MDLineArt

Ok, biggest bit of feedback I would say is be careful with dark backgrounds since you have so much darker colours in the pony. I do like the orange highlight but I feel like that orange highlight can be used to break up her mane from the background, but as it stands now it's very difficult to see her silhouette, along with the wrench in her hoofs and the gloves. The shape is difficult to see, simply because of it's positioning and background. It seems like you are trying to do an underground ruin backdrop but if you're going to do that, use colder colours instead of just darkening it, as it will help break things up to allow the character to be showcased more. That being said, I do think this is one of the stronger 'dark pallet' ponies I've seen. I enjoy the orange highlight, even if I feel like it could be more pronounced or placed differently to help break things up a bit. It's definitely show-accurate (Though I have to ask if this is a Base design, because it feels like it is), which is a style I struggle with, so congratulations on that. One last thing, I would make the line-art around the orange highlights are darker orange rather than black, because as it stands the orange comes across as a headband rather than her mane, which I don't think is the idea you were going for. Could be wrong on this, but I think it warrants some experimentation

@@Blitz Boom Bashful thread turned away from Giddon, that red winged behemoth with the steel talon. Part of him was screaming inside for him to get out while he could, this was entrapment and he could have just as easily moved on. He could just find some other town to situate, and with his experiences in Ponyville it would be easier this time. He could get to the door, unlock it, and disappear. In that storm of thoughts though, one stayed with him; The thought of leaving Orange Lace and Fire Cracker. It was unacceptable to leave his two only companions, no matter how twisted their relationship was. These two were too important to him. Not just for sustenance, but for more. For the companionship, for the understanding, the patience, their strength. Orange Lace's creativity and gentile nature, and Fire Cracker's 'big brother' feeling. Bashful wished Fire Cracker was here right now, he'd show Giddon the door the hard way. Still, it wasn't time to play that card just yet. Instead, his legs trembled as he opened his mouth with a deep inhale, it would seem like the first time he drawn breath, but it was something more. Love was infectious, it was like a miasma that filled the room, and with that in mind he could only describe it's sweetness as something akin to butterscotch pudding. He didn't know what butterscotch pudding tasted like, but the way Lace would pine over it, he had to assume it was much of the same reaction. And there it was, hidden between that aftertaste of spiced hardship and watered down flavour of sorrow, unpalatable... Who would have guessed Giddon was even capable of registering Love. He certainly didn't display anything of the like since he stepped in. Giddon's words were showing just how small inside he was. Alone, you could taste it, using something to evoke memory rather than the true emotion. He's just a husk, this would barely serve as a sampler platter of sustenance. It was a shame, but more so the spice of Giddon's life became all the more evident. He seemed to think that he was incapable of being understood by a Changeling, especially something so opposite to himself. He was a warrior, a pilar of strength scarred and ragged from adventues. while Bashful Thread was timid, with only bursts of false confidence and wrapped up in his own worries and fear. Still, the insult was paid for. It took a few deep breaths through his mouth before he had what he required. There was something pulling at Giddon's heart, something that held the Remanence of his kindness, even if it was only by a memory or whatever it was he was doing to bring about the state he was in. When Bashful opened his eyes again, finishing the last of the tainted strength he had taken from Giddon, he simply sat down right there on his hind hoofs. He looked around the room as though looking at it with new eyes. The colours of the fabric piles seemed more vibrant, the room seemed more robust, and the light that peered through the window fell towards the flow of dust dancing like faeries. For that moment, he was at complete peace, his heart content with it's new found affection, and taking the moment to enjoy it. He gazed at the object then in the talon of Giddon, and his head tilted to the side. "Just prepared for everything arn't you Giddon. Deal with many other Changelings then? I wouldn't think so. I don't like it, not one bit. It makes it feel like drinking mud, and has the texture of a rattlesnake's hiss in the end. It looks like music and smells like ruin." "Nope, I don't like it one bit." He could taste something artificial in the after-taste. It would be the equivalent of chewing on tinfoil, if he would describe such a thing. Bashful couldn't let that destract him from this moment. It was difficult, even with that remaining fear still gripping at him, but then there was that moment he had earlier, and it's ghost still with him. Pity. "If you are only interested in continuing banter, I don't need much else from you Giddon. You want this little escipade of yours to go smoothly, then we will have to get it done. Then we will be done and I will not see you in this shop again, we're done. That's the cost of you getting out of my life and my business, fine." Bashful Thread stood up, and started to continue his cleaning ritual. At least the shop was turning into something presentable. Now if only he could find out where that little bauble went.....

Wanted to say Thank You all for your responses. I do consider art a competition, way too frequently. It's especially hard on these forums, where show-accurate and heavy pastels are what garner the best response, but that's never been 'me'. I've always enjoyed horror, high contrast, and I know I am not capable of doing very clean lines and beautiful painterly styles. Mine has always been very aggressive, and my art has always shown that. I think I consider that a point of shame, but I am going to try to give the best I can to this forum and it's community. @@MiniKirby123 I think the link you sent was exactly what I was thinking about. It has always been compare and contrast, but in doing so I always realized I never measured up. It seemed like what I do doesn't really have a market, and so putting myself 'out there' has only been in small bursts, and when it inevitably fails (Probably because I struggle to keep going without outside influence), it just makes it worse. I will try to take your message to heart, and I only hope what I do post is received well, and that I am capable of taking the criticisms in a light that allows me to grow rather than retract from my work. Thank you so much for that link. ((((((MiniKirby)))))) @ Hey Veiled. I think I may try exactly that, and make an art-dump/deviant art account, just throw whatever at the wall and hope whatever I do is good enough for myself. I appreciate the response and sharing your own journey. I would consider you very fortunate that you do not have a hyper-critical mind and just enjoy creating as you do. Keep that aspect, and I look forward to seeing how far you will develop with it. @ Thanks for sharing my sentiments. It's worth something to at least know I am not the only one in this situation or who has gone through it. Yes it's obvious, but it's something to think it, another to hear it. I've somewhat broken out of my comfort zone, trying to work with more pastel colours, as I am usually a black-and-white comic-artist for the most part, primarily inspired by works like Sin City, so jumping to MLP is a risk unto itself for me. Also putting work out there also means I gotta start drawing again, which is what is making me self-conscious in the first place. I will take alot of the comments made and try to integrate them, hopefully it will be a worth while experience. @ I couldn't do that on this forum, it tends to get very dark and NSFW Like mentioned to Quartzy, I am trying to break away from my default style, and hopefully learn something new. @@Odyssey Yeah, I am definitely the hardest person on myself, and quite frankly I am my own worst enemy when it comes to creating. I am trying to figure out how to be more kind to myself, and try to draw attention to some of the things that are a good illustration, concept, or just generally something awesome that I dont see too often. It's hard to be conscientiously kind to myself, it's not exactly what I would call a habit (That's more the negative stuff). As mentioned before, my 'natural' art-style isn't exactly what I would call beautiful. I've never worked well in those themes of beauty and cute, as I very much lean towards the macabre (Which has little place on this forum) Wanted to say thanks again to everyone for their kindness, understanding, and help. Figure I'd show you guys the progress I am making on a piece before I make a thread dedicated to WIP. Consider this another thank you, as it wouldn't have made it this far without you all.

Camera One. Unless the lighting changed, it seems like there is more exposure and better lighting for your first photo, where the second one isn't near as lit.

@@Moon Sugar Major Depression is a pain like that. Didn't really know how else to express it, save for this post. Figured I would see if someone else has run into this same problem. It's difficult to push past, and I would value insight if someone could be struggling with the same issues I do in this particular problem.

@@Moon Sugar Appreciate the quick responses MS. I am trying to understand how you change that view though, and quite frankly, I am not sure how you even start doing it

Yeah, but burnouts shouldn't kick in on your third image you've made in a few months time. I started posting my work, but then "it kinda just made me realize how bad I am at it" is the first thought that came across my head. Feel like there is something really wrong, and I don't know what it is.

Hey all, Wanted to post this as I've been trying to get back into drawing. I've found myself starting projects, if only doing some really bad sketches, but time and time again I find myself more and more frustrated with my illustrations. It's not good enough to be worth posting, and it often times feels like I am not getting anything done because I just cant finish the work. It stops being enjoyable and turns into me being hyper-critical of myself, and often times turns into useless criticism. I am often times told I am a good artist, but thoughts often impede that (Not good enough for career or commission), and so I end up in a situation where I actually dont keep on drawing and end up losing losts of time, sometimes years, without me drawing and in doing so I am not improving at all. This situation has culminated with the recent work in trying to build an OC, and what I find is it actually bringing out the worst in me. I want to keep drawing, get better, and hopefully do some work of worth, but this self-deprecating mentality has been near crippling, and trying to push forward in fact brings a further backlash. I know I am not the only one, but it often times feels like I am when I look at the vast array of work I see posted in this forum. It's a lot of comparison and thinking 'Why can't I do this?!' I've never really been the most confident person in my art, and it feels like my work has been just bland and half-hearted, even when I know I couldn't do anymore with a piece, I feel like I should have. Instead, it turns into a mess and the feelings of failing. Just felt the need to get this off my chest, and I appreciate you giving me your time in reading this. -MDLA

@@Flinp Blitz seems pretty open. I'd say give one your focus, develop the others as you go

@@Blitz Boom Bashful Thread looked over his work with Giddon. It took some time before Giddon spoke, and when he laid out his plan for the pony, he couldn't believe what he was being asked. It wasn't Bashful's line of work, and he looked about the shop. He thought long and hard over the plan that Giddon had set, but it wasn't like he could just say No to him. He sighed heavily before speaking. "If that's what you're wanting. Cursed Artifacts... This has bad news writen all over it." Raising an eyebrow, Bashful turned his gaze to the window, and watched as various ponies of Ponyville passed by. "If that's what you need from me, I need to get something from you first." With each step he began walking around the dark red creature, speaking in hushed tones with his tiny voice, what barely qualified as a whisper, as he began to organize his thoughts as he had been organizing the room. "My stay has been taxing, it takes a lot of effort to pass as someone else, a lot of energy for prolonged change. It's been... uncomfortable, and if I am going to go down this road with you, I need to know you are good as your word. A... sampling." Bashful could feel his mouth water at the prospect of what he was about to ask. "Feed Me. Give me something I can feed on, give me something I can use. If you want this done right, then you're going to need to present me with something sweeter than cupcakes. Since you know so much about us Changelings, I am assuming you know of our dietary restrictions?" "I need it. Not just to do what you ask, but to make the journey. You say it's not far, but then again look at the size of you, you'll say you've gone hungry, but you've never really tasted it like I have. I mean, Look At You!" Green flame swirled around him for an instant, and then standing before Giddon was Giddon! Giddon could hear his own voice coming from Bashful Thread, who now was a mirror to Giddon. "This is the body of someone who endures to who gets what they want." A steel talon clenched between the two, as wings unfurled. "Be bigger, be more brash, it doesn't matter who gets hurt or who gets in your way. You want something, you just take it. Who would stop you? You?" Giddon's reflection in Bashful looked back upon him with accusatory glances. He stepped up towards Giddon, and then looked to 'his' steel talon. He looked back at the wares he had just fixed up. Like lightning to his own greymatter, he understood something. Bashful, as Giddon, smiled weakly. "That's the problem though isn't it? You ARE stopping you. Ever time, you lose a bit of yourself. You have made choices that cost you more and more. Sometimes, it's clothes, sometimes, it's a talon... Yeah, I can see it clearly. You are going to take yourself apart piece by piece as you continue." "But the worst part about it, is you do enjoy it. It makes you feel validated. Everything around you is so small, so weak. With these eyes, this beak, these talons and wings and things, everything feels small. And you keep going like it doesn't matter. You lost that a while back. Maybe it was the first thing you sacrificed. The first thing on the Alter of Self." With another flash of green flame, Bashful Thread was once again that tiny awkward tailor that Giddon first met. His look had changed though. It was no longer accusatory, it was no longer hostile. Now, it was something far worse. Pity.

@, @@Blitz Boom OR, maybe you could introduce Veil to Bashful, means it's a small group but puts the two newcomers together so there is some foundation to work with once they get established

@@Blitz Boom The silence was deafening as Bashful got to work, taking a lot longer to place the metal rings in the newly punched leather. It was a delicate task, and with his hooves trying to keep still as he worked, he lost himself in the process. Even when the world seemed to be falling apart, there was always this, worlds of creation with thread and fabric. This made sense. It was difficult for Bashful Thread to concentrate, knowing what Giddon had just scene. Giddon knew what he was, but Bashful had no idea what Giddon was. That kind of ignorance might get him outed a lot earlier, and he would have to give up this life, this little piece of home of his own. The clock continued to tick, the passage of time seemed to take forever, but finally his work was complete. The gashes in the leather re-enforced, the cloth stitched with hidden thread, with extra leather covering up the seam. It wasn't terrible work, definetly functional, though it probably didn't have the flair other tailors would be confident in. "Payments are handled in trade, gems go well depending on the season." Scribbling a figure on a receipt, he slid the paper to Giddon. Walking up to the door, he threw the latch to lock the door. "Alright Giddon, you have my complete and undivided attention... What's the price to make you just go away and forget? And how do I know you're a... a.... Whatever you are, good to his word?" There was definitely a defeated bitterness in Bashful's tone, but what could he do? Bashful began picking up his mess, folding cloth and sorting it by colour and type, some took longer to identify as others, each piece folded neatly and placed among the many many shelves filled with sewing materials. Eventually some of the organization started to declutter the area, and beneath the clutter was organization, pins and needles in well-dressed pin-cushions, filing of cloth and materials with labels, and the shelves themselves were well cleaned and polished. He continued to look at Giddon from time to time, though there was little more he could do save for hear the creature out as he cleaned and organized.

Nope. Actually now you have me nervous, thought it was an OC, but what ya said made me think it's now an unwitting carbon copy. Now I am worried!

@@Silver Stream. To put a point on it, further detail isn't near as important as refinement. I made the mistake to almost make fan-fic level of detail, and it's hard to find that balance between brevity and depth, because many forget that to say detail. However, part of a greatly writen backstory as I see it is elegance. The depth should be apparent, without making it too wordy. But that's usually executed by far more talented writers than I.

@@Silver Stream. Three things that are kind of getting to me. 1) I am a bit proponent of Flaws/Vices, and one thing about Silver Stream is she doesn't feel like any failings she has can lead to real challenging encounters. Don't get me wrong, I love the concept in general, I just feel it can be put over with a clear-cut point of personal failing. It might just be me, but she seems to fly a little too close to Mary Sue territory, and I see the effort to avoid it. I think that can be helped if you expound upon the 'Unbearable Personality', because while you tell us what it is, you don't demonstrate how this is holding your character back and in fact just seems to be stated to be swept under the rug immediately. Again, probably not the impression you wanted to give, just the one I got. 2) [ignore if you are not bringing this one into an RP] One of the things as an RPer I often ask is: Is the background story more interesting than anything you will be doing? If so, why aren't we playing THAT story out? 3) A minor one, but in the background and personality, you were making it a wall of text. This can make it quite a bit more tedious to read. Break it up a bit with paragraphs, it makes things easier to read. Breaking it down a bit into clear chunks will help a bit as a profile. Hope this helps P.S.: Illustration is amazing!

@ Look forward to seeing what you bring to the table

So this is a base image I am working on of Scissor Biter before detailing. Will be doing a full-detail of Scissor Eater and one of Bashful Thread. Thoughts? Worried it may be a little too generic without the eye details

@@Blitz Boom Bashful Thread wiped his eyes, keeping his face hidden from Giddon. He really was trapped, and the worst was trying to find some way to hold it together, while holding his instincts back. It took a moment for Giddon's words to sink in, when Bashful finally sniffled his way through a sentence with that quiet voice of his. "Wha... What do you want?" He moped trying to bring himself to going back to the shelves... He need to get back to work, he needed to stop this nightmare scenario from playing out. Mostly, he just wanted Giddon gone! Let him live his life in relative peace and quiet, Bashful had enough to worry about on his plate. Taking hold of a small box filled with bits of metal, he started to climb the stairs, his eyes still partly watered as he made his way to continue his work. Laying the steel rings he took hold of a pair of pliers, and began to work... All the while his stomach rumbled.

@@Blitz Boom There was that chill that ran down the spine of Bashful Thread, now in his 'native' form of Scissor Biter. He couldn't turn around, not facing the creature. There was something inside that didn't want to let go, and this thing speaking to him was unwelcome down here, in a collection of scrap cloth and stored wares. The metal of Giddon's talon clanged upon the steps and he made his way down to the bottom, his threats escalating things. A swirl of green flame engulfed the changeling, dying off as suddenly as it appeared, and the Tailor Giddon first met was standing on his hoofs looking into the mirror. There was a look of shame across his face, and the pause was enough to let a pin drop be heard. It seemed Bashful Thread was a million miles away, contemplating something which left a sour taste in his mouth. Slowly he turned, approaching the large creature with feathered wings and talons, sharpened beak and sharper eyes. Walking towards the adventurer, he looked over the darkened wings. "Yes.. Yes you could. But, you haven't. You want something, and you're being a bully to get what you wanted." Swallowing his fear, he looked over Giddon. He tried to push his thoughts to the side, the ones that said how stupid he was for letting himself slip. He wasn't suppose to be here! No, it's his fault, he wasn't being careful enough. Now this thing knows! If everyone knew, what would happen to Lace and Cracker?! They would be harbouring a changeling! They might get run out of Ponyvile or worse! They worked so hard to make a life for themselves here, to give him a place to stay, a life away from... from what he was. Then there was that thought. 'Threat. Threat! Protect!' "So how about we talk. You could tell everyone, and they'll be searching... for a while. But who would believe you? It's a wild accusation from someone who wanders a bit too much under the sun. You would have to prove it. And by then, I'll be long gone. But I will remember. So many faces, so many places, so many things that people get attached to. If you were not worried about being presentable, you wouldn't be bringing your gear to a tailor, you'd bring it to someone who builds something more rugged." He looked at the talons, the beak, the wings... It was a shape to be proud of. "Then there is alot of brothers and sisters, alot of people. Some of them almost as big as you are. It's important you get your armour fixed, and you want it done right. It would be a shame if you couldn't trust anyone to do it right... After all, how do you know it's really them? How do... how do you know..." Bashful couldn't take it anymore. Threats were never his game, this was NOT who he wanted to be! He couldn't do this, and lowered his gaze to the floor. Bashful was so small and weak, he couldn't do that to someone. He is Bashful Thread. Scissor Biter is something else, somepony he doesn't want to be anymore. It was when he looked down at the wood floor, seeing his tears hitting the boards beneath their hoofs. "...no..." He wasn't sure if he was saying it to himself, or to Giddon. It was terrifying, a grip around his heart that made it almost painful to breathe. He was about to lose it all... because of some cloth and leather.

@ Welcome to is side of the board! I look forward to seeing what you bring to the table, and don't be nervous, when it comes to play-by-post, there is alot of rust I am shaking off myself, so you're not alone in this experience Blitz has been a huge help and I am sure you will bring in something new

@@Blitz Boom, Trying to play off Bashful's instincts he's constantly fighting against, hope it came off well. There is opportunity if you want to complicate maters or not, depending on what kind of griffon Giddon is. Hope that you will find that setup entertaining.