Open Education.

Artwork by the Author, William Van Zyl

From an early age, William Van Zyl has been passionate about sketching and technical drawing. His early works explored mechanical details, architectural forms, and intricate studies such as sectional views, perspective drawings, rendered illustrations, and tonal shading.

Over the years, this love of precision and creativity evolved into a deep interest in Urban Sketching. Using fountain pen, ink washes, and watercolour washes, William captures everyday scenes with immediacy and character. His inspiration grew through the work of renowned Australian urban sketcher Liz Steel, whose lively approach encouraged him to experiment with expressive line work and layered washes.

Today, William’s art reflects both his technical foundation and his creative flair—bridging the precision of architectural drafting with the freedom and spontaneity of urban sketching.

Acrylic, Oil, and Multimedia Paintings by the Author, William Van Zyl

About a year ago, William Van Zyl ventured into the world of acrylic, oil, and charcoal painting. Since then, he has continued to experiment and refine his techniques, producing a diverse collection of artworks that blend storytelling, symbolism, and texture.

His first acrylic piece was “Mobi-Dick”, inspired by the saga of Captain Ahab and the great sperm whale. He then explored “Les Misérables”, focusing on Jean Valjean’s journey, with the candlesticks and prison number 24601 symbolising redemption and struggle.

The third work, “He Never Gave Me a Name (Frankenstein)”, captured themes of identity and creation. William then produced a large multimedia piece titled “Small Beginnings”, where Meccano pieces were mounted on plywood, evoking the spirit of invention and play.

Exploring further into mixed media, he created two barbershop-inspired works: one featuring vintage objects such as a razor, brush, and pouch, and another oil painting titled “The Barbershop”, depicting a barber cutting a client’s hair in a classic chair.

Most recently, he created “Redemption Lies Within”, a work inspired by the film The Shawshank Redemption. It references the ice pick hidden in Andy Dufresne’s Bible, symbolising hope, escape, and transformation.

Through these works, William brings together literature, memory, and craft, creating paintings that are as layered in meaning as they are in medium.

Captions for Images

Mobi-Dick (Acrylic) – The epic struggle between Captain Ahab and the great sperm whale.
Les Misérables (Acrylic & Oil) – Jean Valjean, redemption, and the powerful symbolism of candlesticks and prison number 24601.
He Never Gave Me a Name (Frankenstein) – Exploring themes of identity, creation, and abandonment.
Small Beginnings (Multimedia) – Meccano pieces mounted on plywood, celebrating invention and play.
The Barbershop – Vintage Still Life (Multimedia) – A razor, brush, and pouch, mounted on plywood, echoing timeless craft.
The Barbershop (Oil) – A barber at work, cutting hair in a classic shop setting.
Redemption Lies Within (Multimedia) – Inspired by The Shawshank Redemption; an ice pick hidden inside a Bible symbolises hope and transformation.

Gallery Wall Label:

“Lazarus.”

William Van Zyl (New Zealand)
Completed January 2026
Acrylic on canvas with multi-media components

Lazarus draws on the biblical narrative of resurrection and renewal, situated within an imagined archaeological landscape of ancient Israel. The work is constructed over an aged topographical map, incorporating contour lines, symbols, and elevation values that reference both physical terrain and spiritual depth.

Dilapidated buildings emerge from the surface, symbolising decay, memory, and the passage of time, while the fictional burial site of Lazarus serves as the compositional centre. Arid landforms contrast with traces of vegetation, suggesting a tension between desolation and life.

The layered materials—Plaster of Paris bandage, air-dry clay, acrylic paint, copper wire, moss, leather, string, nails, copper wool, steel wire, thin copper sheeting, wooden sticks, and a hand-made paper legend—create a tactile dialogue between fragility and endurance. Together, they evoke themes of death, restoration, and the transformative power of spoken word and faith.

You, too, can be free.