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ReQuay In reply to Auraleyki [2014-05-13 13:29:17 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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ReQuay In reply to Agaave [2013-12-29 20:27:18 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!     I had so much fun with her hair decor in this one.  I wanted something simple, to not cover her natural beauty, but still festive.   And those holly berry/leaves created an almost "draft" like hair design (perfect for my big girl).  I was quite happy with how it turned out.  And the snow was almost a happy mistake, that I just went with it.  I also like the effect of the flakes gently falling from the sky (must stash that in my memory for future images).  Thank you so much for all the kind words. 

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Agaave In reply to ReQuay [2014-01-06 08:53:14 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!
Mission with simple but still festive decorations succeed. ^^
And don't we love happy mistakes; they often set the whole atmosphere for the picture!

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ReQuay In reply to Tattered-Dreams [2013-12-23 21:38:58 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so so much!   

I wanted to do something fun and festive, and yet keep it simple and not overly done, and to hear you say that I captured that "look" just pleases me to no end.  The hair just sorta happened on its own as I was drawing it, and then at the last second I went back (over the lineart) and threw the ribbons on.  I was happy with the result.  The holly & leaves was actually planned (for once) to give that "draft" feeling - I figured it was a fun and festive way to play on that traditional look, while still showing off her gorgeous long mane too. 

I agree, I think she looks small.  But if I told you how many times I resized her, you'd just laugh.  First too big, then small, then big, then small.... etc.  I definitely need more practice with drawing and perspectives, and I really didn't know how tall a fence would look compared to a horse that is 17.5 HH.  I think I probably undersized her here.  Just something to keep working on. 

And thank you, I'm happy with how the shading turned out.  I didn't have a real plan on how to tackle that and just kept going over the shading until it seemed to sort itself out.  And I have to say that the lack of sharp highlighting (and trying to match a cloudy sky) is a direct result of your feedback on my Arab liberty comp (where my sunny highlights didn't match the cool background) - so THANK YOU.  I tried to pay more attention to the environment this time and match it up better based on your wonderful feedback. 

And as always, thank you for the critques too.  I see what you mean by sway backed (LOL, even a non-horse person can tell by that picture - great example).  So I'm wondering if I can pick your brain further on her back conformation?  I tried to follow the breed draft guidelines (here: fav.me/d6w93db ).  Can I ask how you would draw a "strong stooped back" that does not have the swayed look?  Unlike Arabs, there are no exact RL examples for me to heavily reference... so I'm sure that I'm making all kinds of anatomy mistakes.  I'd like to try and draw the breed close to the reference sheet, but also not make the horse look injured either.  Thoughts/suggestions? 

As for the leadrope, you are right... it's definitely defying gravity.  Something I will pay further attention to with future drawings.   

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me that awesome feedback hun (I know how busy we all are right now).  Hope you are having a great holiday week!
 

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Tattered-Dreams In reply to ReQuay [2014-01-11 19:52:33 +0000 UTC]

Late reply is late - I'm so sorry! I've noted you since, so I'm sure I've already said it but (since I have a brain like a sieve) I'll say it again - Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year

Sometimes the bits of art that just happen without us thinking or intending can be the best. I still maintain that most of my art happens by accident XD. I'm sorry to hear you resized her so much, though (I must apologise, I did think she was meant to be smaller). Getting scales right can be murder, I know. Fences can be a great way to show height and scale, but it can backfire nicely, too. So she may look small, but she looks lovely anyway, and as you said, it's something to work on

I'm really glad my bit of feedback on Keira's picture helped you with the shading here. It does look great and all tied in nicely, so great work there!

As for the sway back - I hope I don't make this a massive essay as I try to help again

First, that picture is a pretty good example for most people, because it is so, so extreme. Obviously Mystique is nowhere near that. Thank you for linking me to the breed standard image, though. I knew she was a dA breed, but I wasn't aware they had a specific conformation type (I assumed it was 'draft type' only). So actually, looking at their ideal breed standard for the draft type horse, I think you actually got her amazingly accurate. They do have this very low set back with a steep rise to their point of hip/croup and withers, leaving them with a bit of a bowl shape. Personally, I think that deep slope into the back isn't great; I'd be too worried about the curve of their spine, and I think it would increase likelihood of severe swayback into old age. But we have to remember that these are fantasy horses, so the rules aren't always the same.

I can try to give two bits of advice, really, but whether you go with either, or try your own way is entirely up to you.

First, you can forget about the ideal breed standard and use images of real life drafts and cold horses as references. Horses like Shires, Clydies and even thick set ponies can have some of that conformation to help you with drawing - basically the strong, short back, rounded quarters, deep chest and cresty neck (all elements that make up the 'topline'). I don't think any of these breeds have quite the shape to their backs as the Faime, but in art, you may find it easier to keep the back looking stronger.

Or, little adjustments in how you draw the back may help. To try it could be tricky and it would be a fairly subtle difference. But looking at the breed type again, the back does level out between the withers and croups. It drops more than I'd like, but it is sort of level. It isn't an actual curved shape between the two high points - which is a swayback. So you could work on keeping that deep back and high set hip, but just being careful to also keep the back somewhat straight. As I said, it could be a quite subtle difference and trying to get it could drive you nuts.

All that now out there, as I said, I didn't realise the breed had a specific desired conformation, and seeing their standard has quite a pronounced shape to it, I wouldn't take my first assessment too hard, as you actually did a good job of keeping it accurate to the breed, which I wasn't to know. So what you want to do with this is entirely in your ballpark. Maybe try it a few ways and see if one works for you best. The good news is that its only in tackless conformation images like this that you'll really notice. Images of her at an angle or ridden should hide the issue for you

If I didn't answer all your questions there, or that raised more, as always, ask away ^^

Haha, as for that leadrope, its definitely having fun But that's a nice quirk to this picture. Adds to the magic XD

You're welcome for the comment and feedback - I'm just sorry it took so long to respond again with the suggestions you asked for. My inbox is buried! Again

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ReQuay In reply to Tattered-Dreams [2014-01-14 23:30:00 +0000 UTC]

This is why I love your critiques, because they point out the little things (and make so much *doh* sense when you explain them) and give me a direction to move forward with my art. 

I actually really like both of your suggested ideas, and think that I'm going to try to very slightly incorporate both of them into my Faime drafts.  Since we both know that I am a huge reference user, following the base model of a regular draft (for my overall shape) will be easy enough to do.  And then, just adjusting the sketch slightly to try and keep a straighter/level (but deeper) back that transitions into a high set hip.   I might muck it up (more likely than not), but I think it's a great goal and you've given me a nice framework to approach each Faime drawing.  Thank you so much! 

I'm actually going to try and use this for my newest Faime drawing (yikes, I can't believe I picked up another horse... I have officially closed my stables [and pixel pony desires] to anything else until I get caught up developing a few of these characters, LOL).  We'll see how that goes...

And don't even worry, I know about buried inboxes.  I feel like I still can't catch up from the holidays.   

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Tattered-Dreams In reply to ReQuay [2014-01-14 23:44:51 +0000 UTC]

Aww, thanks I'm just glad you find them useful and that I make sense for you.

So its great that those suggestions are worth trying. I'm sure you won't muck it up too much - as with everything, it's a learning curve and things improve as you go. Honestly I think the breed standard doesn't help too much because it can resemble swayback, but now I know that (because I was ignorant before you linked me to it) I think you've done well so far. You can only get better Anyway, you're welcome for the bit of guidance ^^

Haha - you've discovered the issue every HARPGer faces, I believe. I intended on no more than 4 when I started out. Two years later and I'm at around 16 There's just so many designs and personalities that you want to bring to life and draw that they pile up. Best of luck with your self imposed cut off; and I look forward to what you come up with next

And you get a prize for the best emote I love that poor guy with his mountain of crushing books. But that is basically me - I have 31 replies to do, and 50 activity messages to file through...

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ReQuay In reply to TheCatHunter [2013-12-20 23:44:34 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.  And thanks for the too. 

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TheCatHunter In reply to ReQuay [2013-12-21 14:53:00 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome fore both

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ReQuay In reply to strideroo [2013-12-20 23:43:20 +0000 UTC]

Thankssssie.   

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ReQuay In reply to Cariannarz [2013-12-20 14:33:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much Dean!   

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ReQuay In reply to EspressoShots [2013-12-20 14:31:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much luv!  (<--- just for u)  I'm very happy with how she turned out. 
Thanks for the too. 

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ReQuay In reply to Ginskukka [2013-12-20 14:29:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!     And thanks for the too. 

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Ginskukka In reply to ReQuay [2013-12-20 14:42:59 +0000 UTC]

No proplem. c:

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ReQuay In reply to monymay14 [2013-12-20 02:28:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much hun!     And thanks for the too. 

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ReQuay In reply to Cillias [2013-12-20 02:28:14 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.   

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