The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz by Paul Compton
The Wizard of Oz by Paul Compton

The Wizard of Oz

Ink and pencil drawing on paper.
From a series of drawings I did whilst reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire.
This shows the Wizard of Oz in his true, mundane light. The suggestion of a skull in the background is referencing the Wizard’s potential involvement in the death of Dr. Dillamond the Goat.

The Wizard of Oz belongs to the following groups:

Fine Arts Influenced by Literature
  • BLYTHART

    BLYTHART

    Another good illustration. I spend a lot of time looking at Redbubble artists and you are up there with the best of them. Join a few groups and get your work seen by more people; you’re good!

  • Rosina  Lamberti

    Rosina Lamberti

    beautiful work

  • plyle

    plyle

    BEAUTIFUL!!

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain

    Such a truly wonderful portrait of The Wizard, such magnificent detail, so intricate, amazing, beautiful

  • Deborah Parkin

    Deborah Parkin

    such beautiful work Paul – the detail in his face is superb.

  • Garth Horsfield

    Garth Horsfield

    Such a unique style Paul… something old world about it that I can’t put my finger on. I just love your drawings.

  • prestonsilcox

    prestonsilcox

    another great one! keep them coming.

  • silencieux

    silencieux

    BRAVO BRAVO ! superb drawing !

  • Tina Hogg

    Tina Hogg

    ... and he knows it’s mundane, judging by those eyes. I hope you are really proud of this (my partner’s just looked over my shoulder and said “that is a seriously good ink drawing”). Don’t think I can add more…. bloody brilliant!

  • Steven Guy

    Steven Guy

    A wonderfull series. Clever and beautifully drawn.

  • Mui-Ling Teh

    Mui-Ling Teh

    Lovely work Paul. I love how you got the focal attention by drawing your main subject with so much detail, while meanwhile the symbolic references blend into the background. You’e talked about the goat skull and I’m curious to as what your thoughts were as you drew the glasses, the clock and the face next to the wizard. I even begin to see the shading beind the wizard taking on a monstrous form. His shadow showing another side of him perhaps?

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Mui-Ling Teh’s comment

    Thanks for the insights Mui-Ling. You’d be right about the monstrous form because The Wizard is quite a callous individual and, I would consider, one of the most horrid characters in the book. I’m not sure why I drew the glasses or the clock but I specifically made the clock one minute to midnight – in the book there is a worshiped clock that is always stays set at that time. The other face references the two-sided personality of the wizard. Thanks so much for commenting : )

  • ellejayerose

    ellejayerose

    adore the unrefined pencil work in contrast to the areas you have worked up in black and coloured ink . The deep set eyes and contemplation lines of the characters face make him appear statuesque like a depiction of a Greek Philosopher

  • Steven Guy

    Steven Guy

    Anytime Paul. It’s a pleasure to drop by and see what your upto !

  • cserpent

    cserpent

    Blythart looks like the guy in the picture… coincidence??

  • Steven Novak

    Steven Novak

    This series is dynamite, plain and simple.

  • Sylvia Karall

    Sylvia Karall

    Wonderful, Paul. A very expressive face.

  • John Douglas

    John Douglas

    lovely series, sensitive linework you’re a star

  • Hoffard

    Hoffard

    I love his expression of anxt! Very well done!

  • Alyson Pearson

    Alyson Pearson

    great drawing!

  • David Wyatt

    David Wyatt

    You can really pick up his weariness at performing simple magic tricks – fantastic art :)

  • Alan Findlater

    Alan Findlater

    very nice work well done

  • butchart

    butchart

    i love the movement of his vest all going towards the heart… and the blue banding around the hat…. your work deserves close contemplation….....b

  • helene ruiz

    helene ruiz

    ur drawings are great!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to helene ruiz’s comment

    Thank you Helene. Glad you like them and I really appreciate your comments :)

  • helene ruiz

    helene ruiz

    ur so welcome!

  • RSart

    RSart

    this is a brilliant piece, the dark circles around his eyes so much so that you can’t see them well any more… creates such a chilling feel to this piece

  • PJ Ryan

    PJ Ryan

    Paul, this is brilliant !!

    you absolutely never cease to amaze me ..

    there is such detail in his face .. such depth .. i love the character you inject into your ink

    xx

  • Del Millar

    Del Millar

    Great concept/detailed drawing.
    Haven’t read Wicked yet but will, also see the show.
    I have done a lot of stage work and was West Witch in Wizard of Oz on stage during the 80’s.
    I loved the role, and with my portrayal,voice etc, nobody recognised it was me.
    Makeup artist created me a witchy nose,warts etc. I should put a photo on RB !

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Del Millar’s comment

    Oh wow! Please do! That would be great. The first live performance I ever went to was a production of The Wizard of Oz so the story has a permanent place in my heart. The witch was always the most exciting and engaging character to me. Thank you for commenting Del : )

  • Carol & Kev Haberle

    Carol & Kev Ha...

    So much depth within his face Paul…you truly have captured the character of the wizard to perfection….just so love your talent….

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Carol & Kev Haberle’s comment

    Once again I can’t thank you enough Carol. Best wishes to you. xo

  • JohnThunderbird

    JohnThunderbird

    I always wondered about the symbolism of the green wizard, perhaps a reference to the heart chakra. The 3 souls looking for values only to find a reflection of a little green man who can’t really help them but mirror their own needs back at them. he was very short and went looking for someone who could help him become “bigger’ himself but found no one to help him, so he stayed and became the wizard, only by default.

  • MaiaRamish

    MaiaRamish

    you do have such a stunning folio

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to MaiaRamish’s comment

    Thank you so much Maia. Best wishes to you : )

  • Jasmine Moston

    Jasmine Moston

    Great sketch.

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Jasmine Moston’s comment

    Thank you Jasmine : )

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