Flight to the Ford: Visual Elements

Part three of this Visual Elements “series” is taking a look at John Howe’s Flight to the Ford. It has a lot going on so there should be plenty to say.

Line: The figures seem to be creating a psychological line as the riders rush into the foreground. Your eyes can follow it easily.

Shape: I just love the shape of the horses in the water. That’s all.

Value: There’s great contrast in value between the water and the black rider.

Color: Everything kind of has a cool tone or hue to it. Even Frodo and Asfaloth (Glorfindel’s horse) are almost reflecting back the color of the water, and the warmer colors are understated.

Texture: The water has a nice frothy texture, and also the detailed crevices in the rocks.

Space: From the relative size of the first ringwraith compared to Frodo you can see how close he is to over taking him.

Time and Motion: The entire piece speaks about time and motion. The positioning of the horses and riders, the frothiness of the water, the way the hair and cloaks seem to be sweeping in the direction of the wind.

"It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish." J. R. R. Tolkien