Help With New Pony OC?

[Odyssey 5,716]

Hello everybody! I am here for some creative assistance.

 

Lately I've been developing on a new pony OC/fancharacter. Although I'm having trouble with a few little things, her design is complete. Here's what it looks like.

 

 

To give a brief summary - she is a middle-aged pony with a sense of adventure and wants to explore out of Equestria one day. I kinda modelled her design after Ms. Harshwinny. She wears gear similar to Applejack's in the episode Somepony to Watch Over Me. I need help with three things - personality, colours and talent/cutie mark.

 

With her personality, I want her main trait that she is adventurous, but can also be very no-nonsense. Haven't figured anything out beyond this, but I'm trying to find a way so I won't make her took like a Mary Sue.

 

I also want her colour palette to tie in with her talent and her personality. Of course she doesn't have much of a personality aside from seriousness and adventurousness, but it's at least something. I've already coloured in her fireproof boots, so I guess that's another thing that could help you with designing a colour palette for her.

 

And finally, I can't decide on what her talent should be. I do want for it to be exploring, but I can't decide what kind of exploring she should do. Plus I'm trying to decide a cutie mark for her, but with all of these other issues going on I'm having too much trouble. I'd prefer it if her mark is simple looking.

 

So if anybody could help me with any of these, don't hesitate to post. I would be more than happy with whatever feedback I get. :3

[LordSwinton 759]

Perhaps a bold bright colour for her adventurousness paired with a more practical colour for her no nonsense

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

For her personality, she can be quite adventurous, but still cautious. Perhaps a little bit more cautious towards other ponies. 

 

Somehow I imagine her being pumpking coloured O_o. Perhaps Orange man/tail and Gray or Teal coat :T. 

 

Perhaps that she is quite good at figuring things out (if she likes traveling somewhere dangerous and perhaps is good at figuring out traps or symbols) or that she is good at being brave (being cautious can also mean knowing when not to be too rash, which is brave). Her cutiemarks might either be then (Egyptian eye for symbols, or some kind of a trap) or (A lion like cutie mark for bravery or perhaps something else). 

[Overlord0909 479]

This reminds me of my OC but, mine actually has explored outside Equestria and is not that serious. :3 I can't say exactly what colour (maybe brown or grey...) but I thought a pair of boots would work for a cutie mark.

[Magic Note 2,748]

My suggestions: For her colours I'd say light orange with a secondary colour of grey to go with her personality. Her cutie mark should be a map to go with the exploration theme.

 

Hope this helps

[The Professor...8D 823]

Some quick pallet Ideas.................I was bored........^^;

 

 

 

 

 

One More for the Saddle Bag................8P

 

 

 

 

 

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

I can give a suggestion for colors. Color your OC in grayscale first JUST to get the brightness and contrast between colors to feel right. Do you want an OC with mostly dark colors? Perhaps mostly light colors like Fluttershy? Or perhaps a mix of dark and light colors like Pinkie Pie? Doing a grayscale first and foremost will answer that question.

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Alright, I made up some quick color schemes for your OC; let me know if you like any of them!

 

Color Scheme 1:

 

 

 

 

 

Color Scheme 2:

 

 

 

 

 

Color Scheme 3:

 

 

 

 

 

The third one is my personal favorite.

 

 

As for personality, you could use her older age to your advantage. Maybe you could have it that she doesn't want to feel older, so she goes on these adventures to remedy hat. No-nonsense is an interesting trait, and it's pretty self-explanatory; some people are just more serious than others. You could also have it that her that her older age holds her back a bit on her adventures, physically speaking, but you could make her resourceful and rely on her intellect and cleverness to counter her physical weakness.

 

As for exploring, maybe you could have her enjoy exploring the ruins of ancient civilizations or something like that? She could have an interest in relics.

 

Maybe a treasure chest would work for the cutie mark?

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Oh, and adventure-themed OC? That's right up my ally!

 

Honestly, she reminds me of one of my OCs; Sojourner. I would suggest that while being adventurous & no-nonsense is a good start, it wouldn't hurt to have her be enthusiastic about what she loves.

 

As for cutie mark, I'd suggest a map compass, but that's somewhat generic. Daring Do has it, and Sojourner has a variation of it. What sort of exploration does she prefer?

[yisetab28 89]

Based on what I see, she would probably a geographer or map maker, combining adventure and serious. A grey coat with a little brighter mane may do the trick. Maybe her mind will be more artistic or rational, that depends on how she sees the world. But for a serious character, a more rational and logical mind would suit her better.

 

Also, maybe change the mane style to a longer tied together mane, like what would happen when you're outside during a long period of time and move a lot. 

Edited May 8, 2015 by MCAsomm

[Odyssey 5,716]

Alrighty guys, here is an idea on her colour palette. If there is anything I should tweak, don't hesitate to tell me. Otherwise thanks for helping me with the colours! Extra thanks goes to Blue Moon and SunBurn for their tricks and ideas.

 

 

Also tried an alternative to her mane as suggested by MCAsomm. What do you guys think? For me I think that the manestyle below works much better.

 

 

Now onto her personality. This is a bit of a rough draft, but so far I'm liking it. She actually doesn't have a name yet, so for now I'll have to use EarthPony as a substitute. You can suggest name ideas if you like!

 

Despite being in her midlife, EarthPony has always craved for adventure and discovery. Being born and raised in a run-of-the-mill town where not much ever happens, she has always wondered as a filly what would all of Equestria would look like in her own eyes. She has been discovering new things for about twenty years, and she doesn't ever feel like she wants to stop, especially after missing out on a lively childhood. As EarthPony gets older, she usually has to slow down with things, but she still loves that youthful feeling she has always wanted for years. She is planning to go out of Equestria one day and see what else there is to offer.

 

Although she doesn't mind the presence of other ponies, she is not easy to impress. EarthPony is no-nonsense and always feels the need to do everything by the book to the point where she doesn't like help from other ponies. She can be blunt as well, and isn't afraid to state her opinion on anything. As a result, she is generally an uncouth pony, but she doesn't mean any harm towards anybody. EarthPony can also be cautious as well, which is while not a bad thing, it would eventually lead her to become more and more jittery to do anything.

 

Her knowledge has lead her to become a geographer as her talent. But as she got older, she has had to explore less and less. It still didn't stop her from exploring ancient civilisations, however. When going out to the more dangerous parts of Equestria, she'll usually bring her trusty saddlebag and boots.

 

Although it may not look like it, EarthPony also has a great sense of humour. She also likes puzzles of all sorts, and also happens to be an Apple. She doesn't make much connection with her family, however.

 

Tell me what you think. Should I add more flaws? Does this personality fit a MLP:FiM character? Let me know.

 

Thinking about choosing a compass as her cutie mark as PathfinderCS suggested, but suggestions for cutie marks are still up.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Hehe; I'm loving this pony! Sounds like she would fit right in with my cast.

 

But yeah, I don't see much else that can be improved with the personality as you have a nice balance of flaws and general likeability. She seems to have qualities of Ms. Harshwinny and Daring Do in her. So yeah, I'd say she fits in canon.

 

As for a name...maybe some like Discovery or Journey? Or a play on that?

[yisetab28 89]

Alrighty guys, here is an idea on her colour palette. If there is anything I should tweak, don't hesitate to tell me. Otherwise thanks for helping me with the colours! Extra thanks goes to Blue Moon and SunBurn for their tricks and ideas.

 

new pony (without saddlebags coloured).pngnew pony (with saddlebags coloured).png

 

Also tried an alternative to her mane as suggested by MCAsomm. What do you guys think? For me I think that the manestyle below works much better.

 

new pony alt. hairstyle (without saddlebags).pngnew pony alt. hairstyle (with saddlebags).png

 

Now onto her personality. This is a bit of a rough draft, but so far I'm liking it. She actually doesn't have a name yet, so for now I'll have to use EarthPony as a substitute. You can suggest name ideas if you like!

 

Despite being in her midlife, EarthPony has always craved for adventure and discovery. Being born and raised in a run-of-the-mill town where not much ever happens, she has always wondered as a filly what would all of Equestria would look like in her own eyes. She has been discovering new things for about twenty years, and she doesn't ever feel like she wants to stop, especially after missing out on a lively childhood. As EarthPony gets older, she usually has to slow down with things, but she still loves that youthful feeling she has always wanted for years. She is planning to go out of Equestria one day and see what else there is to offer.

 

Although she doesn't mind the presence of other ponies, she is not easy to impress. EarthPony is no-nonsense and always feels the need to do everything by the book to the point where she doesn't like help from other ponies. She can be blunt as well, and isn't afraid to state her opinion on anything. As a result, she is generally an uncouth pony, but she doesn't mean any harm towards anybody. EarthPony can also be cautious as well, which is while not a bad thing, it would eventually lead her to become more and more jittery to do anything.

 

Her knowledge has lead her to become a geographer as her talent. But as she got older, she has had to explore less and less. It still didn't stop her from exploring ancient civilisations, however. When going out to the more dangerous parts of Equestria, she'll usually bring her trusty saddlebag and boots.

 

Although it may not look like it, EarthPony also has a great sense of humour. She also likes puzzles of all sorts, and also happens to be an Apple. She doesn't make much connection with her family, however.

 

Tell me what you think. Should I add more flaws? Does this personality fit a MLP:FiM character? Let me know.

 

Thinking about choosing a compass as her cutie mark as PathfinderCS suggested, but suggestions for cutie marks are still up.

 

It's really good as backstory. It also fits in with how most over rational and curious people are, not a lot of social skills but still pretty good folks to be around. Really love her!

 

Also, strangely reminds me of myself.

Edited May 8, 2015 by MCAsomm

[PonyPal123 47]

Well maybe for her cutie mark she could have a compus but thats all i have for now 

[Odyssey 5,716]

Alrighty then, I think that I have finished her personality. There are only a small amount of changes, but otherwise it's the same as what I have written a few posts back.

 

Now after thinking about it for a while, I have decided that her name would be Globetrotter. She travels all over Equestria, she plans to go out of Equestria one day and she trots... well, like an actual horse. Yeah it's a silly pun, but this is the best name I could think for her. xP

 

Now I have some ideas for Globetrotter's cutie mark. Some of these ideas include:

A map compass

A map

A treasure box

Three gems

 

Out of all four of them though, I'm most inclined to choose the map compass mark. It's easy to recognise, it doesn't need to be overly detailed and it fits with Globetrotter's character.

 

Once again, I'll have to give out a big thank you to those who have helped me. Without it, I wouldn't ever make a Pony OC as interesting as this one. I hope I'll get to use her soon! :3

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

 

Now I have some ideas for Globetrotter's cutie mark. Some of these ideas include:

A map compass

A map

A treasure box

Three gems

 

Well, in any case it's usually best to go for something simple. I'd say the first three are just fine; of my OCs Sojourner's is a map compass and Pathfinder's is a map. Going by what you have shared I'd say a map compass would fit Globetrotter just fine.

[Passion 3,484]

Maps and compasses are so overdone, honestly.

 

This is what I see when reading about the age/hardships of exploration/personality of this OC:

 

 

OR

 

 

PAINT FOR THE WIN

 

Rope and stick. A very basic tool of moving across any types of marshes without having access to any sorts of advanced technology. Marshes are also a very tough and unforgiving terrain and I always somehow associate them with ancient ruins and stuff.

 

Tho I'm wondering, what "being an Apple" brings to her backstory ? I'm asking because my current OC has written in her backstory that she was about to attend the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns, but never really went there. Issue is, it's absolutely pointless for her to go there nor even mention it in the story. I'm removing it for few months already xD

[yisetab28 89]

A compass is way too generic. From what I've learned from camping and forest survival exercises, a knife would be a very useful thing to have on the road. So maybe a swiss knife for a CM, or like Luka said, a stick. You never know when a stick is going to be useful for you.

[The Professor...8D 823]

Alrighty then, I think that I have finished her personality. There are only a small amount of changes, but otherwise it's the same as what I have written a few posts back.

 

Now after thinking about it for a while, I have decided that her name would be Globetrotter. She travels all over Equestria, she plans to go out of Equestria one day and she trots... well, like an actual horse. Yeah it's a silly pun, but this is the best name I could think for her. xP

 

Now I have some ideas for Globetrotter's cutie mark. Some of these ideas include:

A map compass

A map

A treasure box

Three gems

 

Out of all four of them though, I'm most inclined to choose the map compass mark. It's easy to recognise, it doesn't need to be overly detailed and it fits with Globetrotter's character.

 

Once again, I'll have to give out a big thank you to those who have helped me. Without it, I wouldn't ever make a Pony OC as interesting as this one. I hope I'll get to use her soon! :3

Question.................is she a mapmaker.............??

[yisetab28 89]

Question.................is she a mapmaker.............??

 

From what OP said, yes she is.

[Widdershins 9,959]

Hee, don't know why, but I get that sort of experienced archaeologist vibe from her. Like she's taught aspiring students in the field of it before and has grown tired of having to constantly remind them that its not all about booby-trapped temples and slaying ancient beasts.

Do love the warm, autumn-y colors to her, though I had the mental image of purpley hair, like Maud. But I may just be maud-minded

 

Think I just like the sound of it, but how about Compass Rose as a name? Or barring that, just using one of the compass symbols used on old, explorer days maps for a cutie mark.