Cora first art and story concept
I originally drew her for a prompt and I planned to make Witch of the Willow into a webcomic not a book - this was back in 2016 and the idea was a twist on Snow White’s Evil Queen with a genderbent Snow White as the male love interest and the “Fairest of them All”. She had these witchy and Stevie Nicks style robes and most of all — she was a protagonist with black hair which I never saw in Disney princesses growing up, especially love stories (and we still don’t). That was really important to me as a Latina girl.
I wasn’t the biggest Snow White fan tbh but I loved Mary Blair, her artist, and SW really was the only Disney princess until Pocahontas with dark hair.
So this theme of keeping Cora brunette or dark haired stayed even as this first concept died off. As an artist and writer, I think it’s important for readers and viewers of all cultures and ethnicities to be able to see a bit of themselves in the media they consume.
In the end, the twist on Snow White got scrapped. There was an over saturation of media like Maleficent and Disney LA, books like Ursula, etc and this version with the choker moon necklace was more witchy aesthetic than fantasy witch.
Some of the ideas carried through which you’ll see later.
#witchofthewillow #writer #artistoflemon8 #booktok #penandink
The enchanting character of Cora, initially born from a creative prompt, aims to challenge traditional Disney narratives. By reimagining a male Snow White alongside a powerful, dark-haired protagonist, this story offers a fresh perspective on fairy tales. As a Latina artist, the creator emphasizes the need for representation, illustrating that every culture deserves to see itself in beloved stories. The character's design, featuring witchy aesthetics reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, speaks volumes about breaking stereotypes in both the visual and narrative aspects of fantasy genres. While the initial concept of merging Cora with the Snow White mythology evolved, the desire to maintain her unique identity remained paramount. The current trend of reinterpreting classic tales, seen in franchises like Maleficent, showcases a market saturation that led to creative reevaluation. Cora emerged from this decision as a distinct figure, signifying a movement towards deeper, more diverse storytelling. Exploring the backstory of Cora, readers will appreciate how the character embodies strength, individuality, and the desire for cultural representation in a world where traditionally, darker hair tones were underrepresented in princess narratives. This artistic journey not only redefines character archetypes but also encourages audiences to seek diverse voices and stories in the entertainment landscape.
