John Howe, Gorfindel and the balrog, 1989, 46.5 x 63.8 cm, private collection. Website: http://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gallery/data/media/35/GlorfindelAndTheBalrog.jpg



This picture is from a Lord Of The Rings fanfiction. They are very high up on a mountain, based on a cliff in Ireland. The mountains in the back are based on a range in Ireland. There are cracks in the mountain, meaning the artist paid close attention to detail. The balrog apears to be off balance, and is striking out at the mountainside itself. The lines seem to nearly all be curved, and only "cool" colors are used. I think this is realism because it is drawn to look like it would if it were real. It was painted before the movie came out, meaning it was based entirely on the book. Further proving this, is the fact that the balrog is not on fire, as it was in the movie.