The MLP Arena

Creativity => Arts & Crafts Corral => Topic started by: mlptfan on June 07, 2019, 06:22:34 PM

Title: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: mlptfan on June 07, 2019, 06:22:34 PM

I have been enjoying both the stories and artstyle of G4 (excluding the movie). As a long time fan of MLP in general, I didn't think much about getting myself an OC since it is so G4 specific, but since we are on the last season, what better way to remember the show in the future than to be part of it all?

What made G4 so great was the vector graphics artstyre, which at the time was considered "okay", using Flash to make television etc. But now when Flash support ends in 2020, it is impossible for them to use the same tools, and the show's creators will move away from this, probably to 3D animation (which I am not a fan of, it forces the expressions and angles of the character designs too much).

So I was having some fun in MSPaint one day (waiting for some download, getting restless), and accidentally drew a pony character that really got my attention. Very angular, small pupils, kinda unique compared the the more rounded designs of G4 ponies with their mandatory huge pupils. You don't get to see that mess today, bcause it was drawn with a mouse, and it is kinda outdated. However, I have since then reconstructed the character from multiple angles.

Meet my OC, earth pony Splashee:

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Larger: http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseA1.jpg (http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseA1.jpg)

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Larger: http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseZ1.jpg (http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseZ1.jpg)

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Larger: http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseB1.jpg (http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseB1.jpg)

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Larger: http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseC1.jpg (http://www.logotypes.se/tmp/MLPT/Splashee/PoseC1.jpg)

Why the name Splashee you say? It is just a fun name to pronounce. So what do you think?

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: brightberry on June 07, 2019, 06:48:37 PM

Wow!  You did a really good job.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: Nemesis on June 07, 2019, 06:56:41 PM

Nice work! I really like the anime-esque style of the hair. :)

You know, after all these years... I’ve still never drawn up a ponysona either. XD I have designs in mind, but I just never got around to sketching them, lol.

As for Flash animation being phased out... As I understand it, only the Flash plug-in will be gone—NOT the animation software or style. :) The old browser plug-in was riddled with security issues and general inefficiency. I believe vector/Flash animation on the other hand, is here to stay for as long as the style remains popular and financially viable. So don’t fret!—we hopefully won’t be stuck with CGI ponies in the near future (which would be... strange, I agree). :)

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: mlptfan on June 08, 2019, 01:26:50 PM

Quote from: brightberry on June 07, 2019, 06:48:37 PM

Wow!  You did a really good job.

Thank you very much! :)

Quote from: Nemesis on June 07, 2019, 06:56:41 PM

Nice work! I really like the anime-esque style of the hair. :)

You know, after all these years... I’ve still never drawn up a ponysona either. XD I have designs in mind, but I just never got around to sketching them, lol.

As for Flash animation being phased out... As I understand it, only the Flash plug-in will be gone—NOT the animation software or style. :) The old browser plug-in was riddled with security issues and general inefficiency. I believe vector/Flash animation on the other hand, is here to stay for as long as the style remains popular and financially viable. So don’t fret!—we hopefully won’t be stuck with CGI ponies in the near future (which would be... strange, I agree). :)

Thanks!! Yes I have definitely 'tried' to go for the anime style hair. I have not drawn much for many years, so I am still figuring things out. :)

I only knew from the programming side of Flash (action script stuff) that the support was ending, and that companies that used to rely on Flash has really tried to walk as far away from it as possible. I feel that could have an influense on the decision of using Flash for animation. Adobe (owner of Flash) really want to walk away from it as well according to the same sources. Again that is what I have heard, and it might be totally different with Hasbro and DHX/Top Draw. Let's pray they stay away from 3D animation (meaning 3D modeled ponies and in a 3D environment).

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: Teddy on June 16, 2019, 03:03:39 AM

Splashee is amazing! I love him!!! <3

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: banditpony on June 16, 2019, 06:25:56 AM

Eh? Flash is going away -- but animate CC is NOT going away. (Which is what the higher level of flash which evolved into it's own program in 2016). Also, theres other programs like toonboom. So there's no reason to think that the next version of MLP will be 3D because of the software.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: Mewtwofan1 on June 16, 2019, 10:04:27 AM

     It looks wonderful! I really enjoy the hairstyle you gave splashee.
As for flash animation, plugin support is being removed. However, as someone starting in the industry, animate cc (flash) is probably going to stick around for a while. It is cheap and easier to use, making it ideal for mass production like television. It might be phased out at some point, but for now it looks like it and toonboom will be the main ones. As someone who has also worked in 3d, I think a 3d generation might come someday, but not the next one. Ive worked with fan made models in blender 3d, and I find the results nice, but I don’t think 3d would work with my little pony.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: Griffin on July 23, 2019, 09:13:15 AM

Splashee is a fun name! I really like the anime-esque hair and the unique eye style! :)

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on August 03, 2019, 10:47:10 AM

I love the expression you have in these character sketches.  they are very balanced and well-composed.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: mlptfan on August 23, 2019, 07:30:14 AM

Thank you Griffin and lovesbabysquirmy for your kind words!

Mewtwofan1: Even so, Flash has been declining a lot over the past years. I can blame many things (Apple forcing the industry), but the trend is not looking good!

banditpony: I really hope so. But I fear 3D will win because of production time. Toonbloom I don't know anything about, but if it is the result of Rainbow Roadtrip special, I am skeptical (but that is mostly because of the rounder designs, the shading is kinda cool).

Teddy: Hi long time no see? :P
I know you like ducks so here you go, Splashee as a duck:

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I have made a speed drawing of Splashee from the side view. It takes about 5 minutes to watch. I draw using Photoshop with my slightly overpriced tablet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a4_gwSBN_0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a4_gwSBN_0)

And finally, Splashee reacting to me:

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Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: mlptfan on November 18, 2019, 01:19:31 PM

Baby how're you feelin?
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Feeling good as h*ll!

New generation is on its way, I was just having fun with that ridiculous commercial from last week.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: OleGrayMane on November 19, 2019, 05:29:25 AM

Great work, especially the eyes and the tip of the tail.

Quote from: mlptfan on June 08, 2019, 01:26:50 PM

Adobe (owner of Flash) really want to walk away from it as well according to the same sources.

About four years ago, an old co-worker and his husband came to town. We'd both worked at the same place back in the early 90s, but afterwards he got a job at Adobe and has worked there ever since. He told they recruited internally to get people to work on Flash and had few takers.

Title: Re: After 8 years of enjoying G4, I realized I don't have an OC...
Post by: Koudoawaia on November 19, 2019, 09:50:13 PM

I just love this design and all the angles you've drawn your new OC in^^