Pony adventuring trio

[Barbossa 47]

I invented a group of adventurers a while back, and have used their names in games I play ever since, months ago I decided to try at making them ponies. Today, I decided to revisite them.
 
The colors were done as quick color tests that I only spent about 30 minutes on each. They are ugly, because I just used colored pencils (bad ones even) over the sketches. For color palette tests.
I don't like the colors on most of these, and want to re-do them.
 
edit: Uploaded to imgur, to be able to direct link, so you didn't have to click through links.
 
 
I'll start with the sketches I did months ago, but didn't post till now:
 
Archodius, the snobby mage, who act more like a rogue

I see a lot of problems with my older art. I tried to make him a skinner build like snails, but only ended up making him look abnormally long. I didn't squish his legs close enough.

 
Nemaro, the paladin, he's a pretty typical hero character
(He's the least developed in my head, of the three.)

This one I like a lot more, but still has its issues. He's meant to look bulky, something I havn't really gotten down yet. the biggest problem with the armor is the legs, which I change in the color test.
I've been told he looks more like a cleric with the staff, but I couldn't imagine him without a staff. He much prefers helping as a paladin than hurting.

 
 
Now for what I've drawn over the course of last night/this morning:
 
Amforyl, the druid who always seems to not care.
In reality, she just tries to keep a neutrality for everything except what dangers nature, and the normal balance.
(and yet somehow got herself caught into making friends.)

 
 
The color tests:
These really show improved line art, and the re-iteration of the clothing.
 
Archodius

I want his jacket to be purple, that's for certain. His mane is meant to be much darker.
The thing I'm not happy with is his body color, which is just wrong and off for the character. I was trying to go for an arcane magicks sort of blue, but it didn't turn out right at all.

 
Nemaro

He looks a little sad in this picture, because that's just how he felt at the time I suppose.
His armor is too dark, and I don't like the gem color, But I do like the green cloak.
His mane is meant to be a more goldish blonde color, but it just ended up a mess, because I havn't figured out how to represent his mane in an outline yet. His staff needs to be completely redone, both color and design wise.
Lastly, I very much dislike the blue body color on him as well.

 
Amforyl

I really like how her colors turned out, but I havn't figured out some parts of her outfit, and how they look from different angles, and her skirt is a nightmare to get consistant. I just need to simplify it until it's easily repeatable.

 

Bonus Image

I was playing around with paint tool sai for the first time, and made this:

I meant to go back and change the background, and finish the obvious mistakes (like the lack of a back left leg)

but I messed up, and didn't save the layers when I was testing something, so I lost all the layers, and it's really hard to come back from a dark background with transparency like that.

as a result, I also ended up not being able to shade at all, or add a few details, like the eyes, but I thought It looked really good, so far. I'm looking forward to using this tool more in the future.

I was also planning on redoing the front right leg, but oh well. maybe next time.

 

and that's them!
Sorry the color images are really compressed, and lowish quality, but otherwise they would be an absurd size that is impractical to look at.
 
 
Their cutie marks are as follows:
 
Archodius has a runed tablet, something I made up on the spot, but ended up liking the looks of.
Nemaro has the crest that is on his shoulder armor, but with the circle as the sun.
Amforyl's is pretty uncertain, but my favorite so far is the far right seedling in a circle, on her sketch page.
 
 
Phew. so that's my first submission.
Also I didn't realise I hadn't drawn any of them looking forward/to the side until just now...
Also also: I did draw my profile picture. It was my first, and only (so far), attempt at a more real looking pony (and I chose to do my favorite pony)
 
edited for legibility of wall o' text. spoilers have my opinions on each drawing

constructive criticism is ok.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Barbossa

[GrooveBroove 681]

I really like Nemaro's overall design and color scheme. It all meshes together quite well.

As for the other ponies the idea of using the names from the game is great, especially with the originality you brought to each one of them.

[Barbossa 47]

Thanks, a lighter shade of blue, with a better gold would look better, but I do suppose the colors compliment eachother.

It's funny, because these characters are the ones names I used in so many games, anything from earthbound to WoW. I have others, but these are the core 3.