crp_dude

Woo, Changeling Queens everywhere!

Ah, the pony to the right is indeed another OC! In this case, that is Emperor Mondo, ruler of La Itailia and Apis's father, making him by that extension Celestia and Luna's uncle.

And to answer your question, Erlen, while Canterlot does handle seasonal change, Spike doesn't say weather! Nay, Apis's dominion over wind is in full, just as Celestia's power over the sun isn't limited only to Equestria.

Meatloaf's a tedious practice, eh?

B-jaaaaaay

:'c

That armor looks downright scary, like he's getting ready for battle. At the very least, he doesn't look like somepony you'd go up and hug, thats for sure.

Well then if that's your perception of him, I can happily announce "Nailed it!"

Oh goodness, that is without a doubt THE CUTEST face I have ever seen! You did great!

I bring up because it just feels like to much is going to be going on. Like it will be clustered. Still I respect your decision. Maybe once it is cleaned up a bit it will look a bit better.

Once it's colored too, I'm sure. After all, this is all one color, and barely shaded at that. I can see how things here could blend together.

Go with less. Maybe a simple symbol in the middle or a few detail lines but not that much. Here take a look at a screen shot of some of the armor worn by guards. http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120425132023/mlp/images/thumb/8/84/S2E25_-_The_Captain.PNG/799px-S2E25_-_The_Captain.PNG The armor is less detailed especially on the hoof and chest. At most there is a few small symbols and detail lines but not much. So basically go with the idea of "less is more". Also I recommend looking up Trotsworth art work on Deviantart and his picture of Lord Solaris it will really help out with that idea.

Eeh, this is where I'm going to break off from the help wagon. Now, the helmet and the breastplate? Those I can change with no issues, that's easy, fine, etc. The armor, however, I have no intention of altering. In my eyes, it looks perfect for his character, and to be perfectly honest, those boot-things the Princesses and guards wear? I hate them. I hate the shape, I hate how they look. On Celestia and the guards, they're fine! But there's no way in hell anypony will ever get me to slap a pair of those on any of my characters. I'm sticking with the shape, but the design of the armor I could definitely redo.

Gave a shot at thickening the legs, like you suggested. I really like how this came out, so far! https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6962625/Alec%27s%20Things/MondoWIP2.jpg

If I were to change the chest plate, any ideas as to how I could change the way it's decorated?

yes I think that a cornucopia would be a wonderful cutie mark for showing that he has power over the plants that lead to the eventual harvests around the world.

*edit* well I did think of something that might be interesting. On his Yolk perhaps you could include nordic runes or have a germanic calendar running around it.

That sounds like a cool idea, but I'm actually dropping the yolk altogether. Here's the sketch of the WIP so far: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6962625/Alec%27s%20Things/MondoWIP.jpg any suggestions?

Well it is an interesting enough now that it is explained a bit better. So from what I am getting he has the ability to shape lands and make plants go in and out of hibernation. I personally would only go with one or the other because to many talents will make him seem like he has a Mary Sue like quality. As for him being all powerful and needing to keep his power in check is kind of a warning bell at Mary Sue description. Celestia has the power to move the sun which is basically the most powerful thing in the universe and she has trouble dealing with other creatures like Chrysalis and Discord so it is a bit over done to say that he is some super dangerous being if angered. Anyways with the description I think that maybe a change in color scheme might also be needed because both jobs seem to have something to do with earth so earthy colors might suite him better. (maybe have his mane be a leaf read and maybe have his coat be a light natural green/brown mix?) As for his cutie mark I would still say it needs a change maybe instead of a planet maybe make it mountains or vegetables.

Hmm. Yes, the terraforming I can drop for sure. I do see what you mean with the sue warning, so dropping the terraforming ought to eliminate that issue right there and then. As for color scheme, give me a bit on that, I'm actually redesigning him as we speak, to more suit that intimidation aspect I was talking about. But yes, plant behavior it is, and I'll see what I can do about the Cutie Mark. A cornucopia, you know, like one of those straw horn-like baskets with all the produce would probably be fantastic for him, and symbolic of both high powers and Earth's bounty. Thanks for the review, I'm liking this already!

eeeeehhhh he needs some work because right now he looks like a badly redrawn Celestia. ( Yes I read he is her uncle in the description but there can be some verity in how rulers look.) I think the first thing that needs to be redone is his cutie mark/job description. I say this because his marking contradicts what has already been shown in the show. If Celestia brings up the sun each day then there would be no need for the Planet to spin because it would be geocentric universe instead of a heliocentric. Also Winter wrap up stated that magic is what brings the seasons so that also contradicts his cutie mark. Perhaps his can be that he moves the stars across the night sky? or maybe he is in control of the tides of the oceans? (Though this might be a dangerous line to cross because that might fall under Luna's job) The next thing is the shoes and crown. Maybe have him wearing a helmet/or a male crown and a cape or something instead? As for the shoes, make them smaller more war like or have him have fetlocks. The yolk is some what interesting but could use a bit of a touch up. Finally the hair has got to go. I know that the wavy hair is a signature of the "Royal pony family" but It just does not work with his color scheme. If you are insisting on long hair then go with Prince blue blood style. Sorry if this is harsh but I figured it would be better to be honest then anything else. You might want to take a look at Italian king portraits to get a feel of what might work.

No no, the critique is perfectly alright! Honestly, I'm glad to hear that somepony suggested changing up the mane, because personally, I agree: the wavy stuff does not do the good stallion justice at all. However, I suppose there was a bit of confusion with his talent, so allow me to be more specific. When I say that he turns the earth, I mean that in a much more figurative, or at least partially figurative, sense. He is an earth-shaper, and when not keeping total control of his power, he can rearrange landscapes in very extreme ways with every step, hence the heavy presence of mountains and valleys in his land. Does this make him dangerous? Yes, absolutely. Keep in mind, though, his powers only come about when they are either not at all kept in check, or summoned upon specifically. He's been doing this for centuries, even millennia, after all, I'd personally be shocked if he didn't have a good grip on the wheel by now, if you follow. The seasons themselves is rather a theory on my own part. Magic is one thing, of course, but it's also important to note a change in air temperature as well, which more has to do with the weather than unicorn shenanigans. Now, making snowflakes, that's one thing, we already know what the pegasi do that, so that basically covers winter in terms of climate. Summer? Hot. Period. However, what about the trees and plants? They're in full bloom in the spring, bear fruit in the summer and fall, and, well, do what trees do and go into hibernation. Now, here's the slippery slope that I personally proposed. It's already been established that once a plant is planted, ponies can't do much to alter that. Heck, even the earth ponies, who are farming miracle workers are just as at the mercy of the plants they try to grow. I offer up Zap Apples as a bit of an exceptional example. However, what if there is indeed a force behind this? Cadence can repair a broken heart; heck, her power is basically love. Celestia raises the sun, Luna the moon. If these forces have a sovereign of their own (in more than one way in this case,) would the forces of earthly nature not have a master as well? This is why I specified that he holds control over the natural seasons: His magic changes the plants and woods of the world to fit the season, be they bringing into bloom, or dropping everything they have in preparation for a long wintry hibernation. An emphasis I need to stress on Emperor Mondo is that his power is not in some ball in the sky, not in a word spoken to another or a powerful feeling shared. His power instead is right beneath your hooves. It is in the earth. It is the earth. All the land's bounty is sustained by his powers, and from those bounties, life survives. Mind you, he can't make plants die whenever he wants, and he can't instantly plant a seed and have it become, say, a beanstalk that stretches into the sky. His control over plants is a passive control: he cannot force them, but he can change their behavior.

Enough with the explanation of his talent and such, though I'd love to hear your feedback on that theory. As for the design, I think I definitely will look into more historical portraiture. Though to be honest, Mondo doesn't strike me as the helmet type, and full crowns on a pony just look off to me. Ah well, if I can make it work I will. Anyways, get back to me if you could, your advice and suggestions are always appreciated!

Looks like a emo Celestia..XD

Actually, this is an interesting and valid point to bring up! In terms of rulership, he is at an equal, if not greater, level of authority compared to his subjects as the princess Celestia of Equestria. However, when put in terms of personality, with Celestia being casual and kind to her subjects, Mondo is intended to be a very intimidating figure on his own, and one obsessed in past rituals and practices. In fact, he has his mind stuck in the past for the most part anyways, and this leads him to often hold grudges. He is a strict and unforgiving ruler to those that trespass his will, but he is no tyrant, and puts his laws as the ponies dictate and within the realm of reason. To this effect, I actually did base his design (as is obvious enough) at least in part off of Celestia's, to communicate the fact that Mondo is not just a parallel, but also an antithesis to our fair leader of Equestria.

Checking the pic before with all the outlines and such, you've got the structure and layering of the clothes perfectly! The only thing that strikes me as off is the wings, but that is an insanely easy problem to fix. Keep in mind that wings when they're folded are actually in a tear-drop shape! See? http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6962625/Alec%27s%20Things/bl4nkfl4nk.jpg

B-b-bottom lip... I...

Yes.

B, this is beautiful. Such attitude! Such pizzaz!

I can already see the general pattern behind these camels, I think you designed them very well! The eyes don't click to me, but that's just me, again.

Eheeheehee! Is so adorable, I love it!

Yet another excellent show of art skills! I stand by my opinion that your art style is fantastic! What do you use? Looks like Flash to me, but I could be wrong!

Huh. Lineless, smooth, nicely gradiated... I gotta say I really like your artstyle for this character!

Oh jeez, Scoot's looking pretty enthusiastic. I can understand why Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom might be a little worried about her when she's making... that face.

This is a nice picture! Sad that it can't work out for the banner, but still very well done! Definitely better than I can do in a day right now, but hey, nowhere to go but up, right?

Oh my, this is fantastic! Thank you, so so much!