general tips for starters

[Deathstroke 1,564]

I just begun drawing ponies and i want tips for a beginner and you guys have been drawing ponies for like 2 or 1 or half years so you guys know better than i do 

Edited August 15, 2014 by Deathstroke

[SFyr 1,982]

@@Deathstroke, 

 

General tips amount to the following usually. 

- References are your friend. Use them to study both the whole anatomical picture and individual parts (you don't even need to stay within MLP to learn things that apply to it).

- Learn how to use light/shadow, texture, and color choice to your advantage.

- A lot of anatomy can at least be planned out using geometric shapes. Often, the final result isn't even that far removed from the lines thereof.

- Bodies have movement and balance; learning to capture this will prevent rigid or unnatural poses, while also making your subjects more interesting.

- Expression is important; often it is found in the eyes/face, but in the end the whole body may speak the character's mind.

- Practice, trial and error, and perseverance are things you have to make friends with.

 

 

As for MLP specific pointers...

- Figure out how you stand with the limbs. Their forelimbs particularly widen as they leave the torso, which means you'll have to use a lot of MLP-only references to figure out their proper joint structure and how it looks at different angles/movements.

- Also figure out how close you want to go to showstyle, and how much you want to take the asthetic and go your own direction with it. Many artists already have their own style, and simply rework MLP or try to approach it without actually matching it.

- The eyes are going to be the majority of your face, so you'll need to know how to do eyes fairly well, ideally.

- Ponies are colorful, but you may want to pay close attention to whether colors complement each other or clash. Very opposite colors can look great together, or ruin a design.

 

 

I'd personally start with the first item I mentioned.

References can help you on your way.   Especially if you find an artist or style (or several) that 'calls out' to you.

 

 

EDIT:

Also, here're some useful (in my opinion) links:

Pony drawing stuff: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7bS-XNQmBnk/TeX7B0XqZMI/AAAAAAAAFTE/AWktwZT1XAA/s1600/Clipboard01.jpg

More, but focused on limbs: http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/286/2/f/my_little_pony_drawing_guide_by_wesley3339-d6qe263.jpg

Walking: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/051/9/7/proper_movement_i_by_glittering_pony-d4qgefe.png

Pony skeleton in non-show style: http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/286/0/b/mlp__skeleton_anatomy_doodle_by_earthsong9405-d6qbvbs.jpg

Running: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/053/f/6/proper_movement_ii_by_glittering_pony-d4qnxf4.png

Edited August 15, 2014 by SFyr