The Wicked Witch of the West drawing has long been a popular subject among artists and fans of "The Wizard of Oz." The character, famously portrayed by Margaret Hamilton in the classic 1939 film, has a uniquely sinister and memorable appearance that has captivated audiences for decades. In many depictions, the Wicked Witch of the West is shown as a green-skinned, black-robed figure with a pointed hat and a broomstick. Her sharp features, exaggerated nose, and wild hair add to her menacing presence. Artists often emphasize her piercing eyes, which can convey a sense of malevolence and power. The act of drawing the Wicked Witch of the West allows artists to explore her character and create their interpretation of this iconic villain.
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Frank Baum in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduced readers to the Wicked Witch of the West, a character so cruel that her name became synonymous with evil. Everyone recognizes its plot an innocent girl from Kansas falls into the Land of Oz, accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, meets a mostly charming cast of characters, and escapes the evil-doings of the Wicked Witch of the West, all to get back home to Kansas.
The act of drawing the Wicked Witch of the West allows artists to explore her character and create their interpretation of this iconic villain. Some artists may choose to emphasize her terrifying nature, using bold strokes and dark colors to create a sense of foreboding. Others may focus on her theatricality, capturing her exaggerated gestures and facial expressions.
Wicked Drawing
This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
The Wizard of Oz is a popular story known throughout the world. Everyone recognizes its plot: an innocent girl from Kansas falls into the Land of Oz, accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, meets a mostly charming cast of characters, and escapes the evil-doings of the Wicked Witch of the West, all to get back home to Kansas. It's a classic tale of good versus evil. Or is it? What if the story were told from the Wicked Witch's perspective?
Written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduced readers to the Wicked Witch of the West, a character so cruel that her name became synonymous with evil. The 1939 movie (starring Judy Garland) made the Witch even scarier, with green skin, a cackling voice, and a pointy hat. Her flying monkey minions and Winkie guards did nothing to soften her image.
Wicked
The Witch maintained an evil persona until 1995, when author Gregory Maguire gave her a reprieve. Influenced by the political turmoil of the Vietnam era, Maguire was curious about how people determined if someone was good or bad. Did a negative outcome make a person bad, even if his intensions were good? Maguire set out to study this question through the character of the Wicked Witch. The result was a book entitled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
In his original books, Baum had given the Witch no origin story and no name. By contrast, Maguire's book tells her story from birth to death and bestows on her the name Elphaba. As a child and teenager, Elphaba--with her green skin and savage nature--is an outsider among both her family and peers. As an adult, she becomes a political activist and joins a resistance movement against the Wizard of Oz, whom she sees as a tyrant. While her actions are meant to help a repressed people, they often have a negative outcome, making Elphaba appear wicked. The Wizard of Oz sees her as a threat, and it's in his best interest to turn the public against her. Maguire's book presents the Witch as mischaracterized rather than simply evil.
Though Wicked wasn't an instant bestseller, it gained in popularity and was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. The Wicked Witch has become an icon for some, representing a person who tries to improve society and a misfit who recognizes what she has to offer.
Maguire sketched this depiction of Elphaba in 2010 when a Kansas Historical Society staff member contacted him to acquire materials related to the book or musical for the collections. Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society's Kansas Museum of History in 2010.
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Entry: Wicked Drawing
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: December 2010
Date Modified: December 2014
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Date Created: December 2010
Various art styles can be applied when drawing the Wicked Witch of the West. Realistic portrayals capture the intricate details of her costume and features, while cartoonish renditions may exaggerate her characteristics for a more whimsical or comical effect. Artists may also experiment with different mediums, such as pencil, ink, or digital illustration, to bring their vision of the character to life. The appeal of the Wicked Witch of the West drawing extends beyond fans of "The Wizard of Oz." Artists from different backgrounds and art genres can find inspiration in her iconic image. Her timeless status as a memorable villain and symbol of wickedness makes her a popular subject for fan art, illustrations, and even tattoo designs. In conclusion, drawing the Wicked Witch of the West offers artists a chance to explore the captivating and sinister aspects of this famous character. Whether staying true to the classic portrayal or adding their unique artistic twist, artists can bring their interpretation of the Wicked Witch to life on paper or screen, capturing the imagination of viewers and preserving the enduring legacy of this enchanting, yet wicked, figure..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch of the West: From Sketches to Halloween Decorations"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to read "Wicked Witch of the West Srawing" as I love fantasy novels, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, with too many subplots that didn't seem to connect. Additionally, I found the characters to be underdeveloped and lacking depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The writing style also didn't captivate me, and I often found myself losing interest and struggling to finish the book. Overall, "Wicked Witch of the West Srawing" fell short of my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 1/5
I regret wasting my time reading "Wicked Witch of the West Srawing". The story was predictable and cliché, offering no new or unique twists on the well-known witch theme. The writing was riddled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures which hindered my reading experience. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in certain parts and rushing through others. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 2/5
I found "Wicked Witch of the West Srawing" to be quite disappointing. The world-building lacked depth, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The plot felt disjointed and inconsistent, jumping from one event to another without sufficient explanation or development. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations were often unclear or nonsensical. Overall, I couldn't fully grasp the purpose or message of this book, and it left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested.
4. Matthew - 1/5
"Wicked Witch of the West Srawing" was a painful read for me. The writing style was overly descriptive, slowing down the pace of the story and making it hard to stay engaged. The dialogue was flat and lacked authenticity, making the interactions between characters feel forced and unnatural. Furthermore, the plot felt scattered, with too many unnecessary details that didn't contribute to the overall story. I was left feeling confused and frustrated by the end, and I do not recommend this book to others.