Matěj Čadil

Visions of Middle-earth | Matěj Čadil | Substack Exploring Tolkien’s world through art. Click to read Visions of Middle-earth, by Matěj Čadil, a Substack publication. Launched 14 days ago.

I’ve started a Substack: Visions of Middle‑earth. A home for my longer dives into Tolkien’s world: the research behind my art, the symbolism, and the curious questions that arise when you look too closely at the texts.
You’re welcome to read and subscribe:

👉 matejcadil.substack.com 👈

And the Gaffer's warning did come true in a way. Sam did land in trouble far greater than he could imagine. Yet we are all grateful for that. 😀

My new illustration: Seeds of Learning

"Mr. Bilbo has learned him his letters – meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come of it. ‘Elves and Dragons’ I says to him. ‘Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don’t go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you’ll land in trouble too big for you,’"

Before the Stones of Orthanc and Minas Tirith, another palantír lay hidden in Middle‑earth: the Elendil Stone of Elostirion. Unlike the others, it gazed westward, revealing visions of the Undying Lands. Until Círdan placed it aboard Elrond’s ship at the end of the Third Age.

#tolkienart

Do you remember this moment from the Lord of the Rings when Gandalf "risks a little real light" and the Fellowship suddenly becomes aware of the vastness and forgotten beauty of Khazad-dûm?
I really enjoyed depicting the vast hall in the background. I think the white-on-black works well for it.

The Forbidden Pool (2022). A dangerous spot to go fishing, although Gollum seems to be enjoying it. But someone may be watching him... 👀⁠
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Henneth Annûn has always been one of favourite locations in the Lord of the Rings.
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Does my illustration look similar to how you imagined this place?⁠

"Mr. Bilbo has learned him his letters – meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come of it."
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Line art, but I am going to make a fully coloured illustration. What do you think of it so far?

👍

Thank you!

I also create hand‑embellished prints of this piece, where I add metallic highlights by hand to bring out the glow of the star and runes, if you are interested:
matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1352...

The Doors of Durin are among the most iconic images in Tolkien’s world. There are many illustrations where they are shown closed, but I wanted to capture a different moment: when the riddle is solved and the doors open.

Thank you!

How do you imagine the Crown of Gondor? 👑
In the book it is described beautifully, a jewelled silver helm with pearl wings. But it's difficult to actually depict. No wonder there are few illustrations and the film depicted it totally differently.⁠

So, obviously, I had to try it myself. 😁

I approached them a little differently and used different techniques. Which one do you like better? ☺️

A little comparison of my two illustrations, which capture scenes just moments apart from Chapter 5 of the Hobbit: "There is a Shadow by the Door" and "Buttons on the Doorstep".

I drew Night in Mirkwood originally in 2022 with light ink on dark paper. And I think with all the glowing eyes, twisted trees, and black bats it is quite fitting to share today.🙂
Prints are available if you’d like to bring a little Mirkwood mystery to your walls: matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1396...

This scene from The Hobbit has haunted me for years: Thorin & Company try to kindle some comfort in the uncanny night. But the fire only draws out the hidden life of Mirkwood. Tolkien’s description is vivid, unsettling, and strangely beautiful. I wanted to capture that eerie tension.

Ever wondered what it feels like to light a fire in the heart of Mirkwood? 🔥👁️🦇🕷️🕸️

Riddles in the Dark – finished illustration | Matěj Čadil Get more from Matěj Čadil on Patreon

If you’d like to see close-ups, read about my inspiration, or learn why I included certain things, I’ve shared all the details in a Patreon post: www.patreon.com/posts/riddle...
Your support helps me keep creating these lore-rich illustrations. Thank you for being part of this journey. 💛

At its heart is the encounter between Bilbo and Gollum, set on the shore of the underground lake. Around the central scene, I’ve woven ten circular vignettes, each depicting one of the riddles from the chapter.

After months of sketching, planning, and layering colour, I’m thrilled to share my finished illustration for Chapter 5 of The Hobbit – “Riddles in the Dark”.⁠
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What do you think of how this illustration turned out?⁠

#tolkienart #thehobbit #tolkien

I used ink alone for the dark interior of the cave, but added colour to highlight the contrast: the glint of brass and the sunlit valley with the promise of air and freedom.

I am quite happy with how this turned out, I really like the contrast in it.⁠ What do you think?

Today’s piece (for Inktober 2025 Day 22 prompt "Button") is a moment from The Hobbit, just after Bilbo’s escape from the goblin tunnels. On the rocky doorstep lie the remnants of his struggle: the shiny brass buttons that burst off as he squeezed through the door.⁠

There’s something deeply haunting about this moment. That lonely flicker of hope in the frozen desolation of the North. For a brief instant, rescue seems within reach. Yet the story ends in tragedy, as the ship is later crushed by the ice and lost beneath the waves, along with Arvedui.

For the Inktober prompt "Arctic", I was inspired by a passage from the Appendix to the Lord of the Rings, about Arvedui the last king of Arnor, who escaped from the fall of Fornost to the far north to the shore of the Ice bay of Forochel and waited for the rescue by the elven mariners of Círdan.

The Tower Hall of Minas Tirith, based on the passage when Pippin and Gandalf first come to Denethor.
What do you think, is it fitting for the Inktober 2025 prompt "Ornate"?
#inktober2025ornate #tolkienart

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door” he used to say. “You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”⁠

What began as a small bookmark has grown into one of my most beloved works.
The Road Goes Ever On, based on Bilbo’s walking song, showing the Road as a river flowing through Middle-earth.

Prints and bookmarks: matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1449...

#TolkienArt #Tolkien #MiddleEarth

“In western lands beneath the Sun…” Sam’s song carries hope through shadow. My illustration captures that moment — light remembered in dark places.
🖼️ Hand-embellished art prints here: matejcadil.etsy.com/listing/1302...

I considered many interesting moments of drinking from Tolkien's stories, but as soon as I thought of this moment from the Hobbit I found the idea so delightful that I knew I had to draw it. It took me relatively long, but I am quite happy with the result. 🙂⁠
⁠What do you think?