Ponythread Learns to Draw II

[SiuiS]

Heh.
I've been sketching – I've got a quote strong visual flow for Marchande I need to get done with – but it's slow going getting my skills back up to snuff for it. I'll be around. Just, lightly.

[Derjuin]

Hi everypony! I forget if I posted in the first learn to draw thread, but I am back/here for the first time with some MLP stuff that I actually feel pretty good about (a first!). While writing a FiM fanfiction piece, I decided I wanted to give drawing the antagonists a try (since they're really the only non-canon characters involved). Though, almost all of the ponies I've drawn before were in profile/to the side and I wanted to break out of that, so this was a bit of an experiment!

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The second feels somewhat flat to me, but then its body is supposed to be like a symbol/one of those crazy-shaped angels, rather than a creature that has things like organs and bones.

[Thanqol]

Hi everypony! I forget if I posted in the first learn to draw thread, but I am back/here for the first time with some MLP stuff that I actually feel pretty good about (a first!). While writing a FiM fanfiction piece, I decided I wanted to give drawing the antagonists a try (since they're really the only non-canon characters involved). Though, almost all of the ponies I've drawn before were in profile/to the side and I wanted to break out of that, so this was a bit of an experiment!

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Bigger thighs! Bigger butts! Longer legs! I do like the design though.

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The second feels somewhat flat to me, but then its body is supposed to be like a symbol/one of those crazy-shaped angels, rather than a creature that has things like organs and bones.

I feel like Celly and Luna's jowls are drooping? Also Celly's hair actually has star-sparkles in it like Luna's.

[Derjuin]

Bigger thighs! Bigger butts! Longer legs! I do like the design though.

I am horrible with leg length, as they either look way too short and fat, or way too long and lanky. Even if I try to draw by hand, or measure or take directly from a pose, it still ends up like that. Weird I'm sure it'll get better as I draw more, though.

I feel like Celly and Luna's jowls are drooping? Also Celly's hair actually has star-sparkles in it like Luna's.

I'm feeling that too, after doing more referencing. Also, how did I never notice both princesses' manes sparkle? *applies sparkle speckles* Totes fabu!

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[Thanqol]

I am horrible with leg length, as they either look way too short and fat, or way too long and lanky. Even if I try to draw by hand, or measure or take directly from a pose, it still ends up like that. Weird I'm sure it'll get better as I draw more, though.

R.E. Horse butts.

I think this guy draws amazingly curvy ponies. He's totally worth studying, even if just to get an idea of how to add a bit of bulk to your horse shapes.

I'm feeling that too, after doing more referencing. Also, how did I never notice both princesses' manes sparkle? *applies sparkle speckles* Totes fabu!

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what is a princess?

a miserable pile of sparkles

[Madcrafter]

Aie aie aie, been a long time since I uploaded, why below.

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Days 363-4, 392-3:

Celestia and a burning city. Far from complete.

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Day 365:

Hah another year one. P&P, ye olde mannequin. Drawn completely without reference, as it lives in a room in Germany that is no longer my own. Also pictured: a pony, half complete before I got interrupted.

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Day 366:

Some misc fixes to the avatar. I like those things, since they're so small all the mistakes just disappear like magic.

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Days 367-91:

Now see, this is where I've been. I had intended this to be about a week and a half project, and really, looking back, it probably should have been stopped at the sketch stage. Regardless, I found the scene in question rather inspiring (it's all the music link's fault), and figured the best way to do it would be in comic form. Never having really done anything comic-y before. Started off accidentally making a completely boneheaded decision and getting myself stuck in the morass that is the crowd scene. Persevered anyways, which is the main reason it took so long, and why there is really nothing in the way of shading (at least I remembered to crystallize Blue). The drawing came out ok, and I like the enclave armour (though White Noise is a bit masculine with the flatter nose IMO), but the text is kind of sh*t looking. Also kind of mixed style on the second page. It honestly did not occur to me to even look at another comic for reference until day 390, which in hindsight is pretty clear I should have, but oh well. Also, gave the ponies an arena, because no self respecting former raider town should be without a Thunderdome.

Spoiler: The Champion p1

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Spoiler: The Champion p2

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We now resume our usual schedule hopefully...

[Thanqol]

Highway To The Danger Zone is one of the greatest things invented by humans.

[Madcrafter]

Well, at least someone likes it (the comic I mean).

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Days 394-7:

Meanwhile, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

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[Tiki Snakes]

I drew several sketchy little things in recent weeks that I am semi proud of.
But you can't have them, drawthread.

However, my brain insisted this was done before I was allowed to sleep, so what you can have is a super sketchy picture of a pudgy pony.

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I'm not proud, but don't say I never contribute.
EDIT - As no-one has posted since, have another Chubbicorn.

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My meager offerings are now half as meagre, roughly speaking. That's the same as progress!

[Derjuin]

I drew several sketchy little things in recent weeks that I am semi proud of.
But you can't have them, drawthread.

However, my brain insisted this was done before I was allowed to sleep, so what you can have is a super sketchy picture of a pudgy pony.
<snip>

I'm not proud, but don't say I never contribute.
EDIT - As no-one has posted since, have another Chubbicorn.
<snippity>
My meager offerings are now half as meagre, roughly speaking. That's the same as progress!

Are those smiley faces in her(his?) eyes?

Cute!

Trying to get back into writing my fanfic, since I haven't made any progress on it at all ever since I took it down to edit it... so I started messing around with and fixing up the cover image, as I wasn't happy with it, either. Hopefully doing something involving it will kick me back into I-swear-I-can-write mode...

Spoiler: Cover Image, a bit big

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It's based on this (as the fic is also based on the game from which that piece is from, Shin Megami Tensei IV).

It's also my first time drawing canon characters. Rarity's mane and tail took the longest (I hope I got them right ), though I keep loading the file up again and tweaking some things (like nostril size and horn position). I think it's on iteration "like 15 or something" now.

[Madcrafter]

I drew several sketchy little things in recent weeks that I am semi proud of.
But you can't have them, drawthread.

But why not? I'd like to see.

However, my brain insisted this was done before I was allowed to sleep, so what you can have is a super sketchy picture of a pudgy pony.

Spoiler: Chubbicorn

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I'm not proud, but don't say I never contribute.
EDIT - As no-one has posted since, have another Chubbicorn.

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My meager offerings are now half as meagre, roughly speaking. That's the same as progress!

Your contribution is welcome. The second one is obviously not impressed that no one posted so it had to be edited in.

Trying to get back into writing my fanfic, since I haven't made any progress on it at all ever since I took it down to edit it... so I started messing around with and fixing up the cover image, as I wasn't happy with it, either. Hopefully doing something involving it will kick me back into I-swear-I-can-write mode...

Spoiler: Cover Image, a bit big

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It's based on this (as the fic is also based on the game from which that piece is from, Shin Megami Tensei IV).

It's also my first time drawing canon characters. Rarity's mane and tail took the longest (I hope I got them right ), though I keep loading the file up again and tweaking some things (like nostril size and horn position). I think it's on iteration "like 15 or something" now.

Well, my first impression is that it is busy. There's an awful lot going on there. If you look at the source image, there is one guy who is very obviously the focus we are supposed to look at, everyone else looks like an image in the background. That is not the case here; I can't see anywhere my eyes are supposed to rest. It's also impossible to tell what exactly the story is about: Cadance is a ghost, the crystal heart is breaking slowly, but Rarity isn't concerned. AJ is cold. There's a bunch of strange OCs in the background (the lower left of whom is a seapony?!?), and for some reason two random chunks of stone (corrupted crystals?) framing at the front. What is important here? Basically I'd suggest trying to match your source there and differentiating better between what's important here and what isn't, or changing it up a bit and simplifying.

Other than that, you can probably do full circle outlines for the head of those ponies directly facing forward, they don't typically have that gap at the neck. And those at three quarters don't typically have that line coming down from the ear so far. Some of the arms are a little thin looking. I'd say your hair looks pretty good though, the angle on AJ's ponytail I haven't seen before.

Oh, there is part of Luna's neck and hair there I just saw. That's a little strange.

Overall it reminds me a bit of Deadly's II cover image, with the duelling sides.

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Day 398:

Fun with scribbles. A fisherman from the right side of the brain.

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Day 399:

I actually hadn't intended to do this wonderful propagandist pose when I started, but it came out ok. Thumb's a little small.

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Day 400-4:

More Star Wars. This version is turning out strange, with Trixie as Palpatine, Luna as Anakin. Luke probably has to be TS. Celetia can be Obi Wan, Zecora Yoda. Gettin' carried away...

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[Tiki Snakes]

Are those smiley faces in her(his?) eyes?

Cute!

Not intentionally. Cannot unsee.
Also her. I usually make it a point that ponies default to female, actually.

But why not? I'd like to see.

Your contribution is welcome. The second one is obviously not impressed that no one posted so it had to be edited in.

I was 95% asleep already when I posted that, I honestly am only vaguely sure what I was even referring to or why. That's also why the expression on the second. I was so tired that the only expression I could manage also turned out looking exhausted just because.

If I wrack my brains, the pictures that spring to mind that I could have been rambling about are ones I did relating to RP's I'm in. Both already posted elsewhere on the forums.
You have Trees wrestling-inspired persona "Yellow Jacket"

Spoiler: From the Tea Party Apocalypse

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And my super powered mutant cheerleader from 60's San Francisco from a local game

Spoiler: She goes by Moth because she loves Moths.

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[Madcrafter]

Once again I keep putting off uploading too long because it is an annoying process. Maybe I should investigate an automatic system.

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Days 405, 406:

Not much to see here.

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Day 407-8:

Still not much, but I did like how I managed the hand.

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Day 409-10:

A dragon clasp, or bracer or something. Was working to try and get some more 3D effect to the metal. I wanted to get a more complex pattern in there (especially scales for the dragon) but it made it too busy at the scale I was working at.

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Days 411, 412-6:

One of those has image in head, can't translate to paper times. First sketch was completely scrapped (everything is a little off), and I didn't end up finishing the second since it was dragging on.

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Day 417:

A new WIP still at rough sketch stage. Pretty obvious what it is. Ideas for general improvement welcome.

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[Sean Mirrsen]

Maybe you should just investigate Dropbox. Don't even need the app, I use the web interface on this tablet (because lots of stuff to synchronize, smallish HDD).

I wasn't productive at all lately, mostly because the tablet keeps spending time in laptop mode due to work.

Spoiler: Dropship from ER game

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Spoiler: Dropship from ER game after crash

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Spoiler: Interstellar transport from ER game

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Spoiler: And a pair of quick Twilight sketches

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[Madcrafter]

I quite like all four of those, the crashed ship the most.

Dropbox is a great idea actually; I never really considered it, since it was always a backup/storage service in my mind. Seven and a half GB later, I now also have an offsite backup too, so that's rather convenient. Now to see if the linking works...

EDIT: Doesn't look like it actually, hmmm...

EDIT2: Hah, got it working with little hack.

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Day 419:

Testing colour fading, bright light.

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Day 420:

Quick sketch of a dashing person.

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Days 418, 421, 422:

Continuation of sketch from last post. Once I put down flat colours it really stood out that the arms were in a rather unnaturally stiff position, and I almost decided to discard the whole thing. I did end up thinking up a new pose though, just fixed the arms. We'll see if it lasts.

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[Tiki Snakes]

Spoiler: Chubby sketch pony continues to be better than nothing.

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[Madcrafter]

Spoiler: Chubby sketch pony continues to be better than nothing.

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Whoa, what's up with that back leg there?

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Day 422-5:

More continuation on sketch above, but left unfinished. This is where it got to.

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Days 426-7, 429-32:

A lizardfolk hunter of some sort. Painting again. I took pictures a few times throughout since I didn't know when I would stop, so there is a bit of a progression here (well, beginning, right before end, and end, but at least it's some). Top half came out infinitely better than the bottom.

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EDIT: Oh yeah day 428 is a pen and paper of a moose with a moustache I drew on the back of a receipt. I'll get around to uploading it at some point probably, its a pain.

[Tiki Snakes]

It's shoddily drawn? It's a very sketchy sketch, you know?
EDIT - Hidden picture, sleepy thread.

Spoiler: No explanation within

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[Madcrafter]

Dat White Noise duckface. I don't really know what's is going on there.

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Day 433-5:

This was based on the comment in the Deadly's game OOC about ponies fighting sea monsters. Incomplete, because I had another idea and this one wasn't going anywhere fast.

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Day 436-43:

The idea from above, inspired by a picture from one drawfriend or another. Octavia Homura. I think it matches quite well, and the picture came out pretty good. (Yay for actually remembering to use references for once!). Also got the face save one eyebrow perfect on the first sketch pass, made me quite happy. If I do another it will probably be Fluttershy Madoka.

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Day 444-5

Two sketches for these days.

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Day 446:

Had Ponyphonic's Harmony Ascendant on loop. Good drawing music.

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Day 447:

Just a random doodle that turned into AJ and a big dragon (Spike?).

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Wow Dropbox, so much nicer for uploading.

[Tiki Snakes]

Thanqol once ruled, if you recall, that if you ship it then you draw it. There was a time when it felt like there was a potential four way love-polyhedron going on.
So that's what this started out as. The original layout survived and most of the posing, background got simplified because when I first started it I was on an upswing and feeling ambitious whereas I finished this up of an evening so I didn't have it hanging incomplete over my head indefinitely.

Pony's got redrawn from scratch, to the vague poses in the layout, all done in one night. Just kinda blasted it out however. They are of course standing on a precarious outcropping with mountains in the distance if the super sketchy background doesn't pop clearly enough to read. There is active love-polyhedron-ing going on. White Noise is tongue in cheek swagger and duckface, Blue is angry about whatever is actually going on and Trees and Rose stand in much closer proximity. In this version though, Trees stares ahead, distressed but resigned to it, not really paying attention to the whole mess anymore.

White noise's armour turned out pretty okay, considering.

[Sean Mirrsen]

A vanishingly rare specimen of another completed picture of mine:

Spoiler: New Arrival

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The drawing comes with a somewhat lengthy backstory, which may or may not be relevant to the quality of the drawing itself. The pony is Southern Sky, and depicted is a scene, from her perspective, shortly after her death, timeline-swap, and subsequent arrival at (and attempt to flee from, resulting in a fall due to lack of Equestrian magic) the mostly secret research facility called Earthside Labs. The procedure being performed is not immediately harmless, but allows to reverse-engineer the principles of Equestrian magic and reapply them to Earthlike physics, eventually allowing Sky to fly again under her own power.

[Derjuin]

It's been quite a while since I did anything in any kind of traditional media - usually I scare myself away from them, thinking all this digital arting's made what little pencil skillz I had before atrophy. Turns out maybe that's not quite true!

It's just a quick sketch with a plain old (tried & true, etc and so forth) no. 2 pencil on lined paper, but it feels nice to know I've not lost much to time. Behold, off-model Rarity sketch:

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[Madcrafter]

I know I am not nearly as good as I used to be at the PnP, very much out of practice.

Sean Mirrsen, your picture reminds me very much of Deus Ex (the new one).

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Day 448:

A quick sketch on halloween, which was a very busy day full of things not halloween related.

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Day 449:

Another thing.

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Days 450-61

This is when the whole Dark Sun thing started, before any of the cities were detailed. I am having trouble with figuring out what to put to fill the space in the bottom left corner there. I left my notes on since it's not done. Any other suggestions are much appreciated. Overall I'm not really sure I got the colours quite right, but that can be fixed easily later.

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[Madcrafter]

Day 463-77:

Man this one dragged on forever. I wouldn't consider it done, but the ATG gave me a convenient excuse to stop (most noticeably missing is TK glow, could also do with some value changes, among others).

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Days 478-9, 480:

Two entries for the ATG. I like this event, I'm glad they're putting it on twice a year for shorter now.

Spoiler: Pony standing still/posing

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Spoiler: Pony moving/grooving

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[Thanqol]

Oh dang, there was an ATG? That's the problem with only checking EQD on weekends.

[Madcrafter]

Oh dang, there was an ATG? That's the problem with only checking EQD on weekends.

Yup, only 15 days this time, I guess Phoe decided that 30 was a little too long to run. Also, they have prizes this time it looks like, random pony merch.

[Madcrafter]

Day 481:

A wintery Pinkie Pie. This one was done using a weird brush for the hell of it. Need to practice doing hair sometime too.

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[Madcrafter]

Day 482:

Poor parachute pony perilously perched on a pole.

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[Madcrafter]

Day 483:

Pony falling. Just a quick thing today.

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[Madcrafter]

Day 484:

Wanted to do more with this one, especially figuring out lighting things.

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