Blique

@: No problem! I haven't started on your request yet, so you're free to change it to anything you want. @: The contest challenge thing I mentioned is up! Click the link below and see if you're interested or not. For everyone reading this...Here's your chance at a free commission! I'm hosting a Freerice Challenge, and winners get free art! This applies to everyone, even if I've already drawn art for you in the past, or will be drawing art for you soon! Click the link below to read the details. http://mlpforums.com/topic/79999-freerice-challenge-free-commissions-for-winners/ Meanwhile, I'll try to get the remaining requests for this thread done by Christmas.

The challenge is over! Sorry, no round two - maybe sometime in the future. Hello~ I wanted to give out free art for the holidays, and thought it would be nice to do some more widespread help in the process. For those who don't know, Freerice is a simple quiz site that donates rice to the United Nations World Food Program for every answer you get right. They pay for it with their ad revenue, so it's no cost to you. They offer many quiz subjects, from Famous Quotations, to World Flags, to Latin and French! For this challenge, everyone interested will make an account and join a specific group on Freerice, and I'll monitor the score counts for each person. The person with the highest score after one week will be deemed the winner, and will receive a free digital art commission from me. If there are a lot of people, 2nd and 3rd place winners will get commissions too. In addition, the higher your score, the higher the quality of your commission! The schedule: 12/1 - 12/7: gathering players 12/8 - 12/14: the games begin! 12/25: prizes are awarded The challenge has ended! Amazing work, everyone! 1. The Pulse - 70,000 grains 2. Kolth - 25,660 grains 3. Rough Pathway - 20,560 grains 4. Shaymin - 10,380 grains 5. Blazing Hoof - 5,350 grains 6. websterhamster - 4,490 grains 7. Esjaybee - 3,550 grains 8. Troblems - 2,260 grains 9. repsol rave - 1,100 grains 10. Chigens - 900 grains Freerice group page: http://freerice.com/content-group/mlp-freerice-challenge

I don't know your technique for drawing ponies, so I don't know how to help. What tool(s) do you use? For now, I'll assume you use the paths tool, and will wait for any corrections to that assumption. If you have pixelated lines when using the paths tool, it's likely a problem with your settings. After you click "Stroke Path", make sure anti-aliasing is checked. If you're using a paint tool to stroke the line, make sure the tool settings are at something smooth.

You're welcome! ^^ The style was fun to try out. Done! I'm liking this pony style. Today is Friday, which means my break is almost over! I'll have to spend the next few days doing homework, so it might be a while til I get to the next request. But next up is ! I've been wanting to draw this dragon for a while.

Hi! I recently listened to the How to Win Friends and Influence People audiobook, and I found it to have great advice. And since it's about friendship, I thought, why not ponify it a bit? My goal is to draw a pony illustration for each main point in the book, using a different pony each time. I've already decided on some, but the others I'm still working on and could use some help with. They can be minor characters, but they must all be canon! Extra request: a quote from the show that demonstrates how each character relates to each point! Master list: Still needs ponies: Already used: Mane 6 Spike 3 CMC Luna Celestia Cadence Twilicorn Derpy Trixie Big Macintosh Fancy Pants Spitfire Discord Suggestions (not limited to): Shining Armor Babs Seed Cheerilee Zecora Mane 6 pets Little Strongheart Granny Smith The ones I already matched up are up for debate, so if you think a quote fits somepony else better, do tell! I also want to save the "Be a Leader" section for characters who are leaders in their own way. For example, Cheerilee would fit in there, though I can't decide which quote suits her best. Derpy doesn't have canon quotes that fit, so unless someone knows of a really good quote that's related in some close way, I'll just let the book's quote speak for itself. This is obviously going to be a long project, but I want to get into the habit of drawing constantly. I'll post illustrations as I work on them! I'll also appreciate critiques. Thank you!

It's been a while once again...This time, I've actually been drawing ponies, just forgetting to post updates. Here we go!

No problem, I appreciate your interest. Done with @lighting flash's request! Thanksgiving break just started! I haven't had this much free time since this thread began. Gonna draw and draw~ is next!

Glad to make you happy. ^^ Welcome, and thanks! This request thread isn't, but there are two other options: you can commission high quality art here, or you can wait for a contest I'm planning in which the winners get free commissions. It'll start at the beginning of December, and the prizes will be given by Christmas. I'll link you to it once it gets started. Meanwhile, I'll try and get everyone here done by then...

@@Rainbow Dash Loyalty: Done! I've always wanted to try backlighting. Next is @lighting flash! Hopefully I can stop taking forever on each request.

Scanlations are Japanese/Chinese/Korean comics that have been scanned in, translated by fans, then shared on the internet. I don't mean that you should remove all of the narration, just some of it - anything that might be needlessly restating what the image already tells. When I said "everything", I meant "everything that needs to be expressed in that certain panel". Sorry if I was unclear. There are certain things that only words can express, so, as you say, those words need to stay in there. It's balancing words and art, and deciding which works most effectively - and should thus get more focus - in each panel. Scott McCloud goes over this in his books, saying "The secret of communicating clearly with words is to let words do what words do best, and when a picture is the better solution, to let them get out of the way." So to pick some examples, "It was raining" could be replaced by just a drawing of it raining. "I don't have a job, a girlfriend or a Nobel Prize" would be difficult and extraneous to try and convey through images, so words are the best choice to convey it. What I mean by hook is something that can be simple and quick. For example, the first panel could be just an image of him drawing (intro). Next panel is him looking thoughtful or serious (rising action). Here, the readers get curious about what he's drawing. Next panel is the ponies in his sketchbook (climax). Then the story's exposition starts. It's the structure that four-panel yonkoma strips work on - "ki-shou-ten-ketsu" - literally "introduction-development-twist-conclusion". In my example, the exposition took the place of the "conclusion", creating a slight cliffhanger. The readers then want to keep reading until the conclusion is properly reached.

Are you unfamiliar with manga scanlations, or do you just prefer the books? There's hundreds of manga online - I read most of my manga on http://www.batoto.net/ (and then go out and buy the ones I like). Hmm, Scott Pilgrim...There's not too many manga with a simplified art style like that...The closest I can think of is Q-ko-chan. I think it got canceled though, so it's only two volumes long. The only other simple art styles are from short comedy types like Welcome to the Convenience Store. Plot-wise...I don't know. I need to pick Scott Pilgrim back up again. I keep forgetting to buy the second volume. >.>; Manga Updates is a database that keeps track of all manga scanlations, and manga in general. I live there. 8D I like the character names, especially for the girl. The script looks great overall, though I'm not too fond of the narration at the beginning. Most of it could be removed and let the images explain everything - too much exposition can bore the readers, especially at the very beginning, so it's good to let them figure things out on their own a little and get more attached to the story. Another option is to put something exciting or interesting near the beginning to hook the readers and let them know there's something good coming in a bit. That aside though, looks good.

might make nice working BGM. With exaggerated expressions/reactions, make sure to try an make up your own rather than copying the ones in other comics (the overused ones anyway). You're good about this so far, so the rest of this paragraph is just rambling to keep in mind. One Piece has very funny reaction faces - and by extension, scenes - because they're unusual and unique. By contrast, The Unique Legend (ironically) is cliche in its expressions; by using faces that the audience is used to, it doesn't cause surprise or laughter. But, again, your expressions here are all good; I just wanted to mention it just in case since the topic was at hand. Also, how much manga do you read in general? I want to get a good idea before I accidentally start citing only manga you already know of. ^^; Your proportion sketches are quite nice aesthetically - I particularly like the wide hips on the girl, gives her more form. I like the girl's hairstyle in the bottom right of the last image, though that may just be my tastes. It looks more average and naturally charming as opposed to trendy, stylish hairstyles that "pretty girls" always seem to have. It depends on her personality though - whether she's fashionably pretty, naturally pretty, or "her personality radiates!" pretty. For the guy, I like the drawing in the top left of the first page the most. At this point, I realize I like the most modest-looking designs...

It's been so long! I opened up commissions, by the way. You can get custom digital art, paintings, perler, and scarves here! *gets back to drawing*

Do you want it to be for web or for print? I'm personally trying to get into webcomics as a career; I don't have anything published yet (hoping to make it by the end of 2013!), but I've done a lot of research into the subject. I'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have. Photoshop is great for most everything. I used to use it all the time before I got a new laptop and lost access to it...I use Sai currently, and it's simple and nice, but it has nowhere near as many options as Photoshop has. 300 dpi minimum, as suggested, is best. Comic artists often draw their pages between 125% to 166% of the final size. So if I wanted to print a 5"x7.5" book (the standard size of manga in the US), my canvas size at 166% would be 8.3"x12.45" (2490x3735 px). Do you want to do pages, like a graphic novel, or a series of comic strips? Most plot-based comics are graphic novel style, but it can work as comic strips if the plot is a secondary focus. For example, "Niels" is mostly short strips that don't follow a strict plot, but there's plenty of character development and things happening. Another example is "Axis Powers: Hetalia", which is mostly non-linear comedy, but occasionally has serious, longer subplots. And there's also the Korean webcomics that are growing in popularity, which are just one long strip per chapter. You can also be experimental, like this awesome thing. Books I recommend are Scott McCloud's works, "Understanding Comics", "Reinventing Comics", and "Making Comics". They are all written/drawn as comics. So much easier to read. Understanding Comics is a must-read for anyone; it's wonderful insight into the medium as a whole. Reinventing Comics is largely about the evolution of comics, particularly recently with the internet; it's good to read if you're interested in webcomics, but it also goes into detail regarding the marketing system in the comics industry. Making Comics is about skills - from character design to drawing expressions to typesetting - and technical stuff like pen choice and dpi. I'm also a manga enthusiast of the highest order, so if there's a certain style, type, or genre you'd be interested in seeing as reference, just say the word and I'm more than glad to share some titles. I'll definitely be back to critique your stuff when you post it!

Glad you like it. ^^ Thanks! Also, I tweaked some colors a bit and edited my post. I always get nitpicky right after posting drawings. You're the first one to respond so fast.

Whew, finally got time to finish it! Thank you for your patience. I rather like how this style turned out. Next is @Rainbow Dash Loyalty! A note to everyone: since it's been a while, definitely feel free to change your requests if you so desire. ^^; Tell me and I shall carry out.

But unless Outkin's only goal for this OC is to have him star in white-background pictures, I don't see how it makes sense to tell him to change his OC's design just because it doesn't look good in this single instance.

I looove your first one. Not many people do pastel color schemes, and I love pastels. The only problem is that the grey in the cutie mark is hard to see, so I'd either lighten or darken the grey. I don't understand why people think the color scheme is too light. Just look at Fleur Dis Les: I'm not fond of the second version...Possibly because the coat is so desaturated compared to the mane colors that they look like separate objects rather than a unified design. Ultimately, it depends on your OC's personality. For example, Fleur Dis Les can get away with a light color scheme because it emphasizes her graceful personality. If your OC has a calm or gentle nature, pastel is great. If he's more action-oriented, darker colors might work better.

I don't see a problem with the commercial. All I see is Buzz meeting someone new and unusual, and going along with his flow for fun. Just mentally replace Nelly with a little girl dressing Buzz up in a frilly dress. It's the same attitude - Nelly sees an end goal, and is determined in his own way to make Buzz look awesome. I don't think he's saying "Your casual wear is ugly", more like "You seem like you'd like swag. Let's try giving you a makeover!" And naturally, his casual wear would have to go in the process of a makeover. Wouldn't this scene depict the same thing? If anything, it's worse - while Buzz seems excited about the new look, Twilight is clearly uninterested and distressed, to the point of running away as soon as Rarity's back is turned. I really only see the commercial as Buzz meeting someone new and different, and being open-minded and accepting of his interests. Nelly appears forceful in this regard, but like Rarity, he probably has good intuition for a certain style, and sharing that style with a new friend is an act of good will on his part. Isn't this dislike stemming more from an "I hate 'swag'" perspective? There wouldn't be such backlash if he got a makeover in some other style.

Your proportions are rather good. Even now, I have trouble getting the shoulders in proportion to the head. You could use more fluidity and "naturalness" in your drawings - for this, I recommend doing very loose gestural drawings from real life people. They should only be a couple minutes tops, ten seconds minimum. The focus is to get an "essence" impression of what you're drawing, before you start adding any details. Though real life people are best, this site is very good for gesture drawing: http://artists.pixelovely.com/practice-tools/figure-drawing/ You don't need to do shading and stuff - the main thing is just getting the flow of the figure. Don't care about how it looks - all that matters is that you're practicing!

@ Sure, no problem. What do you mean by better color though? I don't mind experimenting with colors, but to what extent is fine with you?