From the Lord of the Rings

I read The Lord of the RIngs the first time when I was about twelve, I think. Since then the story has been a source of inspiration to me as an artist. I do know that it is under copyright protection, so just for the record this picture is NOT for sale. (Nor am I open to private commissions, I publish this hoping its okay by the Tolkien estate.) I might hope to be commissioned to do Tolkien artwork some day, but seeing how it's dominated by the movie concept art and the established artists, it hardly seems likely. Nevertheless, I do think there is more scope for doing LOTR art - especially "by the book". This is one where I try to stay faithful to the (sparse) descriptions. Painted in guache, it could have done with more contrast. What was is John Howe used...transparent inks?