How do you make a person LOOK evil?

Question: How do you make a person LOOK evil!?

I am planning a story, and I am trying to find a good appearance for the woman who does all the evil work!. My problem is, that I know her brain and mind inside out, but am completely stuck on her appearance!. I know that that's really important, so I just wondered if there's any general advice for appearances!. there's many experienced authors on yahoo so!.!.!.She has to be tallish and she's in good physical health!. I don't want to dress her in black because I think it's stupid that all the 'badies' are always dressed in black!. So anyway, can anyone give me any advice!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I would avoid making her a caricature with an ugly face or features!. That type of writing is okay for fairytales but not for serious writing!.

Personally, I think the more human and ordinary someone is, the more chilling their evil actions are!. Some evil female characters are beautiful, which can work well, because society tends to associate beauty with goodness!. This can provide the juxtaposition of appearance and behaviour that can make your character memorable!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Give her horns and a pointy beard!.

Actually, physical appearance isn't very important!. You want to find one or two specific details that add to her characterization, and only describe those!. The reader will make her look evil themselves because of her actions!.

Eyes, and lips are two good places to indicate that type of thing!. Narrow eyes, thin lips - things like that don't inspire much trust!. Stick to small, important details!. Don't concern yourself with her appearance overall!.

Clothing is also a good way to generalize appearance!. Maybe red stilettos, a crocodile purse, etc!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They usually have quite a sinister looking face: deep wrinkles, oddly shaped nose (pointy/crooked), big pointy eyebrows, maybe a physical feature which distinguishes them (wort, mole, scar), bony face (almost skull-like), beaming eyes that feel as if they can see through people!.

I think I've basically described a witch but they are evil to be honest!. If you really wanted to tone it down just use a few features, or maybe just give them a glint of red flashing through their eyes when they're about to do something devious!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Avoid the cliches and stereotypes of "bad people"!. Her actions and expressions should make her evil!. Personally, if I am reading a book with a stereotyped bad guy it automatically destroys the authors credibility for me!. Hope that helps!. (Of course you can use cliches to create a feeling of humor about your bad guy)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Um!.!.!.you don't!.

It's just as stupid for the baddies to "look evil" as it is for them to wear black!. After all, does she think she is evil!? If so, why doesn't she stop!? Or does she think that she's doing the right thing, but other people see it as evil!?

People don't come with little labels identifying them as good and bad in real life!. Your story will be much better if your characters don't either!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Why not make her beautiful!? Like a femme fatale!? She could wear a long red dress, with long legs and her hair in a bun!.

I also like the idea of having her as a 'normal' person!. Like medium length brown hair, jeans or slacks and sleeveless shirts!. With a warm smile that makes her eyes light up!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think that evil person has some sort of dark aura surrounding her!. There is some sort of negativity that surrounds her!. I think that she should possess a pair of dark eyes and a sour expression on her face!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

so do you know she is bad from the start or what!?

the most important thing is her eyes!.!.!.!.!.!. (what others said)

dress her in deep blue it think that would look cool and gloves i dont know sorry

http://www!.writing!.com/main/view_item/it!.!.!.
(idk this might help!?!?!?)Www@QuestionHome@Com

you dont have to make her look evil!. thats kind of an evil characteristic, no thinks ur evil, unless they now u!.

but, u could always make her eyes red, or one a diffrent color than the otherWww@QuestionHome@Com

fur!. always thought the idea of breaking an animals legs, dumping him/her in boiling water and then skinning him/her fully conscious was pretty disgusting!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Piercing eyes and a nasty smile
Long black hair
wears green dress that trails on the ground and long dangling earringsWww@QuestionHome@Com

Her eyes!.
Describe how it would make a person feel when they look into them!. Don't focus too much on what they physically appear to be!.
I say go with brown eyes, to keep it neutral, or if you really wish, make them seem cat-like and glowy, with tints of yellows and greens!.
Do the eyes see through people!? Do they make people feel uncomfortable!? Do her eyes obeserve objects/situations etc intently as if she were plotting something!?
Show your readers, don't tell them, let them figure out she is evil through her eyes!.

Remember: 'Eyes are the windows to one's soul!.'Www@QuestionHome@Com