More often than not, however, the person who flatly states "Elves aren't like that!" is hard pressed to describe how they really look....as if Tolkien has summoned archetypes from so deep in our minds that we can only recall them incompletely.
I have been illustrating Tolkien's books ever since I first read them, long before illustration became my profession.
Drawing must seek interest, not admiration. Because admiration wears quickly.