The Wizard of Oz

Artist: Paul Compton
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Card: US$3.85
Print: from US$32.06

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.

BLYTHART, 2 months ago

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, 2 months ago

beautiful work
plyle, 2 months ago

BEAUTIFUL!!
pinkyjain, 2 months ago

Such a truly wonderful portrait of The Wizard, such magnificent detail, so intricate, amazing, beautiful
Deborah Parkin, 2 months ago

such beautiful work Paul – the detail in his face is superb.
Garth Horsfield, 2 months ago

Such a unique style Paul… something old world about it that I can’t put my finger on. I just love your drawings.
prestonsilcox, 2 months ago

another great one! keep them coming.
silencieux, 2 months ago

BRAVO BRAVO ! superb drawing !
Tambala, 2 months ago

... 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, 2 months ago

A wonderfull series. Clever and beautifully drawn.
Mui-Ling Teh, 2 months ago

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?
ellejayerose, 2 months ago

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, 2 months ago

Anytime Paul. It’s a pleasure to drop by and see what your upto !
Paul Compton in reply to Mui-Ling Teh’s comment, 2 months ago

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 : )
cserpent, 2 months ago

Blythart looks like the guy in the picture… coincidence??
Steven Novak, 2 months ago

This series is dynamite, plain and simple.
Sylvia Karall, 2 months ago

Wonderful, Paul. A very expressive face.
John Douglas, 2 months ago

lovely series, sensitive linework you’re a star
Hoffard, 2 months ago

I love his expression of anxt! Very well done!
Alyson Pearson, 2 months ago

great drawing!
David Wyatt, 2 months ago

You can really pick up his weariness at performing simple magic tricks – fantastic art :)
Alan Findlater, 2 months ago

very nice work well done
butchart, 2 months ago

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, 2 months ago

ur drawings are great!
Paul Compton in reply to helene ruiz’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you Helene. Glad you like them and I really appreciate your comments :)
helene ruiz, 2 months ago

ur so welcome!
RSart, 2 months ago

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
Nicole Ryan, 2 months ago

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, 2 months ago

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 in reply to Del Millar’s comment, 2 months ago

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 Ha..., 12 days ago

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 in reply to Carol & Kev Haberle’s comment, 12 days ago

Once again I can’t thank you enough Carol. Best wishes to you. xo
JohnThunderbird, 7 days ago

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.