Applied Illustration Developed Tolkien Pieces

I started to develop some character pieces as a test run for my final piece idea and I quickly realised it didn't really work and I wasn't enjoying it which would not bode well for a long project. The problems stem from that it was very hard to make the work unique and not just derivative and lacked a unique tone of voice as subconsciously I was just drawing the The Lord of the Rings from the films. So I've decided to move away from this idea as I feel if I try and carry it on I'm just going to get stuck in a rut and I'd just end up changing the idea at a later date.