How it was made – Wizard of Pawz

The artwork began as a series of sketches to get the feel of the characters.

In the beginning stages I was exploring a more babyish look to the group.

 

 

The final sketch was drawn on a 20×24 piece of Strathmore Bristol Board.

I now start adding some of the basic colors using Prismacolor pencils.  At this stage I am starting to block in my color palette and put in details like the eyes.  If the eyes are wrong, then its time to start over.  Colored pencil does not allow for much erasing.

Working on the Scarecrow.  I like to finish up one character at time.  There is probably eight hours of work in just this one character.

Now it’s on to the Tinman.  He was a lot of fun to design with his monochrome colors.  He has a really sweet look  to him.

Now on to Dorothy.  All of those little squares on her dress!  Look, Toto is a guinea pig, because, of course he is… a cat can’t carry a dog.

Finally the Cowardly Calico Lion.  He was a challenge because he is really a cat.  How to make a cat into a Lion?  I decided to make a lion into a cat. And yes, Calico Cats can be boys.

This is the final piece with all of the background added in.  One of my favorites.  Lots of color and fun.

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