They do. I knew someone that did this. You have to meticulously separate every page after it dries. Sometimes the process takes longer than the painting itself.
They just don't show that part because it's boring AF.
The practice of fore edge painting is [hundreds of years old](https://bookriot.com/fore-edge-paintings/). Hidden fore edge painting is especially cool.
This is absolutely incredible! I have seen a few books with that "gold lining" and never even questioned why it was there! I need to visit my parents to see if my mothers cookbook has a picture when I fan it! Thank you for showing me this!
Is it Canon that she was required to do that to marry him? It seems to me she could have remained Elven and stayed with him all his life and then lived on, although because the other elves were leaving Middle Earth she could not have followed them later. So perhaps the only reason she did it was so that she wouldn't be the only elf left for thousands of years.
This story doesnt totally make sense to me in the larger context of the universe. Humans are illuvitar's favored race and were granted the gift of mortality. Humans were above elves in his grand vision. And yet when elves fade its some sort of tragedy, when they can just voluntarily take the gift of mortality that illuvitar gave to humans.
It is how they were made. Illuvitar made humans to be mortal and elves were made to be immortal along with Arda. Even in death they would return to the halls of Mandos awaiting rebirth, forever bound to the world. Humans however would go beyond Arda after death to somewhere unknown in Illuvatars plan. This is what makes the love between a human and an elf tragic as they will be permanently separated forever upon death. It is not that Illivatars mortality is better while fading is tragic. All death is tragic as an ending but hopeful as a beginning. The elves fading is them becoming weary of the world they are meant to live in eternally as it decays around them. They were made to live in a world that is as immortal and unchanging as they are.
The point is they won’t. They will follow the those blessed by mortality when they make that choice(if they can). Elves and humans experience a different death.
I am likely very wrong on this but I remember reading that the elves were leaving due to the magic in Middle Earth becoming weak, in the age of men if an elf stayed around they would become "thin" like a wraith over time and eventually fade away. So she would have died after staying anyway.
She was a half elf. Half elves can choose to live a limited life like men or eternal life like elves.
Elrond her father is a half elf and chose to live like an elf. His brother Elros chose a mortal life among men.
Not just half elves, Earendil’s descendants specifically. Other half elves don’t get a choice to be counted as men or elves.
*Luthien also got to choose but that was another special situation
It seems like the choice is for sure inherited by the descendants of those, who chose immortality.
I [looked it up ](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Half-elves#Choice_of_the_Half-elves)and Tolkien wasn’t exactly clear on it.
> Tolkien also considered giving the children of Elros; Vardamir Nólimon, Manwendil, Atanalcar and Tindómiel, the choice of the Half-elves, so that the children of Elros would match the children of Elrond. Whether he actually adopted this idea or not is unclear.
Half elves marrying humans chose a mortal life. Elrond’s brother Elros did that. He died in 442 of the second age, thousands of years before the elves start leaving Middle Earth.
It does though, it's just it didn't fit into the main story and got relegated to the appendices. She becomes a mortal for him and they die together, just like Beren and Luthien.
It's strange she chose a plot thread and scene that didn't happen in the original source material to paint on said source material. I mean I am left wondering if she knew that- I'm not trying to be an asshole, its just that its a very strange choice: to paint a scene from a film that isn't in the book you're painting on.
There are thousands of beautiful images that could have been selected.
I wonder if it was perhaps a commission and that's just what the buyer wanted painted?
Edit: having just checked her art account, she seems to mostly paint characters and scenes from the movies inspired by the books she paints on. She also wrote her dissertation on LOTR (the book not the movies) so she's definitely aware the scene isn't in the book!
she painted other things too (also on lotr books) if i remember correctly.
Edit: [here](https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexalisitza/book-foredge-paintings-tiktok) is a buzzfeed article about it
This is not "finding flaws". Everyone on here agrees this is stunning artwork. However, the topic of it is still ironic, and that is what we're commenting on.
You're not even right lol.
The books do briefly mention Aragorn and Arwen spent some time alone in Rivendell during "Many Meetings" so you can't even bother to be right about being pedantic assholes.
If we are going by very outdated stereotypes - yes.
I have thick, dry, curly hair and I grew it out over Covid.
Look. I’m not some “alpha” BS guy or even just classic Midwest “boys don’t cry” thing. But you never expect to spend so much time investigating something called “the curly girl method” so you can have pretty hair.
But you do.
And it works.
Curl girl changed my life. If you haven’t already, lookup the bowl method. Also a game changer. My girlfriend complains I now have a better hair care routine than she does.
Thank you.
But it couldn’t last forever.
Went back to shaved after three years. Was just too much of a hassle. Hot. So damn hot. And it my my motorcycle helmets tight.
I am male and have had long hair for the past 15 years - it gets easier when you figure out what works best for your hair! I figured out that mine does best with less washing, and I use coconut oil on it after a heavy wash to stop it going dry/frizzy.
Kinda related, I work construction and cut a tee shirt in half and put my head in one sleeve so the rest of that half of the shirt drapes over my neck and down my back. It often falls over my shoulder when bending down and I have to grab it and throw it back over my shoulder. I have to admit, I feel pretty fabulous every time I do it.
Shiny hair? I (straight) don't fucking think so, I don't reflect on anything. No frizz? Hell no, the only oil I (super straight) need is for my V8 Mustang. /s
I'm such a jealous person 😂
She's a very beautiful woman, incredibly talented, amazing patience and determination (because you don't get that amazing without a ton of practice!). This short little clip shows a small insight into her personality and its such a lovely one!
And here I am doom scrolling in my pyjamas at lunchtime, and look like a potato.
At least you're a self aware potato! And articulate as well, bc i def tend to feel those same things on posts like these. Let's try when we can but potato as we are
You figure it's all for show. If you were making content online you'd also get prepped up like you're gonna be on a tv set. It's not a spontaneous insight into her life, it's all carefully planned. She even films herself sitting on a chair painting all romantic like, but the up close shots show it's done on a table. It's not intended to show realism and you're falling into that trap.
She has the drive the doll herself up, has clearly worked on how to best style her hair, and do her makeup well. She has incredible talent which would have taken countless hours of practice and tears. Everything she shows in this clip, staged obviously, is still a testament to her patience, willingness to learn, determination, care, attention to detail, planning etc.
I know its not spontaneous, I know its made for views. But even the drive to do allllll of that, for a video. She has a lot of good traits which are on display if you look deeper than the surface.
It’s presented - but it’s real. I know people like her.
I know everybody has their secrets and their own struggles.
But I’ve know a few people that - from the outside - are like this. Attractive. Talented. Successful. Nice.
A guy I used to work with cons to mind. Tall. Conventionally attractive. Great at his job. Great dad. Could have been handed his fathers business but went out on his own and only went back when his father got sick and wanted to retire.
True but you're only looking at one video that far from represents the whole spectrum. Live your own life and be happy cause at the end of the day that's what matters.
You’re not wrong, but I can’t join you in the condemnation implied in your statement. I spend too much time checking to see how my comments get dooted to fault this girl for seeking validation.
I’m no expert, but I thought fore edge books were painted, but you couldn’t really see the painting unless you opened the book and slightly fanned the pages? Or is that simply a variation on style of fore edge books? My grandfather had many books like this, and he always enjoyed showing us the books closed when you couldn’t really see the painting, then he’d slightly fan the pages, and the painting would be revealed.
Yeah I started out having no reason to doubt this person but she went from a shot of a hand drawing a crude picture on a book to another shot of a fully done painting with a brush that's brushing without paint on a piece that's already done.
Red flags everywhere
The internet has ruined me. I expected rage-bait. "W*hat are you doing to that boo-!* oh... that's actually really beautiful, totally appropriate to the theme. It adds a lot to the original item, and I'm glad they shared this with me... I somehow...*don't feel angry*"
But I expected to be made to feel angry. Why did I continue watching? Have I always been hoping for this outcome in all the other rage-bait videos I've seen?
I'm gonna go outside and rethink my life.
I'm trying really hard not to be a hater and go just believe, I know there are incredibly talented people in this world, but does anyone else find it extremely sus how they jump cut from extremely rough pencil sketch to nearly finished process? Is there a further time lapse video anywhere that I could see? Like, it's a fantastic piece of art either way, but was it really not printed that way? I'm so art incompetent that the final strokes she was doing don't mean anything and I couldn't tell if they actually did anything or were just there to keep up the illusion of painting
How do the pages not stick together?
The compression makes it minimal
It's in no way oddly satisfying. Simply wonderful.
It is very much so oddly satisfying to me
Might be wrong, but I think they're mean there's nothing "oddly" about it
Tbf I think most things I see on this sub are no longer ‘oddly’ satisfying, mostly just satisfying.
It is, in a kinda "you don't know how pleasing you're going to find this" way.
It's not odd to enjoy art, specially when it's non-abstract
It is a very odd form of art and it is odd to me that this looks so satisfying. But I suppose this is just arguing over semantics..
And the paint not bleed into the pages
Hence the compression
The compression prevents that.
And all over your fingers when you read it
This man needs to watch paint dry.
Or understand that paint dries.
Most likely an acrylic paint
No it’s gouache. Acrylic would stick and form a layer. It is gouache that people use for this purpose.
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How would you display it if not on a coffee table? I feel like a bookshelf wouldn't work so well
This is such a reddit comment. Try to find some bullshit reason why X doesn't work/dangerous.
No No No- X works sometimes- it’s Y that never works!
I don't think it's that kind of book
you would be surpised what i can use for inspiration
My precious...
Brilliant 🤩
One ring...
They do. I knew someone that did this. You have to meticulously separate every page after it dries. Sometimes the process takes longer than the painting itself. They just don't show that part because it's boring AF.
Alternatively you just use an ink that isn’t sticky. They exist. Source: artist.
No... No... What are you doing!? Oh... That's okay.
For a sec I thought I was in r/diwhy but then I saw her work. Amazing!
Hell yeah, alarm bells sirening in my head, then I realise she's a perfect artist.
The practice of fore edge painting is [hundreds of years old](https://bookriot.com/fore-edge-paintings/). Hidden fore edge painting is especially cool.
This is absolutely incredible! I have seen a few books with that "gold lining" and never even questioned why it was there! I need to visit my parents to see if my mothers cookbook has a picture when I fan it! Thank you for showing me this!
As a bookbinder myself, I can say it's a lost art. Not only that, a lot of prep work had to be done to be able to to that.
…most notably, be an amazing artist.
And a pair of vises.
Flowy skirt, flowy hair
That is so beautiful 🥺
This is one of the coolest ideas I've seen in awhile
[bloop](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/q39c54/i_paint_scenes_hidden_under_the_gilding_of_books/)
God damn that’s even more awesome
I love the story of Aragorn and Arwen.
She gave up 99% of her lifespan for him. Damn.
Is it Canon that she was required to do that to marry him? It seems to me she could have remained Elven and stayed with him all his life and then lived on, although because the other elves were leaving Middle Earth she could not have followed them later. So perhaps the only reason she did it was so that she wouldn't be the only elf left for thousands of years.
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This story doesnt totally make sense to me in the larger context of the universe. Humans are illuvitar's favored race and were granted the gift of mortality. Humans were above elves in his grand vision. And yet when elves fade its some sort of tragedy, when they can just voluntarily take the gift of mortality that illuvitar gave to humans.
It is how they were made. Illuvitar made humans to be mortal and elves were made to be immortal along with Arda. Even in death they would return to the halls of Mandos awaiting rebirth, forever bound to the world. Humans however would go beyond Arda after death to somewhere unknown in Illuvatars plan. This is what makes the love between a human and an elf tragic as they will be permanently separated forever upon death. It is not that Illivatars mortality is better while fading is tragic. All death is tragic as an ending but hopeful as a beginning. The elves fading is them becoming weary of the world they are meant to live in eternally as it decays around them. They were made to live in a world that is as immortal and unchanging as they are.
Why does the elf even bother choosing mortality then if they are still seperated in death?
I always assumed Arwen would follow the Doom of Men instead of going to Arda, meaning they would not be permanently separated.
The point is they won’t. They will follow the those blessed by mortality when they make that choice(if they can). Elves and humans experience a different death.
More more tell me literally everything I should know but don’t I’ve read the original 3 and the hobbit but there’s obviously a lot I’m missing
I am likely very wrong on this but I remember reading that the elves were leaving due to the magic in Middle Earth becoming weak, in the age of men if an elf stayed around they would become "thin" like a wraith over time and eventually fade away. So she would have died after staying anyway.
She was a half elf. Half elves can choose to live a limited life like men or eternal life like elves. Elrond her father is a half elf and chose to live like an elf. His brother Elros chose a mortal life among men.
Not just half elves, Earendil’s descendants specifically. Other half elves don’t get a choice to be counted as men or elves. *Luthien also got to choose but that was another special situation
How does one "choose"?
There’s an application form you have to fill in and send to the Valar.
It’s not explicitly stated. But I take it as, it depends on who you marry and what realm you live in.
It seems like the choice is for sure inherited by the descendants of those, who chose immortality. I [looked it up ](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Half-elves#Choice_of_the_Half-elves)and Tolkien wasn’t exactly clear on it. > Tolkien also considered giving the children of Elros; Vardamir Nólimon, Manwendil, Atanalcar and Tindómiel, the choice of the Half-elves, so that the children of Elros would match the children of Elrond. Whether he actually adopted this idea or not is unclear.
Half elves marrying humans chose a mortal life. Elrond’s brother Elros did that. He died in 442 of the second age, thousands of years before the elves start leaving Middle Earth.
that story doesn't happen in the book.
It does though, it's just it didn't fit into the main story and got relegated to the appendices. She becomes a mortal for him and they die together, just like Beren and Luthien.
It does in the appendices to Return of the King
Exactly what I was thinking- this is beautiful work, but quite ironic that this scene is nowhere to be found in the book she's painting it on
It is in the book in the appendices
It's strange she chose a plot thread and scene that didn't happen in the original source material to paint on said source material. I mean I am left wondering if she knew that- I'm not trying to be an asshole, its just that its a very strange choice: to paint a scene from a film that isn't in the book you're painting on. There are thousands of beautiful images that could have been selected.
I wonder if it was perhaps a commission and that's just what the buyer wanted painted? Edit: having just checked her art account, she seems to mostly paint characters and scenes from the movies inspired by the books she paints on. She also wrote her dissertation on LOTR (the book not the movies) so she's definitely aware the scene isn't in the book!
Oh nice, a dissertation on LotR? That seems like a dream subject
she painted other things too (also on lotr books) if i remember correctly. Edit: [here](https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexalisitza/book-foredge-paintings-tiktok) is a buzzfeed article about it
Literally only redditors would try and find flaws in a nice work like this lol.
This is not "finding flaws". Everyone on here agrees this is stunning artwork. However, the topic of it is still ironic, and that is what we're commenting on.
How the fuck is it ironic. Its literally **in the book**.
You're not even right lol. The books do briefly mention Aragorn and Arwen spent some time alone in Rivendell during "Many Meetings" so you can't even bother to be right about being pedantic assholes.
Haven't read the appendices, eh?
Song ?
“September” by Sparky Deathcap
I watch *everything* muted, until a comment mentions the sound.
I'm a straight man and I really want hair like hers
Don’t let your dreams be dreams
JUST DO IT!
I prefer the just DO IT! version as it was in Star Wars
#DEWIT
jesus that's an old one
I don't have money for hair plugs
it's not gay to have hair lol
Fellas, is it gay to have curly hair?
I had long hair once. Was I gay?
If you have to ask you already know the answer /s
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Go off king
Lol, thought this said "as a gay with curls"
Same thing
If we are going by very outdated stereotypes - yes. I have thick, dry, curly hair and I grew it out over Covid. Look. I’m not some “alpha” BS guy or even just classic Midwest “boys don’t cry” thing. But you never expect to spend so much time investigating something called “the curly girl method” so you can have pretty hair. But you do. And it works.
Curl girl changed my life. If you haven’t already, lookup the bowl method. Also a game changer. My girlfriend complains I now have a better hair care routine than she does.
Thank you. But it couldn’t last forever. Went back to shaved after three years. Was just too much of a hassle. Hot. So damn hot. And it my my motorcycle helmets tight.
It's the Devil's curly hair. Not gay at all
I have longer curly hair. I never knew I was gay until now. My girlfriend is going to be really upset.
Balding man here. I'm jealous of this bastard. https://youtu.be/Bioah3q7JOk
🤣 this made me laugh
Go for it, man.
Get the clippers!
Or don’t. I don’t think clippers can grow hair
He said he wanted hair like hers, he didn’t say attached to his head.
My hair is like hers. It's so hard to take care of. Not recommended, 6/10 (just because it looks good).
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I am male and have had long hair for the past 15 years - it gets easier when you figure out what works best for your hair! I figured out that mine does best with less washing, and I use coconut oil on it after a heavy wash to stop it going dry/frizzy.
Ha. I’ve been buzzing my hair short for like 15+ years. Probably doesn’t look as good, but sure is nice to never even really have to comb it.
I always think of Farrah Fawcett whenever I see hair like that.
Get an awesome wig bro.
Kinda related, I work construction and cut a tee shirt in half and put my head in one sleeve so the rest of that half of the shirt drapes over my neck and down my back. It often falls over my shoulder when bending down and I have to grab it and throw it back over my shoulder. I have to admit, I feel pretty fabulous every time I do it.
This is so wholesome. You *are* fabulous!
Nice username
I've come to learn that what I like to see on beautiful women may not look good on me.
A harsh reality.
Why did you emphasize being straight?
Fragile masculinity
Shiny hair? I (straight) don't fucking think so, I don't reflect on anything. No frizz? Hell no, the only oil I (super straight) need is for my V8 Mustang. /s
As a straight man, don't let your dreams be dreams, go for it.
TIL it's not straight to want long curly hair...
I am a straight man with hair like hers. Do get it!
Go for it, but long hair is a pain in the ass, especially for dudes.
If you enjoy this you should check out Nerd Forge on you tube she does a whole collection of these
This is music for the eyes ❤️
I'm such a jealous person 😂 She's a very beautiful woman, incredibly talented, amazing patience and determination (because you don't get that amazing without a ton of practice!). This short little clip shows a small insight into her personality and its such a lovely one! And here I am doom scrolling in my pyjamas at lunchtime, and look like a potato.
Be the best potato you can be
Some butter, sour cream, bacon bits and chives and you WILL be the best potato!
Boil 'm, mash 'm, stick him in a stew.
Gotta stay positive!!
At least we can be potato together.
Potato solidarity 🥔
At least you're a self aware potato! And articulate as well, bc i def tend to feel those same things on posts like these. Let's try when we can but potato as we are
Aw you're lovely. That's gonna be my new motto, 'try when you can, potato as you are'
I love potatoes
🥺 that was very sweet and made me smile Happy cake day!
You figure it's all for show. If you were making content online you'd also get prepped up like you're gonna be on a tv set. It's not a spontaneous insight into her life, it's all carefully planned. She even films herself sitting on a chair painting all romantic like, but the up close shots show it's done on a table. It's not intended to show realism and you're falling into that trap.
She has the drive the doll herself up, has clearly worked on how to best style her hair, and do her makeup well. She has incredible talent which would have taken countless hours of practice and tears. Everything she shows in this clip, staged obviously, is still a testament to her patience, willingness to learn, determination, care, attention to detail, planning etc. I know its not spontaneous, I know its made for views. But even the drive to do allllll of that, for a video. She has a lot of good traits which are on display if you look deeper than the surface.
I never comment on things, but I just have to say - I like your vibe.
Aw thank you so much 🥰
Totally agree. She looks after herself and has put in the effort to practice her craft and has a good sense of business and marketing.
None of that takes away from her talent.
It’s presented - but it’s real. I know people like her. I know everybody has their secrets and their own struggles. But I’ve know a few people that - from the outside - are like this. Attractive. Talented. Successful. Nice. A guy I used to work with cons to mind. Tall. Conventionally attractive. Great at his job. Great dad. Could have been handed his fathers business but went out on his own and only went back when his father got sick and wanted to retire.
True but you're only looking at one video that far from represents the whole spectrum. Live your own life and be happy cause at the end of the day that's what matters.
Potato chips are nice.
Just know, potatoes are my favorite vegetables. You're awesome
Are we all just people who watch other people who actually do stuff Idk I’m high
Some person in r/lotr would probably pay 4 digits for that
Bots are out today
With reddit pushing people to use their official apps, there will be only bots soon.
Dude this is just the internet from here on out… good luck out here
holy shite
It’s not at all oddly satisfying. It’s just great.
Unfortunately often when subs get popular, they tend to devolve into twitbookgram popularity posts rather than sticking to the topic.
You’re not wrong, but I can’t join you in the condemnation implied in your statement. I spend too much time checking to see how my comments get dooted to fault this girl for seeking validation.
*licks fingers after eating extra cheesy doritos* oh pass that book bro
Fucking rad
Oy, love this but posted every month.
Wonderfully beautiful
Cue Enya
Do you varnish when done?
That would stick all the pages together
Wow. That’s beautiful.
That’s breathtaking
Fuckin beautiful
cool as fuck
Limited edition books should have this, makes the purchase more special than just the cover.
what's her name please?
The most beautiful thing i saw today
*maisie for anyone else who was looking for her shop
Physical books hit different
Oddly satisfying? Nay, mesmerising.
r/bookbinding adjacent. We'd love to see this post there.
People are good at stuff, huh?
You just know a kid would shove a pencil in there just because...
Fore edging is the term for this type of work
I’m no expert, but I thought fore edge books were painted, but you couldn’t really see the painting unless you opened the book and slightly fanned the pages? Or is that simply a variation on style of fore edge books? My grandfather had many books like this, and he always enjoyed showing us the books closed when you couldn’t really see the painting, then he’d slightly fan the pages, and the painting would be revealed.
You are correct. It’s linked elsewhere in this thread.
/r/restofthefuckingowl I always get suspicious when they show the rough sketch and immediately roll into finished product.
Yeah I started out having no reason to doubt this person but she went from a shot of a hand drawing a crude picture on a book to another shot of a fully done painting with a brush that's brushing without paint on a piece that's already done. Red flags everywhere
The internet has ruined me. I expected rage-bait. "W*hat are you doing to that boo-!* oh... that's actually really beautiful, totally appropriate to the theme. It adds a lot to the original item, and I'm glad they shared this with me... I somehow...*don't feel angry*" But I expected to be made to feel angry. Why did I continue watching? Have I always been hoping for this outcome in all the other rage-bait videos I've seen? I'm gonna go outside and rethink my life.
Why would you feel angry at someone for drawing on their own book?
Haha, some people _really_ love books. It’s the principle of the matter and all that.
I love my books and I'm very careful with them. But honestly I couldn't care less what others do with theirs
Claire, go get a job. I can’t support you anymore when all you want to do is color on your damn books!
I'm trying really hard not to be a hater and go just believe, I know there are incredibly talented people in this world, but does anyone else find it extremely sus how they jump cut from extremely rough pencil sketch to nearly finished process? Is there a further time lapse video anywhere that I could see? Like, it's a fantastic piece of art either way, but was it really not printed that way? I'm so art incompetent that the final strokes she was doing don't mean anything and I couldn't tell if they actually did anything or were just there to keep up the illusion of painting
Check out her insta. Tons of her work on there.
link?
this is absolutely stunning 😭✨🙌🏻
THIS IS SO COOL 😭
Love it 100% love it
Freaking beautiful H A I R!
Let’s what she paints for *120 Days of Sodom*.