So an interesting little tidbit about the Scarecrow that I learned researching the character for my Wizard of Odds series: It's figured that he was create by the Munchkins and literally just more or less came to existence when I Dorothy strolls by the cornfield. Unlike the TinMan, the Scarecrow has no back story...he is new born babe.
Of course, like the other characters who travel to Oz, he is in search of something he already possesses. In his case it is knowledge. Ironically it becomes apparent in the books he is the brightest bulb in the bunch. Always coming up with solutions to the various plights that unfold.
When I sat down to approach the Scarecrow as a subject I had two things in mind: first I knew he needed to be stringy and buralapy, and secondly I needed to make him seem professorial. The burlap was easy, but the professorial part was a bit more challenging. And then I started thinking about folks like Einstein and the type of imagery that was evoked by his concept. Chalkboards, diagrams, charts, equations...everything that symbolically represents high learning. Once I came to that conclusion I knew that a chalkboard was an essential back drop.
I did take a bit of artistic liberty with one trait. I added a brain...even though he never gets one in the films or novels. It seemed too perfect as addition to have a removable and interchangeable brain. As for it being blue...it contrasted the earthy tones nicely. I present the His Royal Highness the Scarecrow of Oz (he did in fact rule Oz for a wee bit in the books).
