From Sketch to Spectacle: Creating a Mesmerizing Wicked Witch of the West Drawing

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The wicked witch of the west drawing is a depiction of one of the most iconic and frightening characters in literature and film. Known for her green skin, pointed hat, and broomstick, the wicked witch of the west has become synonymous with evil and mischief. The drawing captures the essence of this character, evoking fear and intrigue in the viewer. The drawing typically portrays the witch in a menacing pose, with her broomstick in hand and a wicked grin on her face. Her dark, piercing eyes and long, bony fingers add to her intimidating presence. The artist often emphasizes the witch's green skin, using shading and texture to create a sense of dimension.


Date Modified: December 2014

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. 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.

Wicked witch of the west drawing

The artist often emphasizes the witch's green skin, using shading and texture to create a sense of dimension. The hat, adorned with a wide brim, adds to her sinister appearance. The wicked witch of the west drawing can be found in various mediums, including sketches, paintings, and digital art.

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

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.

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Wicked witch of the west drawing

Each artist brings their unique interpretation to the character, adding their own style and flair. Some artists may emphasize her grotesque features, while others may focus on her sense of power and authority. Regardless of the artist's approach, the drawing serves as a visual representation of the witch's malevolence and her role as a primary antagonist. Furthermore, the drawing of the wicked witch of the west often appears in illustrations and artwork associated with "The Wizard of Oz," the iconic tale in which she plays a central role. Her pursuit of Dorothy and her friends, and her desire for the magical Ruby Slippers, are key plot points in the story. The drawing serves as a reminder of her iconic status as a villain and the fear she instills in the hearts of both characters and readers alike. In conclusion, the wicked witch of the west drawing captures the essence of one of literature and film's most iconic and feared characters. With her green skin, pointed hat, and broomstick, she has become a symbol of evil and mischief. Artists bring their own unique interpretations to the drawing, showcasing different aspects of the witch's character. Regardless of the artist's approach, the drawing serves as a visual representation of the witch's malevolence and her role as a primary antagonist in "The Wizard of Oz.".

Reviews for "The Many Faces of the Wicked Witch: A Collection of Captivating Drawings"

1. Jane - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the "Wicked witch of the west drawing." It looked nothing like the iconic character from The Wizard of Oz. The witch's face was unrecognizable, and the proportions seemed completely off. The colors were also dull and lacked the vibrancy that I was expecting. Overall, the drawing was a letdown and did not capture the essence of the wicked witch at all.
2. Mike - 2 stars
I was not impressed with the "Wicked witch of the west drawing." The artist seemed to have taken a very abstract approach to the design, resulting in a confusing and unappealing image. The lines were messy and lacked precision, making it difficult to discern the details of the witch. Additionally, the choice of colors was odd and didn't create a visually appealing composition. I would not recommend this drawing to fans of the wicked witch or anyone looking for a visually pleasing piece of art.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
The "Wicked witch of the west drawing" didn't meet my expectations. I was hoping for a striking and menacing portrayal of the iconic character, but instead, I got a rather simplistic and uninspiring sketch. The artist seemed to have rushed through the drawing, resulting in a lack of attention to detail. The witch's facial expression was bland, and the overall composition lacked depth and dimension. It's definitely not a drawing that I would display or recommend to others.
4. Alex - 3 stars
While I didn't hate the "Wicked witch of the west drawing," it certainly left much to be desired. The artist took a minimalistic approach, but the result was a lack of intricacy and detail. The witch's features were simplified to the point where it was barely recognizable. The choice of colors, while interesting, didn't fully capture the menacing aura associated with the character. Overall, it felt like a rushed and incomplete piece of art.
5. Emily - 2 stars
The "Wicked witch of the west drawing" was a disappointment. The artist's interpretation of the character completely missed the mark. The proportions were off, particularly the long nose and pointy chin, making the witch look more comical than wicked. The colors used were too bright and cheerful, lacking the dark and sinister vibe that is usually associated with the character. It was a letdown for fans of The Wizard of Oz and anyone expecting a more accurate and menacing representation of the wicked witch.

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