Copycat. Dog. Pony

I accidentally stumbled across a trick class the other day, and this idea literally leapt into my head and wouldn't leave. Add that to the fact that I was talking to someone about mixed media and traditional art, and this happened I hope to get Djali an actual ref soon (she needs a showname, so ideas are welcome) but thankfully, I was told I could enter her without an official one yet.

---

Judged! Won the trick class

Show: Dreaminghorze Winter Pony Show
Host:
Stable: Lakewood Farm
Horse: Djali [No official Ref or showname as of yet...]
Handler: Becca Holland
Class: Tricks
Setting: Indoor Arena

I deliberately kept the background very vague and abstract, since I wanted the very focused feel, but I did use a bit of creative licence on the indoor arena where it takes place - so there's woodpanelled walls and a sandy type surface and I imagine the light comes from open windows fairly high up...

No story here, since I'd rather the picture just stand for itself. In essence, Djali's a sweet little pony but a quick learner with a sense of humour and a child-like wonder in some cases. Ace is usually too nuts to be around the horses, but Djali's playfulness - despite her age - suits her, and during their bonding sessions, Ace would stretch and Djali would try to copy her - so this trick was entirely learned by accident.

Because Djali has no ref I've just added this:

Other images:

Stats:

Name: Djali
Age: 11
Breed: Chincoteague
Height: 13hh
Colour: Chocolate-gold bay minimal tobiano
Markings: flesh marks on muzzle, seahorse blaze and wither/croup/neck marks. Uneven socks.

---

I haven't done traditional art for a little while, and I was inspired to do the sketch for this traditionally because of a recent discussion about traditional versus digital. So the sketch is unaltered, and roughly A5 size in rl. It was then set to multiply in PS and digitally painted underneath, almost entirely with the airbrush.

There are things that could be better - the forelegs look a little off, to me, and I'm not sure she looks like an actual pony. Dogs also aren't my strong point (Dalmatians, thankfully, fit my slender style for them okay) but Ace still could be better. Those things aside, I'm really happy with it and the effort I put in. The sketch I did a fair bit of tweaking on before scanning, and for a pose I've never done before, I like it on the whole. I really thought Djali's texture, particularly came out nicely and I threw in some darker dapples for kicks.

On a slightly different note, her face design changed a tad again and I think this one'll stick (but until she's official, who knows? XD). And you can finally see this side of her body, which I'm actually pretty happy with straight off.

Sketch without Digital painting can be seen here:


This has taken several hours - some today, and the sketch last night.
This used to help with the horse pose (along with some work with no ref): [link]
This used for the dog's pose: [link]
Art and characters copyright to *Tattered-Dreams
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.