very glad to hear that you like it and that you agree with me! Most are very defensive about their shipping so I have gotten quite a bit of criticism for my words, but I'm glad to know that others understand my point of view! ^^ because it is not shipping that I do not support, but the fact of corrupting such great friendships when they were so important to the storyline of Silmarillion!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Katiria-the-Cat [2016-05-05 14:11:59 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful as always

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to Katiria-the-Cat [2016-05-11 23:11:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! ^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

donutfreak387 [2016-05-03 18:17:54 +0000 UTC]

Great work, I really love your drawings!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to donutfreak387 [2016-05-11 23:12:49 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! I am very flattered to hear it! ^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

hhimring [2016-05-01 12:06:26 +0000 UTC]

I happen to disagree with some of what you say--but the drawing is great and expresses your take on these characters very well.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to hhimring [2016-05-01 12:53:32 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad to hear that you like the drawing, and I appreciate that you told me in a nice manner that you disagree with me! ^^ thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

AloiInTheSky [2016-04-14 07:05:25 +0000 UTC]

This is such a beautiful drawing and I find your words very insightful <3
Friendship is such a powerful form of love <3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AloiInTheSky [2016-05-11 23:18:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! ^^ I really think friendship is a love that is very underrated, and Im glad you agree! ^^<3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AloiInTheSky In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-12 19:10:27 +0000 UTC]

And it's so true that Tolkien is very gifted to speak about friendship.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AloiInTheSky [2016-05-12 19:12:34 +0000 UTC]

Oh yes he is, which is why it saddens me that people try to turn all of his strong friendships into relationships! :/

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AloiInTheSky In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-13 09:13:57 +0000 UTC]

Yes it's annoying to no end. BardxThranduil, ThorinxThranduil, BilboxThorin, FrodoxSam and whatever... (not to mention Thranduil x Legolas O_O )
I've stopped watching some DA groups just for that.
It's absolutely not that I'm against any gay pairing, but this systematic pairing is irksome.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AloiInTheSky [2016-05-13 09:23:23 +0000 UTC]

Exactly, but the second you point that out people immediately brand you as a homophobe, which is ridiculous, just because you have different opinions than someone... That's why I generally favorite the Silmarillion fandom, because there there's not sooo many silly fangirls as in the hobbit fandom, and you can actually have a grown up discussion with someone about their opinions

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AloiInTheSky In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-25 19:27:03 +0000 UTC]

And now I've just read that moment when Fingon rescued Maedhros from Morgoth and remembered our discussion about friendship <3

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

MercilessArvi [2016-04-13 16:02:43 +0000 UTC]

The drawing is gorgeous, I loved the fierce expression of Maedhros.
I completely agree with you, in my group of friends there are quite a few boys, and people always says there is something going on between some of us.
The whole thing of "boys can never be friends with girls, there's always something more".
The pure love and care for a friend has been distorted nowadays, people always think there's an ulterior reason for being so close to a friend.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to MercilessArvi [2016-05-11 23:20:55 +0000 UTC]

Yes I know that feeling! I usually have more male friends than female, and I always get the questions too! Why cant a friendship just be nice and innocent and be appreciated for that? And Im glad you like the drawing ^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Toradh [2016-04-08 17:05:40 +0000 UTC]

Yay for hair

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to Toradh [2016-05-11 23:21:10 +0000 UTC]

Yay indeed!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Ysydora [2016-04-08 11:30:29 +0000 UTC]

Wow! Nice work!   

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to Ysydora [2016-05-11 23:21:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Ysydora In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-06-06 20:54:14 +0000 UTC]

   

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ProphetQueen [2016-04-07 23:02:59 +0000 UTC]

I absolutley love yor style and the way you draw faces and expressions.
Also I agree completely with everything you say - friendship is seriously underrated while it is actually a beautiful form of relationship and just as strong bond as love is, even stronger sometimes.
In my opinion it deserves more appreciation than it actually gets)

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to ProphetQueen [2016-05-11 23:26:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, and Im very flattered you like my style!^^
I actually think friendship is the strongest kind of love, because it does not require anything other than support and understanding, so Im very glad you agree with me!^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

camelia1845 [2016-04-07 18:14:12 +0000 UTC]

I absolutely love the drawing, and what really touched my heart was actually the description you provided! Thank you for these beautiful, wise words!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to camelia1845 [2016-05-11 23:24:43 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, sweetheart, and I am very glad you liked the description! ^^ I've gotten both postive and negative replies to my point of view so Im afraid to assume anything at this point! ^^'

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

camelia1845 In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-13 05:53:24 +0000 UTC]

Don't be! It's your opinion and you should have it and as long as it doesn't hurt anyone you should be able and proud to express it! Everyone has their opinion, but if people can't take sth other than what they believe in - then too bad for them.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to camelia1845 [2016-05-19 12:01:01 +0000 UTC]

Yes you are right, but I find people are very defensive when it comes to their ships, which I understand but I also would appreciate it if people were a bit more open for discussion than jumping to hating from the beginning! So far I think the silm fandom is the best when it comes to open mindedness, especially considering the hobbit fandom!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

camelia1845 In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-19 19:39:29 +0000 UTC]

Yup, I agree with you. I think it is partly because of who is part of a fandom. I don't mean to judge everyone in a particular fandom by the same standards, but let's face it - Silm fandom is, well, I don't want to say elite, but these are certainly the people who know more of Tolkien's work and appreciate him for more than what most people are familiar with. LotR is probably somewhere in between, although it will forever be my 'mother' sort of, of Tolkiendoms, but The Hobbit... well, I think this fandom grew rapidly after the movies, which were lighter and in my opinion on many levels less mature and complex than the LotR trilogy... so naturally they attracted much of a very... specific audience. Younger and oftentimes less logical and understanding and tolerant than LotR, not speaking of Silm.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

AngelaCross [2016-04-07 16:21:41 +0000 UTC]

So glad I took the time to read what you wrote about Tolkien's portrayal of friendship. You said what I have thought on many occasions. I often wonder about the sexualization of friendships (not to mention familial relationships) in all fandoms. I am a big fan of romantic love, but I also love to see true friendships in stories. I think you're right in that we don't value the beauty and depth that a true friendship can be anymore.  I've got nothin' against shippers. Shippers gonna ship! But it's nice to see that I'm not alone in appreciating friendship for what it can be.

Also, LOVELY picture.  You've captured both the masculinity and delicate elvish-ness that I have yet to be able to achieve. Well done.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AngelaCross [2016-05-11 23:41:57 +0000 UTC]

Awh I am actually really happy to hear that you agree so with my words!^^ I've gotten quite a few tasteless messages over this on tumblr about me being a certain kind of offensive, and it makes me so sad that people cant see what I mean is just that I think friendship is underrated, not that love is bad, but that sometimes we dont appreciate friendship in fandoms, and I think that is quite sad, so thank you!! ^^ (but dont get me started on incestual relationships... thats a whole different thing i think)

And I am very happy you like the drawing, thank you! I think elves are perfect when they have both masculinity and delicate features, which is very hard to get right, yes, so dont feel bad about it, im sure youll achieve it soon!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AngelaCross In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-06-03 22:52:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your kind words.

I'm sorry people sometimes have a sort of righteousness about their viewpoint that they take to a cruel or rude level. I'm so glad you brought this up about friendship though because I'm workin' on a project and some of the characters are close friends, but not in any way romantic and I've had some commission requests to put them in a romantic situation and I've been kind of uncertain about whether I should or not. On the one hand hey, money to draw my OCs and on the other... well, all that you said about appreciation of friendship. Sorry to kind of go off on a tangent, but it definitely gives me a lot to think about and I'm so glad you brought it up.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AngelaCross [2016-06-13 15:30:37 +0000 UTC]

I really dont think you should put them in a romantic setting, if it feels wrong to you, but yes commissions does cater to the will of the client, so if you agree to do the commission i suppose you'll have to do what they want, but always try to stay true to yourself! <3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AngelaCross In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-06-13 17:29:00 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your words. I'm wanting to draw more couples but realizing more and more that I only have one real couple in my story. I'm not givin' my commissioners a lot of options there as I have been more exploring different types of friendships. I will have to add in different types of relationships as well.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AngelaCross [2016-06-17 22:42:12 +0000 UTC]

But that is fantastic!! there are soo many kinds of relationships, not just romantic ones, and it is soo important to keep true and explore those through our writing as well! And I do hope you dont let your commissioners take advantage of you or your characters! ^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

AngelaCross In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-06-21 15:02:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to AngelaCross [2016-06-23 16:38:20 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

EPH-SAN1634 [2016-04-07 10:02:58 +0000 UTC]

Great work

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to EPH-SAN1634 [2016-05-11 23:51:52 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

EPH-SAN1634 In reply to IngvildSchageArt [2016-05-12 01:04:01 +0000 UTC]

No need to ^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

squirrelygirl890 [2016-04-07 05:47:05 +0000 UTC]

....I have no words.  Nothing I can say would be adequate.  Your form is superb.  The context fits perfectly.  I just...I can't even...just wow.  Excellent job!    

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to squirrelygirl890 [2016-05-11 23:52:42 +0000 UTC]

Oh my, thank you!! I am a bit speechless right now... Im so happy you like my words!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

jdmoorethefirst [2016-04-07 04:32:48 +0000 UTC]

Great work, you've definitely captured the pathos Tolkien created with these two...keep it up!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

IngvildSchageArt In reply to jdmoorethefirst [2016-05-12 00:19:57 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!^^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0