The big dilemma when It came time to create this character was whether I use the book or the film as inspiration. There are some pretty hefty differences as to how the witch is portrayed...mostly physical. In the film we all remember Margaret Hamilton and her pointy hat, broom, inky black attire and of course the emerald green makeup that makes the Wicked Witch of the West iconic.

So let's take a look at some of the differences between the book and the film.

Her sister's shoes: In the book the shoes that the witch is trying to acquire are not ruby but rather silver.
Hair: in the book the witch had three pig tails. One on each side and one on the top of her head.
Eyepatch: The novel depicted the villainess with an eyepatch...however her good eye was as strong as a telescope.
Clothing: The witch tends wear more patterns and stripes in the book. Especially garments that have imagery with a halloween bent.
The Broom: Remember the Wizard demanding the broomstick of the Wicked Witch in the film. In the book there was no broom...instead she had an umbrella....which makes perfect sense given that if it rains she is doomed (given her water allergy).

Some fairly big differences. So I decided to a bit of mixing and matching.

A few things are so iconic in pop culture that it seemed a bit sacrilegious to stray from the film. I was tempted to do the witch with only the book in mind...but I couldn't resist the lure of the silver screen.

Green Skin: The skin color needed to be green. It just did. Snakey...sickly.

The Broom: Such a powerful element, not only allowing her to travel, but to skywrite "surrender Dorothy". Besides...in the film when the wizard requires the gang to bring back the broom...it becomes an immediate symbol of here wickedness.