Violeta/Wioleta (First Draft)
With this first draft, I did a lot of experimentation with costuming. I wasn't sure yet what kind of style would suit Violeta, so I did a lot of exploration on Pinterest for wardrobe inspiration and drew her in the clothes I thought she would wear as a teen witch.
Scraggle (First Draft)
I initially came up with the idea of Violeta's familiar being able to shape-shift as a way for him to get around on nights when the air isn't clear for flying and for him to sprout human hands if he needed opposable thumbs. After researching Polish folklore, I found out about Latawce - shape-shifting bird demons, which held many similarities with my ideas for Scraggle's powers.
I experimented with a couple different types of bats native to North America along with some generic bat designs for Scraggle and ultimately landed on the Eastern Red Bat.
Great Witch (First Draft)
I wanted to stick close to my initial sketches of the Great Witch as I really liked her silhouette and the contrast between her shadowy devilish face and her traditional folk dress.
Smok (First Draft)
I experimented a lot with different postures and colors and attitudes for Smok, unsure how I wanted him to look and which variations in size, posture, and color would look best next to the menacing Great Witch.
Violeta/Wioleta (Second Draft)
I really liked the sweater + long skirt + messenger bag outfit from the first draft, and so I combined that wardrobe with the braids of the other variations of Violeta.
Scraggle (Second Draft)
I went with the Eastern Red Bat's color palette for Scraggle's final design. I wanted his design and posture to reflect his stubbornness and annoyingness, while still being endearing to the audience. Though he is not a very helpful familiar to Violeta, he's still a lovable and comedic character (who is a bit disgusted by the weird human features he can sprout, even if they are useful).
Great Witch (Second Draft)
After receiving suggestions during class critique for her to have a more harmless-looking façade, I designed a second form for the Great Witch. When she first appears to Violeta, she takes on the innocent appearance of a lamb and the flowers on her apron are in bloom.
When she sheds this façade, her true malevolent form is more shadowy and devilish with long, twisting goat horns. The flowers on her apron are now dead and shriveled with petals falling down to the bottom of the apron.
Smok (Second Draft)
Combining my favorite features from my first variations of Smok, I arrived at this design. I chose to give his an extra set of legs after seeing photos of the Wawel Dragon statue in Kraków, Poland, in which the Wawel Dragon is depicted with 6 legs. I went with a teal color for Smok's scales to give him a more playful look and to have him visually complement the orange colors of Scraggle's fur.
