My OC, Oracle (critique, please?)

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

 

This is Oracle. Despite his appearance, he is actually a unicorn; he
was born with a genetic defect in which he was born without a horn. So,
with no actual outlet, his innate magic instead manifests itself in
psychic dreams, visions, and mind-reading abilities… unfortunately, he
has no control over them and can’t turn them off.

He hates being around other ponies, and ESPECIALLY large crowds, because he can’t stop
reading all of their minds and it will get to the point where he can’t
tell what thoughts are his or not.

So, yeah. He’s twitchy and kind of nuts-o.

However, he does have a good conscience, so if he thinks it would be beneficial
to somepony to warn them about their future, he will. But, having no
social skills and mostly detesting the presence of others, he gives off a
really strong psycho-vibe and has been pepper-sprayed on more than one
occasion. 

 

EDIT :  I made an 'ask a pony' thread for Oracle.  I'm hoping it can flesh him out some!  Check it out here : 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/47830-ask-oracle-illustrations-added-per-reply/

Edited January 30, 2013 by Lagtim3

[Acoustic Cloud 2,202]

I like the dark vibe it has going for it, but I'm not sure if I should stare into the eyes for too long, I feel like it can see me D: *closes eyes*

[Gone for good 1,593]

As far as the OC's art itself, I think the overall style really works well with the emotionally broken character that Oracle is. I'm not sure if I would have chosen the eyeball as a cutiemark because his whole story seems more like a disability rather than a talent (although they had that one screwball pony in the show so what am I saying)

 

As far as the character goes, I dig it. It's a crazy character who wants to help but can't due to severe social and emotional issues. You can really do a lot with this. I've never actually roleplayed, but I'd expect that you can pull off lots of character developement with a character set up as this.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Lord Bababa

[GroggyPony 10]

I like it ^.^ It has this strange vibe I can't exsplain and that stuff is always cool to me. His eyes also look cool and help him stand out.

 

Im still trying to work out a way to draw my oc to stand out >w<

so...I'm not an expert on standing out but I still feel as tho this pony stands out and his cutie mark communicates the idea of his talent well.

[Rivet Canterlot Mechanic 63]

He looks a lot like Queen Chrysalis but that's honestly a point in his favour. I like the style and I'm guessing you didn't need a template or have to trace anything. Only down side is his face looks rough and the eyes look a little dull but hey, its not my style so i can't say what you were going for. Gotta say I love the summery about him.

[Quiet Water 24]

Creepy. The stitches around the cutie mark eye really give it that extra nudge of "disturbing". The first thing that popped into my head when I saw the character was "Wednesday Addams", and then "Tim Burton". Very nice!

[RoseBud 26]

Oh My.. I could stare into his eyes forever.. Its got an aspect that makes him alluring but creepy.. I love the Unicorn part about him too, Ocracle is truly fantastic in my eyes

`Rose xox

[Night Shine 770]

Hey, you seem to have a pretty cool style here. Not striving for show-accuracy, but nonetheless unique and memorable.

 

That said, the only couple things that I didn't like as much were the size of the hooves and the tail; they just seem a bit odd to me.

 

Anyway. The concept behind this character is incredible. As a writer with a particular interest in psychologically based characters, I'm definitely not ever going to steal any ideas from it ever, because that would just be rude. Also, I really love what you did with the eyes and the background; it portrays that whole 'psycho' trippy vibe very well.

 

Great job!

[MyLittleHarlee 38]

Ooooh.

He's kinda creepy.

By kinda I mean a lot.

I like the fact he is a colt, but has long hair. I always find that uber cool.

His whole unicorn thingy is awesome and I love how it's messed him up XD

And the whole sketchy vibe is cool, too.

Overall, good job!

[SurfSkateSoar 13]

Holy Horses, Oracle scared my little sister into her room XD But I gotta say, Never seen that sorta style before, But I like it. Btws Bro, The Unicorn thing is an awesome idea, Seriously.

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

  On 2013-01-26 at 12:32 AM, SurfSkateSoar said:

Holy Horses, Oracle scared my little sister into her room XD But I gotta say, Never seen that sorta style before, But I like it. Btws Bro, The Unicorn thing is an awesome idea, Seriously.

 

Aww, I didn't mean to actually scare anypony, just mildly creep them out~!  (If I may ask, how old is she?)  And yeah, it took me awhile to think of a good reason for Oracle being psychic rather than just 'he's special'.  The genetic oddity premise was inspired by an OC whose creator I can't remember, Eureka.  She is an alicorn, but not royal at all; it's just a genetic defect that she has a horn and wings and she often hides her wings, I do believe.  She's just as powerful as a regular pony.

 

  On 2013-01-25 at 10:18 AM, Night Shine said:

Hey, you seem to have a pretty cool style here. Not striving for show-accuracy, but nonetheless unique and memorable.

 

That said, the only couple things that I didn't like as much were the size of the hooves and the tail; they just seem a bit odd to me.

 

Anyway. The concept behind this character is incredible. As a writer with a particular interest in psychologically based characters, I'm definitely not ever going to steal any ideas from it ever, because that would just be rude. Also, I really love what you did with the eyes and the background; it portrays that whole 'psycho' trippy vibe very well.

 

Great job!

 

Yeah, the unusually large hooves and tail were done on purpose to make him look more frail and unbalanced.  'Odd' is just what I was going for, so thanks!

 

Also, it's nice to see somepony else who enjoys abnormal psycology

[Harmonic Revelations 8,836]

The holy oracle? How can I critique the holy Oracle? I mean seriously, it's not even remotely possible for me to even attempt that.

 

But in all seriousness, your concept is pretty cool and I like the OC in general. I had a dream about you sounds a bit like something the guy who lives in the dumpster behind my house would say, though.

Edited January 26, 2013 by ~Chaotic Aeternae Salvtis~

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

  On 2013-01-25 at 8:50 AM, GroggyPony said:

I like it ^.^ It has this strange vibe I can't exsplain and that stuff is always cool to me. His eyes also look cool and help him stand out.

 

Im still trying to work out a way to draw my oc to stand out >w<

so...I'm not an expert on standing out but I still feel as tho this pony stands out and his cutie mark communicates the idea of his talent well.

 

Colouration is a big part of 'standing out'.  I find that what works best is creating the character first, and THEN creating his/her looks.  Use colours that line up best with their personality; Oracle, for instance, is a pale green to remind one of sickliness--as well, it makes the purple bags under his eyes stand out.  His dark, limp mane serves as a contrast to the rest of him, framing his body to make his seem frailer and making his eyes and fur seem paler than they actually are.

 

Another example is my other OC, Barnabas Kelvin.  He works with phoenixes and runs a small, circus-like show.  His mane and hooves are a deep, saturated orange-red to remind one of fire; likewise, his fur is a medium orangey-yellow reminiscent of yellow flame.  His eyes are green, so that they 'pop' more and highlight his expressions, since he doesn't have very large eyes in comparison to other ponies (that is to say, instead of taking up 70% of his face, they only take up 30 or 40.  think 'Flim Flam Bros.,')  As well, the clothes he wears tend to be in dark blues and purples, sometimes sporting a gem or two the same shade of green as his eyes.  Contrasting colours on a character, when done right, definitely make them stand out.

 

As a last example : For the most part, ponies tend to be vivid; while the colours on their bodies aren't always a bright, base colour, they're usually rather saturated and stand out well.  Another way to make YOUR character stand out is unusually dull colouration; warm and cold greys, and browns with tints of red, orange, or yellow.  Cranky Doodle donkey stood out particularly well in his episode because of this.

 

I hope this helps you!

[GroggyPony 10]

  On 2013-01-26 at 4:52 AM, Avana Gunn said:

Colouration is a big part of 'standing out'.  I find that what works best is creating the character first, and THEN creating his/her looks.  Use colours that line up best with their personality; Oracle, for instance, is a pale green to remind one of sickliness--as well, it makes the purple bags under his eyes stand out.  His dark, limp mane serves as a contrast to the rest of him, framing his body to make his seem frailer and making his eyes and fur seem paler than they actually are.

 

Another example is my other OC, Barnabas Kelvin.  He works with phoenixes and runs a small, circus-like show.  His mane and hooves are a deep, saturated orange-red to remind one of fire; likewise, his fur is a medium orangey-yellow reminiscent of yellow flame.  His eyes are green, so that they 'pop' more and highlight his expressions, since he doesn't have very large eyes in comparison to other ponies (that is to say, instead of taking up 70% of his face, they only take up 30 or 40.  think 'Flim Flam Bros.,')  As well, the clothes he wears tend to be in dark blues and purples, sometimes sporting a gem or two the same shade of green as his eyes.  Contrasting colours on a character, when done right, definitely make them stand out.

 

As a last example : For the most part, ponies tend to be vivid; while the colours on their bodies aren't always a bright, base colour, they're usually rather saturated and stand out well.  Another way to make YOUR character stand out is unusually dull colouration; warm and cold greys, and browns with tints of red, orange, or yellow.  Cranky Doodle donkey stood out particularly well in his episode because of this.

 

I hope this helps you!

Well I doodle a pic of Groggy. I’m still working out what style I want to

work towered.

 

There is also this pic

http://mlpforums.com/topic/47149-my-oc-groggycritique/

 

Groggy is a pony that spends most of the time worried about life, but trying

to be at peace with it and thus be calmer. Groggy wants to be helpful to others

but is so shy that making strong friendships are kind of hard to do.

 

Groggy has a shifty sleeping schedule that usually is being awake at night

and thus alone (alone but not lonely) being kind of nervous a lot of the time

also adds to having a bit of an odd sleeping schedule but that’s ok, Groggy believes

in “sleep whenever you feel like it”.

 

So there are purple-reddish coloring under the eyes. I used gray for the body

as it’s a mid-color from white to black, this is because of the indecisive way

Groggy tends to phrase things and think about things, hardly being on one side

of the fence. But black and white are also there. White for a tad of interest

by being “freckles”. Black, for the main and hair to stand out from the body.

The hair/feathering is also to help make a slightly memorable look but not over

welling in anyway.

 

Groggy lives in an old boarding house and if anpony ever comes around then

there bound to be offered some sort of tea, or if anypony ever comes across

Groggy they are bound to be offered tea.

 

and thats what I have so far for my oc.

 

Does Oracle what some tea?

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2013 by GroggyPony

[SurfSkateSoar 13]

 

  On 2013-01-26 at 4:37 AM, Avana Gunn said:

Aww, I didn't mean to actually scare anypony, just mildly creep them out~!  (If I may ask, how old is she?)  And yeah, it took me awhile to think of a good reason for Oracle being psychic rather than just 'he's special'.  The genetic oddity premise was inspired by an OC whose creator I can't remember, Eureka.  She is an alicorn, but not royal at all; it's just a genetic defect that she has a horn and wings and she often hides her wings, I do believe.  She's just as powerful as a regular pony

 Aw Na, Shes fine, Shes 10 xD She just gets a scare more often than other, But shes fine bro, Don't Worry. Ahaha, Your very clever, Veerryyyy Cllevveerr..

[Strawberry Tart 161]

Oh goodness. That's a scary, scary pony. But I like him! He seems like the type that Chrysalis would want on her team, but then he would turn out to actually be good and not want to work with her. 

 

Anyway, the style you used is really nice. I like that you actually added a background (most people don't). Oracle himself looks very cool, like he hasn't slept in days or something...and the speaking bubble is so detailed that I can almost imagine what his voice would sound like!

 

However, I think the bottoms of the legs are much too big (but maybe that's just your style, I don't know). His front right leg seems to be thick everywhere, not just the bottom, and I doubt you meant for it to look like that. Um, the tail is a bit too bushy, too. Though, again, you probably meant that...

 

Anyway, really nice job, and I hope you keep drawing art because you're really good!

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

  On 2013-01-26 at 8:36 AM, GroggyPony said:

Well I doodle a pic of Groggy. I’m still working out what style I want to

work towered.

 

There is also this pic

http://mlpforums.com/topic/47149-my-oc-groggycritique/

 

Groggy is a pony that spends most of the time worried about life, but trying

to be at peace with it and thus be calmer. Groggy wants to be helpful to others

but is so shy that making strong friendships are kind of hard to do.

 

Groggy has a shifty sleeping schedule that usually is being awake at night

and thus alone (alone but not lonely) being kind of nervous a lot of the time

also adds to having a bit of an odd sleeping schedule but that’s ok, Groggy believes

in “sleep whenever you feel like it”.

 

So there are purple-reddish coloring under the eyes. I used gray for the body

as it’s a mid-color from white to black, this is because of the indecisive way

Groggy tends to phrase things and think about things, hardly being on one side

of the fence. But black and white are also there. White for a tad of interest

by being “freckles”. Black, for the main and hair to stand out from the body.

The hair/feathering is also to help make a slightly memorable look but not over

welling in anyway.

 

Groggy lives in an old boarding house and if anpony ever comes around then

there bound to be offered some sort of tea, or if anypony ever comes across

Groggy they are bound to be offered tea.

 

and thats what I have so far for my oc.

 

Does Oracle what some tea?

 

 

 

 

It's great how mcuh you've fleshed him out, I don't see very much detail in most OCs.  He's definitely recognizable and interesting.  I'm kinda wondering about his tail.  Is he a mule?  If so, I really like that!  I don't think other species get enough attention (I know, it's 'My Little Pony', but still.)

Edited January 26, 2013 by Lagtim3

[The Soldier 2,044]

So... Do you know what the Oracle is saying about me now? Why don't you ask him? Actually, first, ask him a guess the number in my head.

 

(bet he doesn't know I'm thinking about flapjacks)

Edited January 26, 2013 by Chigens' Slave

[Halfblood 364]

Wow, I really like the sketchy style you got going on here.  It really adds to the creepy/ dark tones to it; making his personality (twitchy and nuts) pretty believable!  

 

Cutie mark is great too.  That wild, psycho-staring eye conveys this pony well.  Good job!

[Sensuna 138]

Me drawing cute things most of the time...

 

 

It really creeps me out like it will forever haunts your dreams

 

But I'm pretty sure you went for that and so it's done very well in it's own creepy way

[GroggyPony 10]

  On 2013-01-26 at 5:01 PM, Avana Gunn said:

It's great how mcuh you've fleshed him out, I don't see very much detail in most OCs.  He's definitely recognizable and interesting.  I'm kinda wondering about his tail.  Is he a mule?  If so, I really like that!  I don't think other species get enough attention (I know, it's 'My Little Pony', but still.)

yha! Groggy's design is base off of old English unicorns, and

some depictions of then seems mule like along with goat characteristics. ^-^

 

 

 

 

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

  On 2013-01-27 at 8:21 AM, GroggyPony said:

yha! Groggy's design is base off of old English unicorns, and

some depictions of then seems mule like along with goat characteristics. ^-^

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, that's so cool!  So, is it that he's just different, or a super-purebred from the first unicorns, or is he from across the sea?  (Sorry, I just want to know all about this guy now )

[Concord 1,982]

Hello!

 

Oh wow, i won't lie. She does give me the chills every time i look at her...

 

She seems like such an interesting idea, with so much potential to become a very good OC. Really nice!

[Chann3l Chas3r 367]

  On 2013-01-30 at 12:46 PM, Concord said:

Hello!

 

Oh wow, i won't lie. She does give me the chills every time i look at her...

 

She seems like such an interesting idea, with so much potential to become a very good OC. Really nice!

 

Oracle is actually a he XD.  I gave him feminine features to make him look frail, and if I hadn't made his hair so dark, you'd be able to see that he has VERY thick eyebrows and no eyelashes.  but thank you!

[Cliffhanger 5]

I think this is a fantastic piece. I'm especially drawn to dark and peculiar things so I find his concept particularly attractive. The only downside I can see to him as a character is that it's tragically difficult to roleplay a character who can see the future without preplanning everything in advance, but as a concept or star in his own story I think he's brilliant. Bravo!