Fear not, Vasalisa!

‘Vasalisa set the remnants of the old witch’s supper before her doll, wept bitter tears, and said: “Here dolly, eat, and aid me in my need! Baba Yaga has given me  a hard task to do and threatens to eat me up if I do not do it all. Help me!” The doll answered: “Fear not, Vasalisa! Eat your supper, say your prayers and go to sleep. The morning is wiser than the evening.” ‘

From RUSSIAN FAIRY TALES, translated by Norbert Guterman from the collections of Aleksandr Afanas’ev, of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library, 1945 Pantheon Books.

 

Here is the initial sketch: 

Here is the revised sketch based on your suggestions: I depicted Vasalisa in profile, made the owl and raven both looking toward her, and hid more of Baba Yaga under the blanket. I also worked on the mortar and Pestle a bit, and changed the water jug to a creepy pot made of skin I saw in a book of Russian artifacts. I also looked up regional owls and chose a Siberian Eagle Owl for the owl. And I added the moon for a source of light in Vasalisa’s attic room.