I was on vacation when this came up. I ALWAYS think about work... a stressful problem sometimes that I can't always shake... so I lurked in my email inbox like Gollum waiting for a fish.
This movie is in my Top-10 favorite films of all time. I wanted to do it justice. I suggested to my creative coworkers that they design a background using the 4 main characters in a scene from the movie. They said they wanted me to do that. While I was away they had already chosen their pieces and all but insisted I do the group shot. While it sounded like a lot of work it also sounded like fun character design work.
It took me longer than I think it should have but it turned out to be one of my favorite Fairway folio of backgrounds. I chose the scene where they meet the Cowardly Lion. Initially I wanted to make the Lion a kitten but that didn't work so I made him a cuddly fellow. Since I didn't include McDivot or Sandy I made Burnie the Tin Man. I love Burnie.
Here it is. My reference image is below.
