John Howe, one of the leading fantasy illustrators has brought the magical dream world of Middle-Earth where J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” is set, to life since the 1980s through book cover illustrations, maps and posters. His work allows readers to visually immerse themselves in the enchanting landscapes they long to explore. Additionally, Howe’s contributions as an illustrator and concept designer for film and television adaptations of Tolkien’s books have played a vital role in visualizing the fantastical universe created by the author.

In an interview, Howe has described fantasy illustration as the process of adding several layers to the known world to create a new dreamscape. For him, creating fantasy illustrations is less about sharing what is imagined in the mind and more about revealing the subconscious imagery that exists within humanity. To achieve this, Howe explains that, instead of diving into research immediately after reading the text to be illustrated, he prefers to wait for the images to begin forming naturally in his mind and follows them intuitively. He notes that these images are connected by a relationship that is not immediately perceivable and transcends logic.

If the lasting impact of Howe’s illustrations stems from such an approach, understanding his working methods can be invaluable for aspiring fantasy illustrators. This study examines Howe’s insights and suggestions through his writings and interviews. Fantasy illustrations created with the methods Howe describes can bring subconscious imagery to the surface, adding depth to our understanding of the human experience.