Ponythread Learns to Draw II

[DigoDragon]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - MyPaint has an awesome brush engine. ^_^

Seriously. I should look into that.

And this is one of the guys whom I haven't been drawing for quite a while now. Came out much better than the last attempt, a year ago. :P

OC or is he from somewhere? Wing Commander maybe?

Some strange artifacting when it was cropped and re-sized, it messed with some of the layers.

It took me a moment to see it, but I found it looking at the edges. It's not too bad though. I like the background how it blurs in the distance.

[goto124]

Wow... it really looks like a photograph! Great job with the colors!

[Derjuin]

Hey again, ponythread!

Been working on a ponification project, and also a character vector for an RP.

Unfortunately, the project isn't going so hot - some of the characters are quite difficult to turn into ponies. Like, what kind of mane or tail does a bald skeleton-guy turned into a pony even have??

Anywho! Since there isn't much for mermare/seapony references, I kinda had to improvise and work outside the normal pony toolbox.

Spoiler: Behold the result?

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[DigoDragon]

Like, what kind of mane or tail does a bald skeleton-guy turned into a pony even have??

If they're bald, having no mane is a perfectly reasonable ponification decision. We do have evidence of this now with a Charlie Brown pony. :3

Anywho! Since there isn't much for mermare/seapony references, I kinda had to improvise and work outside the normal pony toolbox.
[Behold the result?]

*BEHOLDS!*

Yesssss, I love the tail. That sort of... how do I want to describe it? It's like the end of a silk curtain? Very flowy like one of those exotic fish types. Like a Beta? Okay, I suck at fish description, but the design it nice with the thin snout and tail. 10 points for Gryffindor.

[goto124]

That's a rather impressive MLP seahorse... I mean seamare.

Also, Google says it's spelled Betta, and it's also known as the Siamese fighting fish. It looks like this, though it comes in different colors. I chose this one because it's light blue, like the seamare.

Like, what kind of mane or tail does a bald skeleton-guy turned into a pony even have??

Turns into a skeleton pony!

We do have evidence of this now with a Charlie Brown pony. :3

[DigoDragon]

Also, Google says it's spelled Betta, and it's also known as the Siamese fighting fish. It looks like this, though it comes in different colors. I chose this one because it's light blue, like the seamare.

What Goto said. ^

Because my knowledge of fish extends to about as far as baking one at 375F for 25 minutes (in lemon juice and BBQ sauce).

Those writers know how to tease.

[Sean Mirrsen]

OC or is he from somewhere? Wing Commander maybe?

No, no relation to Kilrathi. There are fairly few features that'd distinguish the Mii'Ari from any other "cat-people" visually, but they are my own design, and most of the differences are on the inside, so to speak.


Sketched one of the characters I have right now in Card Hunter. This was the only reasonable way I could think of for him to wield two rapiers and a dagger (formerly three rapiers) simultaneously, and still have a dedicated shield arm.

Spoiler: Dwarf

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[Madcrafter]

Sketched one of the characters I have right now in Card Hunter. This was the only reasonable way I could think of for him to wield two rapiers and a dagger (formerly three rapiers) simultaneously, and still have a dedicated shield arm.

Duct tape!

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Day 795-7:

The vampire hunter, he'll get you!/Stake goes in the heart, then you're through!

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Day 798-803:

And then I slept with my arm real bent and gave myself a bad case of ulnar tunnel. Took it easy with some lazy sketches while waiting to be able to use my wrist again.

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Day 804-7:

Maybe if I copy good artists enough, I'll get better eh? Still can't do hair though.

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[DigoDragon]

Maybe if I copy good artists enough, I'll get better eh? Still can't do hair though.

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Perhaps what would help is showing more 'roots' with the hair. Show where it's connected to the scalp.
The rest of it is really good though.

[Madcrafter]

Perhaps what would help is showing more 'roots' with the hair. Show where it's connected to the scalp.
The rest of it is really good though.

It's like that in the original, kind of folded over like so you can't see the base. There is another one he did in the same style though that has the roots completely exposed, maybe I should try copying that one.

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Day 808-12:

And this children, is why you always make sure to flip your canvase while you're working on the picture. Face is so distorted I don't even.

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[DigoDragon]

And this children, is why you always make sure to flip your canvase while you're working on the picture. Face is so distorted I don't even.

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Twilight phone home?

Seems like her head tapers too quickly at the bottom, to where her cheeks are gone. The hair came out great though.

[Derjuin]

Hey PLTD!

I bring you another horror dredged up from my inkscapesweatshop.

Spoiler: Project Ponytale: COMPLETE

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HEUGH. That took a while and a lot of determination to finish.

Now, on to Meto's pony portraits...! After sleep...

[DigoDragon]

Hey PLTD!

I bring you another horror dredged up from my inkscapesweatshop.

Spoiler: Project Ponytale: COMPLETE

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I think I already mentioned that I liked it on your DA. I think it works.

[DigoDragon]

Work in Progress. Digital inking is a pain, and I think it's because I need a real desk to do my work. Not the shoddy dining table I'm using.

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[Madcrafter]

My, I've been neglecting my uploading. It's been an awfully busy many weeks.

Work in Progress. Digital inking is a pain, and I think it's because I need a real desk to do my work. Not the shoddy dining table I'm using.

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Ever finish this one?

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Days 813-5, 16, 17, 18-9, 20:

Playing with brushes.

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Day 821-8:

And then Fallout came out. This was originally going to be a raider, but I never got around to raiderifying it.

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Day 829-30, 33-4:

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Days 831-2, 35-6:

Robot designs for a project.

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The final CAD rendering:

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Day 837:

More cool stuff with brushes.

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Day 838-43:

Copy of a random picture I found.

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Day 844-5:

AJ.

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Day 846-50:

I think the moon actually came out pretty great. Tried to do some watery reflections at the bottom (tears) but didn't manage to get it to work.

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Day 851-5:

This is another one of those, "eh, did a crappy sketch, let's see if we can salvage it with some shading and colour", combined with no references and flux screwing with the colour.

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[DigoDragon]

Ever finish this one?

In fact, yes I did! :D

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Playing with brushes.

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Ooooh, this is pretty neat. Like a magic tattoo.
Ad there are fingernails!

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This looks familiar. Is this based on something?

And then Fallout came out. This was originally going to be a raider, but I never got around to raiderifying it.

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I like the light direction. Rare to see uplighting like that. Nicely done on it. Makes the large eyes more intimidating I think.
Plan on still doing a raider?

The final CAD rendering:

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Pretty good result! Feels like it's a kitchen kind of robot. Maybe a chef of the future?

More cool stuff with brushes.

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Reminds me of Megaton from Fallout 3.

I think the moon actually came out pretty great. Tried to do some watery reflections at the bottom (tears) but didn't manage to get it to work. [SPOILER]

The moon is good yeah. Watery tears... hmmm, sounds hard yeah. I don't think I've attempted it. Maybe we could practice together?

[Madcrafter]

In fact, yes I did! :D][/SPOILER]

Nice! That knife grip in the upper left is very suspect though, looks like Zeeps(?) is about to stab themselves in the arm.

Ooooh, this is pretty neat. Like a magic tattoo.
Ad there are fingernails!

That was the idea, though I don't remember which piece of media inspired it at the time. What's so special about fingernails though? Do magic tattoo people usually not have them?

This looks familiar. Is this based on something?

Um, no...

I like the light direction. Rare to see uplighting like that. Nicely done on it. Makes the large eyes more intimidating I think.
Plan on still doing a raider?

I guess I could, if I remember tomorrow when I start a new piece.

Pretty good result! Feels like it's a kitchen kind of robot. Maybe a chef of the future?

One of its functions was cooking so yes.

Reminds me of Megaton from Fallout 3.

I was thinking of a ruined Rapture from Bioshock, but I can see it. After the bomb goes off I guess, though I didn't do that when I played FO3.

The moon is good yeah. Watery tears... hmmm, sounds hard yeah. I don't think I've attempted it. Maybe we could practice together?

I doubt it's something worth practising. Crying first person views aren't going to come up very often I'd imagine. What do you mean by practising together anyways?

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Day 856-60:

Rarity in a box. Trying a different oil style. Kind of annoying to paint with, but it does look more like an oil painting.

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[DigoDragon]

Nice! That knife grip in the upper left is very suspect though, looks like Zeeps(?) is about to stab themselves in the arm.

Yeah, need to redraw that grip. Hooves are weird.

What's so special about fingernails though? Do magic tattoo people usually not have them?

More in general, I often don't see time taken to draw/color the fingernails on hands.

What do you mean by practising together anyways?

Oh, just like, we both draw and compare works. Nothing complicated.

Rarity in a box. Trying a different oil style. Kind of annoying to paint with, but it does look more like an oil painting.

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A bit oil-y yeah. Tail could use more structure. Horn poking out of the box is neat.

[Madcrafter]

Pah, not much done this holiday season. Only got one thing checked off my to do list, and it didn't feel much like a vacation. Progress on pictures was slow, only two for the whole couple weeks. I think this next while I should try and do more single day fundamental things, but we'll see how that plan turns out.

Did manage to finally see Star Wars though (what, like 12 hours before I fly back), so there is that.

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Days 861-78:

They kind of blend between each other day-wise, so I'll just put them together. First up is the promised raider. Fallout 4 really loves it's heavy directional floodlights. Also, those sack hoods make even less sense on ponies.

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And and unfinished clone trooper helmet, because Star Wars.

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[DigoDragon]

First up is the promised raider. Fallout 4 really loves it's heavy directional floodlights. Also, those sack hoods make even less sense on ponies.

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Mmm, I totally dig that stark bright flood light. The sack hood does look kinda funny on a pony. Maybe if there was something else for the muzzle... gas mask maybe?

[Madcrafter]

Day 879:

A bad sketch day.

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Day 880-2:

Wine. I think I was trying a different brush out here, but I honestly don't remember which one, which I guess tells you what I thought of it.

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Day 883:

The beginnings of a column, also with that brush. Then I promptly forgot about this.

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Day 884-8:

Because I decided I should practice my landscapes a little more. I tend to do a lot of individual people/objects, and I've always been weak in the landscape department, so I figured I should work on that. The Jungle of Bones from The Sundered Land. Going with a field of bones for the first one is probably not the easiest, but luckily it was zoomed out enough that I didn't have to get into individual detailing on the small ones (because last time I tried that, a little over a year ago, it was not easy or quick). Probably too yellow, but colour is hard.

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Day 889-93:

Inspired by a youtube video of a movie clip. Paradox Interactive has it right, Sabaton is the best EUIV music. Unfortunately I got really tired of doing the fields and trees, so this one didn't get beyond flats.

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Day 894-8:

And of course, the other great landscape of our planet, arguably the greater one. Also abandoned partway though, but I focused on the left side so it looks more complete, can kind of see it like a progression. I feel like this one would be easy enough to finish, but it would just be some extra hours of drudgery. Which may be exactly what I need, but eh.

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[DigoDragon]

A bad sketch day.

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My first thought was this is an attempt at drawing Garrus from Mass Effect.

Because I decided I should practice my landscapes a little more. I tend to do a lot of individual people/objects, and I've always been weak in the landscape department, so I figured I should work on that. The Jungle of Bones from The Sundered Land. Going with a field of bones for the first one is probably not the easiest, but luckily it was zoomed out enough that I didn't have to get into individual detailing on the small ones (because last time I tried that, a little over a year ago, it was not easy or quick). Probably too yellow, but colour is hard.

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This is nice. You got good perspective here. Maybe a bit too yellow, but the course texture look under the rubs is still decent.

And of course, the other great landscape of our planet, arguably the greater one. Also abandoned partway though, but I focused on the left side so it looks more complete, can kind of see it like a progression. I feel like this one would be easy enough to finish, but it would just be some extra hours of drudgery. Which may be exactly what I need, but eh.

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This one has potential. I like the way you started the waves. A shame it was abandoned, I could see this one finishing strong.

[Madcrafter]

*Googles Garrus* uhhh, really? *shrug*

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Days 899-904, 905-8:

Oh man, I suck at these soooo bad. My painting mindset is not set up for this kind of image. I'm kind of glad I figured that out now though, considering I think a lot of the techniques might be applicable elsewhere.

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Day 909-10:

In light of the above embarrassments, it's time to go... abstract. Moving to simple shapes might help me get into the right paradigm. Maybe. Hopefully.

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[DigoDragon]

*Googles Garrus* uhhh, really? *shrug*

I don't know. Maybe my imagination is low on battery.

Oh man, I suck at these soooo bad.

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*Looks at the landscapes*

*Looks at Madcrafter's statement*

*Looks at landscapes again*

...okay I gotta disagree. There's some nice execution here. Especially that first one with the faded far away mountains. That looks decent at minimum. I like them.

[Artman77]

Day 838-43:

Copy of a random picture I found. *picture of asian-looking girl*

"copy" or trace? Cuz dang, that's pretty good.

Also, your landscapes are pretty good too. I encourage you to do more. All people/ponies/subjects need backgrounds to go in front of. A few good paintings can go a long way.

[Madcrafter]

...okay I gotta disagree. There's some nice execution here. Especially that first one with the faded far away mountains. That looks decent at minimum. I like them.

You're only seeing the (quite compressed) end results though. These, especially the first one, were the only things I've done in recent memory where I was actually cringing at how things looked because no matter what I was trying, I just couldn't fix them. Also colour, which is why you get oddities like those purple bush/tree things.

Distance fading does seem to be one area where I actually get it though. It's the closer in details that are tough.

Day 838-43:

Copy of a random picture I found. *picture of asian-looking girl*

"copy" or trace? Cuz dang, that's pretty good.

Also, your landscapes are pretty good too. I encourage you to do more. All people/ponies/subjects need backgrounds to go in front of. A few good paintings can go a long way.

Thanks. It is a copy (as in, I pasted the image into my program and did my own on the canvas next to it), my head is less tilted, and nose/mouth/eyebrow are in somewhat different locations because it was just freehand sketched. I did eyedropper some of the colours though which may be why it stands out, most of the time everything is done without me turning of f.lux first so it's severely colour-shifted.

After some history diving, I found the original here.

Oh man, that detail on the backgrounds is amazing. It must have taken forever. I honestly never thought about the fact that they couldn't really greenscreen/build such huge sets, so it kind of blows my mind that those are paintings. Setting up the shots/editing must have been hard too, would've taken a lot of planning.

[Madcrafter]

Day 911-4:

More landscape, oil brush edition.

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[DigoDragon]

Day 911-4:
More landscape, oil brush edition.

This is nice. Serene landscape with bright, sharp colors to give that illusion of a high mid-day sun.

[Madcrafter]

This is nice. Serene landscape with bright, sharp colors to give that illusion of a high mid-day sun.

The main reason I like using photographs like the basis for that one is that otherwise my pictures end up lacking in the colour department. I haven't left the city in forever and forget that nature can be bright (see second picture below). Being the middle of winter right now probably doesn't help either.

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Day 915-6:

Mountain time. Silhouettes in this edition.

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Day 917-26:

And not silhouette mountains. Can you tell that this one didn't really have reference? Also probably should have gotten rid of the ugly framing trees, but I didn't plan out the composition particularly well in advance.

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[goto124]

With the snowy forest, I can pretend I'm a bear!