fandom q+a NCMares Q&A

[Batbrony 16,055]

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND NIGHTMARE NIGHT EVERYPONY!!! WELCOME TO OUR NIGHTMARE NIGHT NCMARES Q&A!!!

 

Good evening everypony, and welcome to our Nightmare Night Q&A with NCMares!  First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the MLP Forums staff and NCMares for your understanding regarding the rescheduling we had to do for this event; a last minute scheduling conflict came up and we had no choice but to push the event to today, but now that that's all out of the way we're all set for the main event tonight!  So without further ado, let's get to this evening's event.

 

Most of you I'm guessing already know who NCMares is, but for those few who may not, he's one of the best artists in the entire brony fandom, a longtime and frequent con attendee, and a really nice, stand-up guy all around!  Below you will find just a small sampling of some of the fantastic work he's put out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can check out all of NCMares' work by clicking on the link above, which will take you to his DeviantArt profile.  Whether or not you're an artist or an aspiring artist in the fandom, please, ask away to your hearts content!  As with all of our Q&A events, you can ask whatever you want, but understand that it is at NCMares' discretion to determine what he does and doesn't want to answer, so we cannot guarantee that every question asked will be answered.  With the introductory formalities out of the way, let's get this show on the road!

 

I'll start things off by asking a pretty basic question: So, NCMares, why ponies?  What in particular got you into drawing our favorite, colorful, talking equines in the first place?

[NCMares 150]

On my way home! Just another few min.

OK, let's rock - if anyone's interested in a question or two, I gotchu fam.

[Scootie 108]

Hey, NC! Love, love, love your art! I'm a big fan!

 

I got into drawing ponies about 6 months ago, but I'm still struggling a bit with the anatomy and drawing them in different angles and positions. How exactly did you go about studying pony anatomy so you were able to draw them in the poses you wanted?

[NCMares 150]

I was originally appalled that so many guys were watching MLP, haha. I always love cartoons though, and in early 2013 a friend asks me if I'm a brony, I said 'no freakin' way,' but for whatever reason that got me curious and checking out youtube vids haha. I fell in love with the animation and stuff first off,  and then the characters as I began giving the show itself a shot. It's been a great ride, and although I regret not getting on sooner I'm still glad to have been apart of this.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@NCMares

I'll ask the generic ones...

 

What got you into MLP?

 

Also what inspired you to draw?

[NCMares 150]

Hey, NC! Love, love, love your art! I'm a big fan!

 

I got into drawing ponies about 6 months ago, but I'm still struggling a bit with the anatomy and drawing them in different angles and positions. How exactly did you go about studying pony anatomy so you were able to draw them in the poses you wanted?

I studied the show a lot and really liked especially how fluid it all was. Like the run and trot cycles? Totally beautiful. I tell you what, though, Andy Price's work on the comics was a huge influence on me. He was a huge influence on me, for sure, and I would trace his work a lot to get a feel for how he might go about drawing them. Tracing's a big taboo, but it's not all that bad s long as you don't post it nowhere.

Hey, NC! Love, love, love your art! I'm a big fan!

 

I got into drawing ponies about 6 months ago, but I'm still struggling a bit with the anatomy and drawing them in different angles and positions. How exactly did you go about studying pony anatomy so you were able to draw them in the poses you wanted?

Oh, and thank you! I'm real nervous here, haha.

[Batbrony 16,055]

I was originally appalled that so many guys were watching MLP, haha. I always love cartoons though, and in early 2013 a friend asks me if I'm a brony, I said 'no freakin' way,' but for whatever reason that got me curious and checking out youtube vids haha. I fell in love with the animation and stuff first off,  and then the characters as I began giving the show itself a shot. It's been a great ride, and although I regret not getting on sooner I'm still glad to have been apart of this.

 

Very cool, and a very familiar story for many of us I'm sure who also at one point couldn't imagine getting into a fandom like this.    Do you have a particular feature on ponies that you enjoy drawing the most?  It doesn't just have to be a body part, it could be an expression or even objects entirely separate from them.

[NCMares 150]

@@NCMares

I'll ask the generic ones...

 

What got you into MLP?

 

Also what inspired you to draw?

I've been drawing since I was real young and got inspired by the likes of behind the scenes videos that would follow Disney films on VHS. I didn't start getting serious about it until Middle School, though. I'll never forget it, man. I was watching XPlay in 2007 and they interviewd the concept artist for Fallout 3. I fell in love with the idea of being a CA, and from there I was all about learning about shading and perspective and stuff.

Very cool, and a very familiar story for many of us I'm sure who also at one point couldn't imagine getting into a fandom like this.    Do you have a particular feature on ponies that you enjoy drawing the most?  It doesn't just have to be a body part, it could be an expression or even objects entirely separate from them.

Man, that's a toughie, haha. Ponies are just plain fun to draw, let alone accessorize. Armor, weapons, cute stuff like sweaters and socks - they can rock it all and I love dressing them up.

[Batbrony 16,055]

Man, that's a toughie, haha. Ponies are just plain fun to draw, let alone accessorize. Armor, weapons, cute stuff like sweaters and socks - they can rock it all and I love dressing them up.

 

I can imagine, if I could draw like you I don't know where I'd stop.  You seem to enjoy doing quite a few amusing crossovers between MLP and other properties, such as Star Wars (probably your most frequent), DC (especially AJ as Supermare), and even 'The Hangover' just to name a few.  Where did the inspiration for those come from?  Did you first decide to do those just for fun, or did a friend or fan either request something like that or commission you?

[Mesme Rize 15,683]

Hey there NCMARES. Incredible art that you have there.

 

Have you ever thought about drawing the mane 6, or background ponies as other animal hybrids? I know, alot of people like Batponies for example, but there are also mothponies, snakeponies, seaponies, etc.

 

Also, generic question. Your favorite pony?

 

 

Hope you have a nice stay here.

[NCMares 150]

I can imagine, if I could draw like you I don't know where I'd stop.  You seem to enjoy doing quite a few amusing crossovers between MLP and other properties, such as Star Wars (probably your most frequent), DC (especially AJ as Supermare), and even 'The Hangover' just to name a few.  Where did the inspiration for those come from?  Did you first decide to do those just for fun, or did a friend or fan either request something like that or commission you?

The Hangover came about between me and my man AquaticSun. He was just sketching aroudn one day and I'm all like - I'm coloring that, dude.' But yeah, movies are a huge influence on me, you know? Warhammer 40K is also a big one, haha. For the Emprah, knowuimsayin?

Hey there NCMARES. Incredible art that you have there.

 

Have you ever thought about drawing the mane 6, or background ponies as other animal hybrids? I know, alot of people like Batponies for example, but there are also mothponies, snakeponies, seaponies, etc.

 

Also, generic question. Your favorite pony?

 

 

Hope you have a nice stay here.

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it. I never really gave the interspecies stuff a lot of thought myself, but Tatzl-Jack is a little cutie. The most adorable abomination, I always say! And then Applejack is best pony. The other mane five come in a very, very close second place though. ^^

Y'all like vidya gaemz? Freakin' Steam is having its Halloween sale. I just bought Arkham Knight. I really really like Batman. :3 I've been waiting for this game moreso because of all the skins. Dark Knight and Ben Affleck Batman? Uh, yes please.

[Batbrony 16,055]

The Hangover came about between me and my man AquaticSun. He was just sketching aroudn one day and I'm all like - I'm coloring that, dude.' But yeah, movies are a huge influence on me, you know? Warhammer 40K is also a big one, haha. For the Emprah, knowuimsayin?

 

Y'all like vidya gaemz? Freakin' Steam is having its Halloween sale. I just bought Arkham Knight. I really really like Batman. :3 I've been waiting for this game moreso because of all the skins. Dark Knight and Ben Affleck Batman? Uh, yes please.

 

 

Very cool.  Now I have to ask as well, where did the grumpy, grunge, hoodie-and-sock wearing, junk-food eating princesses that I'm sure you are quite well known for in the fandom come from?     Those are as hilarious as they are adorable, and quite a trademark of yours by now.

 

Also of course I love video games!  Console myself, so no need really for Steam for me, and I don't get to game as much as I'd like, but when I can I love it.  And I still need to get Arkham Knight, though I'm sure I'll get a nice deal on it before long. 

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@NCMares 

 

Ok one more question I'm curious, you gonna stay around here after this event? There are some things here as you may well know, I suppose curiosity got the better of me to ask this question. 

[Storm Striker 35]

Hi! Your art is absolutely stunning

 

This one question I ask a lot, but, how long have you been drawing?

 

also another question. How do pony forelegs bend? I've been drawing for a month and I still can't figure it out.

 

Hope you have a good day

[NCMares 150]

Very cool.  Now I have to ask as well, where did the grumpy, grunge, hoodie-and-sock wearing, junk-food eating princesses that I'm sure you are quite well known for in the fandom come from?     Those are as hilarious as they are adorable, and quite a trademark of yours by now.

 

Also of course I love video games!  Console myself, so no need really for Steam for me, and I don't get to game as much as I'd like, but when I can I love it.  And I still need to get Arkham Knight, though I'm sure I'll get a nice deal on it before long. 

That all started with one comic by HAK2, in which Celestia was a total slob and eating ice cream straight from the tub in a sweater. I fell in love with that concept, and during an Econ lecture I just doodled her and Twilight and thought 'you know, this might make for a good tumblr.' I asked Hak if he'd let me run with the concept. and with his blessing everything snowballed. It's been a lot of fun, that series and I'm glad folks like it.

@@NCMares 

 

Ok one more question I'm curious, you gonna stay around here after this event? There are some things here as you may well know, I suppose curiosity got the better of me to ask this questionI guess I can.  

I guess so! You guys seem like a cool buncha fellows.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Welcome to the forums, and I hope you enjoy yourself here.

 

Alright, question, any experience drawing deer?

[NCMares 150]

Hi! Your art is absolutely stunning

 

This one question I ask a lot, but, how long have you been drawing?

 

also another question. How do pony forelegs bend? I've been drawing for a month and I still can't figure it out.

 

Hope you have a good day

Thank you, bud, I really appreciate it. I've been drawing since I was real young, but when I watched that show on XPlay I was in 7th grade which coincidentally was in 2007. That makes about 8 years since I really buckled down and tried to improve. It's been slow going, but I've made  progress. :'D

 

The forelegs can be kind of tricky because they got four joints from shoulder to fetlock. It's hard to explain, but I tell you what - stop by EQD and you'll find more tutorials than you can even handle, That's how I got rolling, and they got everything you need.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/06/tutorial-codex.html#more

Welcome to the forums, and I hope you enjoy yourself here.

 

Alright, question, any experience drawing deer?

Oh yeah, MLPForums are pretty slick, man. I have not given the deer a shot, yet, but I think I ought to! Giraffes, too. Giraffes are gangster, and my man MadHotaru has got a nice giraffe OC.

[Simeon Leonard 119]

I have a question 

 

How did you Big Apple Pony Tumblr come to be? It's so silly, I love it. There has to be a story there

[NCMares 150]

I have a question 

 

How did you Big Apple Pony Tumblr come to be? It's so silly, I love it. There has to be a story there

I love that one so much. <3 Oversized ponies are just plain cute. Like, the general rule of thumb is that things get cuter the smaller they are, but not Applejack. I whipped up this sketch way back during one of the EQDArtist Training Grounds (amazing event), as the prompt was draw a super big or small pony. Applejack is my favorite pony, so i drew her up and just liked the concept! Over the next year or so I drew her a few more times, and then finally spun up a tumblr so I have an excuse to draw her all the time. :3

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

 

Oh yeah, MLPForums are pretty slick, man. I have not given the deer a shot, yet, but I think I ought to! Giraffes, too. Giraffes are gangster, and my man MadHotaru has got a nice giraffe OC.

 

 

Thank you! I appreciate hearing that! ^^

 

Oh; sweet! I think you ought to as well; deer are just so...deer, to me.

 

Question: Favorite song from the series?

[NCMares 150]

Thank you! I appreciate hearing that! ^^

 

Oh; sweet! I think you ought to as well; deer are just so...deer, to me.

 

Question: Favorite song from the series?

Haha, nice icon, too. Best song has got to be Pinkie's Pie Sister Exchange Present whatchamacallit song from the Gift of Maud Pie. It's a masterpiece and really speaks to the heart, you know?

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@NCMares 

 

And I keep thinking of questions... from my personal memory you don't do that many commissions why is that? 

[NCMares 150]

@@NCMares 

 

And I keep thinking of questions... from my personal memory you don't do that many commissions why is that? 

I have serious insecurities about my own work and have a really hard time drawing for other's because I am terrified that they will not like it. :') True story. I'm working through three right this second, though. So - progress!

[evafan 4]

Hey NC. I really love your art, especially you take on Octavia. But who are your favorite artists?

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

Hi NCMares! How long does it take you to produce an art piece now compared to when you started drawing ponies? I imagine it gets faster (easier?) after doing it for a while but by how much?