Status Update: In Search of Artists · 12:37pm Jul 28th, 2017
Back when I was an active writer, I'd always look to pictures for inspiration - be it fanart or just shots from the show itself. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I find that's usually not the case... sometimes you can get 5,000 out of one or more.
As I've started working on Exchange's new bonus chapter... or more like bonus arc, as the bonuses so far have been quite hefty, I've found myself turning to artwork again for inspiration, or just to re-familiarize myself with the characters. I'll admit, it's been quite some time since I've followed the show or the fandom, so I'm very out of touch with who or what is out there now in terms of fan content. But hopping over to the Celestia thread on ol' /mlp/, it was heartening to find that great artwork is still being produced. I also found this screengrab from the show while I was there, which caused me to smile just as brightly as ol' Sunhorse:
Look at that face. Just look at it. What a cutie! It's so much fun to be writing about her again.
As I go through the process of putting together the physical versions of Exchange and Pirate Hats & Homemade Kites, I've come to realize the need for artwork in order for the physical versions to really shine. As a result, I'm interested in commissioning several artists to help put things together, and am looking for recommendations from people more in-tune with the fandom than myself.
For the PH&HK novel, I'm looking for an artist willing to do multiple images in black and white, roughly one per chapter, and a color cover. I doubt the inset images will need to be anything fancy, but I think having them will help add to the children's book feel that the two stories have.
For Exchange, I'm not yet certain on whether inset art is feasible, so I'm not worried about that for the time being, but for the cover art, I'm looking for a talented artist that's also good at doing landscapes. One of the unique things about the story is the many fantastic locations the characters visit, and I envision a cover image for it that encompasses the front, spine, and back in order to really stand out.
If you happen to know any good artists seriously willing to take one of these projects on, or happen to be one yourself, please contact me. I understand an artist's time is valuable, so the compensation will be generous should we work something out.
And, if nothing else, feel free to post cute Celestia pics below. They're always good for inspiration.
pre04.deviantart.net/2c0e/th/pre/i/2016/346/4/6/cakelestia_by_buttersprinkle-dareodl.png
love u bby
Cute Celestia pics are my favourite.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/25/1494348.gif
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/25/1494353.jpeg
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/17/1488500.jpeg
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/7/1480931__safe_artist-colon-begasus_princess+celestia_alicorn_crown_female_jewelry_large+wings_looking+at+you_mare_pony_raised+hoof_regalia_smiling_solo.jpeg
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/7/1481117.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/5/1479067.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/6/28/1473444.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2016/8/24/1233050__safe_artist-colon-dragonademetal_princess+celestia_alicorn_bust_crown_eyeshadow_featured+image_female_gold_horn+jewelry_horn+ring_jewelry_lidd.jpeg
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/6/27/1473004.png
There's more, there's always more, but I will leave it at that for now.
4615734
luv u 2
And oh, if only you knew how relevant that picture is to what's in the works!
4615745
Thanks, I love these! There's so much great art of her floating around.
I had no idea you had more planned. A welcome surprise.
fimfiction is my only link to the fandom anymore as well.
img15.deviantart.net/7260/i/2015/195/5/b/princess_celestia_by_akivia_jones_404-d919f5z.png
Oh my god that means you might have read my long post in that thread responding to pic related. I'm always down for cute images of sun horse.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/11/1483641__safe_artist-colon-11-dash-shadow_princess+celestia_alicorn_clothes_cute_cutelestia_female_hoodie_looking+at+you_mare_pony_sitting_solo_underho.png
Can't help you with the art thing. Can't wait for the extra chapters though! More Celestia is always good!
May I ask what you thought of "A Royal Problem?"
4616596
I feel you. I'm pretty reclusive when it comes to this pony stuff, and aside from encouraging other writers whose work I've enjoyed from time to time, I'm not really active much here either. Not being in any cliques means tracking down artists who would either be familiar with, or willing to read the source material is difficult. I won't give up, though! I'm sure there's someone out there willing to take my cold, hard ca$h for some horse pics!
4616658
Actually I didn't, but since you mentioned it I went back and found it. I think that it was beautiful, thank you for sharing it. It certainly made me consider my own interpretation of the character more deeply.
4616698
Haven't seen it. I think the last episode I watched was the Maud one in season 4. (Which was cute.)
4616741
Yeah dropping off mid season was probably for the best. The show started losing it's lighting (in the bottle) after season 2, but it took a nose dive after season 4. I only pop in for season opening and finals now in a vain hope of getting a spark of what made the show so great. Based on what little I've seen, Celestia has been getting a little more love. They showed a flashback of her being anxious about sending Twilight to ponyville in the first episode.
4616741
I see. TBH it seems like the really good episodes are getting sparser anyway. There are a few good ones, but if you're happy where you are, then its probably not a big loss.
Obligatory picture
img06.deviantart.net/aa28/i/2016/238/0/1/celestia__car_print__by_cannibalus-dafe1mv.jpg
hope you don't mind me, heard there was need for Celestia.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/19/1489877__safe_artist-colon-symbianl_princess+celestia_alicorn_animated_cute_cutelestia_female_mare_one+krabs+trash_parody_pony_reference_sillestia_sill.gif
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/7/18/1489170__safe_artist-colon-underpable_princess+celestia_princess+luna_alicorn_blushing_crying_cute_cutelestia_duo_female_floppy+ears_laughing_lightbulb.png
and wow.. now those are some plans alright. Best of luck! :)
It aint much but here, have some sketches.
i.imgur.com/wnlSy4r.jpg
i.imgur.com/VbNsJ3O.jpg
i.imgur.com/kgkuzpQ.jpg
i.imgur.com/xXrjjYW.jpg
Glad to hear your coming back around, Exchange has always been one of my favorites.
Those who've done a good Celestia:
http://falleninthedark.deviantart.com/
http://stepandy.deviantart.com/
http://silfoe.deviantart.com/
http://equestria-prevails.deviantart.com/
http://momomistress.deviantart.com/
http://yakovlev-vad.deviantart.com/
Those who are just good:
http://discordthege.deviantart.com/
http://devinian.deviantart.com/
http://ruhje.deviantart.com/
http://asimos.deviantart.com/
http://viwrastupr.deviantart.com/
http://rain-gear.deviantart.com/
http://huussii.deviantart.com/
look through http://poniesplus.deviantart.com/
There's plenty of more good artists out there. These are just a some of the ones I know, and I guess a good way to start is what kind of art style are you looking for? The artists I've listed for Celestia are ones with experience detailing her interactions, and can focus the story on the romance. The guys listed as just good are those that can do amazing backgrounds, which would capture the beauty and epic nature of the story, such as the airship chase and the various trials of the temple. On the other hand, if you want to emphasize motion and action, you'd might consider a comic artist like http://thedracojayproduct.deviantart.com/.
I hope these will help point you in the right direction. I'll keep an eye out for more artists, I know I've missed a good lot of them.
Warning, some of the artists do NSFW stuff, so heads up when you browse their stuff.
4618401
You. Are. A. GODSEND!!!!!
Thank you so much, this is a great place for me to start. I knew someone would come through!
fuck yes.
4618844
I know its an extreeeeeemly late reply but..... glad to help. So any idea on which artist you're going for? I could probably throw a couple more names your way if you need it.
4668009
Ah, no worries! It was indeed very helpful!
I think ultimately what it'll come down to is who's currently available for commissions, but there's definitely some serious talent on display here and some excellent landscape work in particular! It's going to be tough to frame out exactly what I'm looking for as I'm not quite sure how to articulate it myself. I'm also not sure of the actual book dimensions, which hinders things too. I need to stop slacking and get my ass in gear on it, though, and will do so as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
If you have any more suggestions, feel free to post 'em!
4668546
Here ya go!
https://rodrigues404.deviantart.com/
https://fensu-san.deviantart.com/
https://vest.deviantart.com/
https://assasinmonkey.deviantart.com/
https://zheddel.deviantart.com/
https://magnaluna.deviantart.com/
https://paperdrop.deviantart.com/
https://madhotaru.deviantart.com/
Mind that a couple of these guys tend to do a lot of clop art (PussPuss), but the skills there none the less. I would personally point out Vest, assasinmonkey, magnaluna and madhotaru, as those of interest.
When it comes to finding an artist, dont be afraid to contact them to ask questions. It doesn't hurt to ask, and nice big multi-piece commission can be quite tantalizing. Also dont be afraid to drop the name of the story, the artist might be a fan and open the door to possible deals; or they might possibly become interested in the story. The point is, play the long game. Ask around and see who would be open to the idea in the future and then hammer out the details.
As for the describing the scenes, just give them descriptions from the story! You paint a pretty great picture in most cases and would probably only need to throw in a few details. Another idea would be to make some basic sketches of your own, give the artist a better idea of the environment. Hell, I would throw in some sketches if I ever find the time.
The point of this whole spiel, take your time and dont be afraid to ask!
That all said, Im just going to throw a personal request out there... please dont make Anon a green faceless guy in a black suit. I know you dont really describe him in order to keep him vaugue, but pleeeaaaase no green.
4686568
Thank you so much for the additional suggestions and great advice. I am new to this process so I'll be sure to ask questions as needed.
And no need to worry, I'm not a fan of the green guy in a suit aesthetic either! I want the art to focus on the pony characters. But we can't leave him out completely, so in order to keep up the illusion of a reader insert, I'm going to request that at most we only ever see his silhouette.
4686609
Hmm... maybe just a silhouette of an arm or hand here or there? Keep him out of the frame for the most part?
4689313
Yeah, for the inset art for PH&HK, stuff like that would work great. You could also do a scene with the camera pulled way back or play with the lighting to show his whole frame without revealing anything. I'm no artist and don't really know much about good visual composition, but I'm sure that there are many creative ways it could be pulled off.
4689326
You might want to search around in Japanese manga for ideas. I'm almost certain that there's a whole "anonymous male protagonist" genre for it. Been a while since I've searched though.
4689348
4689326
wxnut is right, I dont remember the name of the effect (If it even had one), but but comics such as Hentai, tend to keep the protagonist vague so its easier for the viewer to place themselves as the character. Supposedly, by limiting the details like keeping the face blank or keeping the body as a silhouette, there are less details that the brain has to distort for a self insert like effect. Its about balancing the details, having more during slower scenes where the viewer if paying close attention to the characters, and having less details when when the viewers would be paying less attention on the protagonist. While this is good and all for comics, where there is scene after scene keeping the viewers eye moving, I can not say how well it would work for single images.
As wxnut stated, scenes with odd angles that display portions of the body can work wonderfully, as well as first point of view, but Iḿ not sure If that would work consistently. Maybe mix up methods here and there so viewers do not end up feeling like a stalker.
Definitively something to talk about to someone with comic experience.
That said, here have more artists!
https://tomatocoup.deviantart.com/
https://nemo2d.deviantart.com/
Il make it impossible to choose one! mwahahahaha!
Sorry one more.
https://discordthege.deviantart.com/
Ill stop soon, promise..... maybe.
4698951
No, if you've got more keep 'em coming! This is an excellent find!
4698989
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/11/5/1578504__safe_artist-colon-greyscaleart_princess+celestia_twilight+sparkle_blep_bust_palette+swap_pony_portrait_recolor_silly_silly+pony_simple+backgro.png