John Blanche Tolkien The Hobbit The Battle of Five Armies painting in The Tolkien Bestiary

John Blanche is known for his long term work with Games Workshop on Warhammer related art. His art was featured in early issues of White Dwarf and adorned early Dungeons and Dragons miniature boxes. But its really his work on Warhammer products that he is known for. That art is not on the open market. It simply doesn't exist as it is all with the parent company or was gifted to former employees and friends. If you want a piece of Blanche Warhammer art then good luck and also get in line.

Blanche's work is "different". Some love it, some hate it. It is super detailed and some find it messy. He helped define the look of early Warhammer and the feel of grimdark fantasy.

As a big fan of Tolkien art, I pursued these pieces when I first learned they may be for sale. It took about a year but they finally arrived. These pieces were published originally in the Tolkien Bestiary and have re-appeared in most of David Day's recycled books. The detail is truly amazing to behold in person.

This piece is called The Battle of Five Armies, showing the climax to The Hobbit. Mostly focusing on the forces of evil (wargs in the foreground) you can just make out the arrival of the eagles in the distance, which turned the tide of the battle.

Thank you Lincoln for working with me on these.