Witches of the Forest
"Witches of the Forest" is an illustrated children's book influenced by my research on the transformation of witches from symbols of evil to modern-day heroes. It tells the story of two children who enter a forest inhabited by witches in search of their lost sister and discover that witches are not the frightening monsters they imagined.
Overview & Design Rationale
The project commenced with research into historical witch events, notable witches, and the evolution of the fictional witch character in media. I observed a shift where modern stories often portray witches as empowering and heroic figures, which inspired my thesis. To convey this theme, I crafted a whimsical narrative through both writing and illustrations designed for children.
All illustrations were created using an iPad Pro and the Procreate app. I selected a playful colour palette of purples, pinks, and blues for consistency. Additionally, I adopted a cartoonish art style to engage my young audience. The typeface I chose strikes a balance—sophisticated yet approachable, featuring rounded details that add a friendly touch.
Debunking Misconceptions
The story addresses three common fears about witches. First is darkness, as witches are often believed to dwell in forests and possess grim traits. This fear is dispelled when the witch turns out to be friendly and showcases her sparkling wand. Second is the image of sinister rituals centred around a fire. The children discover that the friendly witches are having a party, with no harm occurring. Lastly, there's the myth of witches cooking and eating children. They soon learn the witch is merely keeping their sister safe until they return.
Final Book
Read the full story below! Enjoy!
