Gandalf 

Alan Lee made this watercolor, *Gandalf*, bringing Tolkien's imagined world into being with fluid brushstrokes. Consider the inherent qualities of watercolor: its transparency, its tendency to pool and flow, its reliance on the white of the paper for luminosity. Lee skillfully exploits these characteristics to create a sense of ethereal depth and atmosphere. He builds up layers of thin washes, allowing the light to filter through the canopy and illuminate the figures. The texture of the paper becomes integral to the work, lending a subtle graininess to the verdant undergrowth. Watercolor has a long history, associated with both amateur and professional practice. It is a relatively portable medium, ideal for capturing landscapes and fleeting moments. Yet, in Lee's hands, watercolor transcends its utilitarian origins to become a powerful tool for world-building. This isn't simply illustration, but evocative art.