HOME | DD

KyuremGirl β€” Tailfeather Tutorial

#alicorn #feathers #fim #mlp #pegasi #pegasus #pony #tailfeathers
Published: 2015-01-01 04:58:03 +0000 UTC; Views: 1548; Favourites: 58; Downloads: 9
Redirect to original
Description My idea of what my tailfeathers would look like.
So I decided to do a little Tutorial sketch just for the heck of it. I like the idea, so here we go~
Please note that tailfeathers are ONLY found on most Pegasi and Alicorns, not Unicorns and Earth Ponies. They can appear as recessive traits in hybrid ponies.

Info:
Tailfeathers are found on Alicorns and Pegasi. They are a dominant trait usually found in purebred Pegasi lines. It is not uncommon for a mixed Pegasi or Alicorn to have tailfeathers. The purpose of these secondary trait feathers is mainly control and speed. Laid back tailfeathers in flight cause an aerodynamic quality, smoothing the tail underneath and reducing drag. When flared outwards in flight, the speed slows, and allows a smooth steady glide, rolling wind up and over the wings, and then steeping under the rump to increase gliding distances in long flights.

Physical:
Tailfeathers are made up 11-12 feathers, with many short soft down along the rump. There are three sets of feathers:
Down---small feathers, covers the rump and follows up the dock of the tail to form the secondary set.
Secondary---feathers that are slightly shorter than the secondary feathers of the wings, six feathers in all.
Primary---main controls of speed and control, 5-6 long feathers.
There are many different types of "tipping" and color. Most colors match the tipping of the wings and may dim in color near the ends. Due to their position, tailfeathers need constant grooming and attention, and must be straightened to allow comfort and easy flight. Most Pegasi preen/groom their wings in the mornings and evenings. Tailfeathers are preened three to four times each day, depending on flight activity and movement throughout the day.

Mental:
Emotions are expressed in detail with the expression of the tailfeathers if body language is read correctly. Most Pegasi are extremely sensitive to their tailfeathers, both physically and mentally. Mares are often shy and do not let others touch or preen their tailfeathers. The nerves are long and sensitive, making most ponies move their rump aside in order to not become brushed when passed. Stallions are not shy about them, and normally show them off in a flashy show of pride.
Raised tailfeathers, direct ears---Happy and usually excited.
Raised tailfeathers, ears are laid back and usually down---Nervous, or Scared.
Relaxed tailfeathers, direct ears---Happy, usual "normal" appearance.
Drooped tailfeathers, laid back ears---Sickly or depressed, these tailfeathers are usually splayed out loosely to the side.

I really hope this helps!!!

Artwork/Tailfeather Tutorial (c)
Related content
Comments: 28

3vilpyro [2015-01-15 20:06:24 +0000 UTC]

This is an awesome tutorial! I would love to draw Fire Strike with tailfeathers! I feel like since she's so proud and such a tomboy she'd probably show off her tailfeathers more than she should xP she probably wouldn't get most social cues about them in regards to mares and accidentally get herself into some awkward situations Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to 3vilpyro [2015-01-15 20:21:09 +0000 UTC]

Ahahaha!
Go for it!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

3vilpyro In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-15 20:55:13 +0000 UTC]

Yosh! Will do! Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to 3vilpyro [2015-01-16 02:53:45 +0000 UTC]

If you do, I'll add your drawing to the description.
Link it to me, I'd love to see it!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

3vilpyro In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-16 02:55:48 +0000 UTC]

That would be awesome!!! I'll bump it up on my list of stuff to draw as soon as possible! ^^ YAY TAILFEATHERS!!!Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to 3vilpyro [2015-01-16 03:03:33 +0000 UTC]

BUTTFEATHERS HO!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Soobel [2015-01-09 13:40:55 +0000 UTC]

Actually i dislike those tailfeathers, lion tails and slashed deerhooves, because ponies just not have them. But if that solution are merest, if it flapped down, then its almost like must be. Realistic ponies are very interresting things, but my statement is: that realistic creature must be look like cartoon pony are caricature of that. All characteristics, what we see in cartoon must be extant.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to Soobel [2015-01-09 21:44:07 +0000 UTC]

I like your opinion, but I disagree.
I really liked the "original" idea of a Unicorn---cloven hooves, goat beard, lion tail, and such.
Adding wings to a pony was pretty neat. But I like to think of them as half avian-half equine. Adding tailfeathers would make sense in my opinion.
I understand that you like the Canon MLP, but there are a lot of things that I just don't like about their design.
Thanks for the feedback! It's appreciated.Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Soobel In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-17 18:17:23 +0000 UTC]

Then we have different statements. I try to invent a creature, what looks like cartoon ponies are caricatures of that. It mean that important impressions must be retain.
I like earthsongs pictures and style, but i bump against conflict - Rarity (or other pony) just cannot look like she draw or that just not that Rarity.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

ParastarSarasva [2015-01-09 13:40:50 +0000 UTC]

Shake those tail feathers!
Ass biting?

I happen to like explanation drawings

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to ParastarSarasva [2015-01-09 21:44:20 +0000 UTC]

XD

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

ParastarSarasva In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-10 02:48:53 +0000 UTC]

girthaedestroyer.deviantart.co…

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to ParastarSarasva [2015-01-10 03:10:06 +0000 UTC]

Aw, cute!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

ParastarSarasva In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-10 04:03:29 +0000 UTC]

angryberry.deviantart.com/art/…
This is also cute

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to ParastarSarasva [2015-01-10 04:07:53 +0000 UTC]

Sure is.
I loved that song.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

ParastarSarasva In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-10 04:49:22 +0000 UTC]

I did as well

Buddy of mine:
kindofboring.deviantart.com/ar…
Fallout+Equestria Crossover

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to ParastarSarasva [2015-01-10 05:12:58 +0000 UTC]

Mm.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

ParastarSarasva In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-18 02:13:55 +0000 UTC]

Not sure how to respond to that one.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

MosiKitty [2015-01-02 16:12:24 +0000 UTC]

this is a quite logical approach and very well displayed and explained. Amazing work β™₯

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to MosiKitty [2015-01-02 19:11:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

PinkieTane [2015-01-02 07:03:41 +0000 UTC]

This is very helpful! Nice work c:

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to PinkieTane [2015-01-02 07:45:43 +0000 UTC]

This is just my headcanon...What I presume to be "normal" I guess.
Thank you for the feedback! It's greatly appreciated.Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

PinkieTane In reply to KyuremGirl [2015-01-02 08:54:13 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome, and think your headcanon is very well thought out. c:

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to PinkieTane [2015-01-02 13:42:45 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Although the tailfeather idea isn't mine, I wanted to add my own details to it.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Milliemewz [2015-01-02 02:45:07 +0000 UTC]

Very awesome. I've seen many artists use the concept of the tail feathers, and I really like your in depth explaination

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to Milliemewz [2015-01-02 04:32:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

KittenStorm11 [2015-01-01 05:08:06 +0000 UTC]

This looks awesome, makes me want to add tailfeathers to Sketch as well... Β It'd be kind of funny if stallion tail feathers were more brightly colored in contrast to their coat color just because that's how some tailfeathers look in displaying species X3 Β I might have to draw something like that.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

KyuremGirl In reply to KittenStorm11 [2015-01-01 05:10:33 +0000 UTC]

lol
That would be really cool!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0