Art, Salvation, and some updates · 1:31pm Apr 9th, 2015
Hey folks,
So, Japan has been pretty awesome. That has nothing to do with today's post, which is all about artwork, a sneak-peak at the new Salvation chapter, and some updates about stories coming down the pipeline.
But it's true: Japan is awesome. For the rest of that stuff, see below the break.
First, artwork!
If you've been following me for a while, you know that I occasionally draw in addition to write. It's not something I spend as much time on, but it's a good break from the ordinary, and it's a different type of creativity from what I'm used to. For whatever reason, I went on a drawing kick the other week and turned out two new items.
The great thing about drawing for me is that I'm so terrible at it that each new work of art must, by default, result in an improvement to my skills or style. I think with each of these I managed some improvement:
1. How Long Have I Been Asleep
This will the base for the cover artwork for a sci-fi story I'm working on. Still in early development.
2. One Thousand Years and Change
You might have seen this one already over on GaPJaxie's story Modern Medicine, which I highly suggest you read if you haven't already. The image is based on his description of future-Twilight Sparkle, come back to the past to do great and wonderful things:
“I don’t think anything’s wrong,” a voice sharply cut into the conversation. Twilight, Applejack, Granny, Big Mac, and Caramel all looked up to the roof of the nearby barn. There, the strange mare could be seen, grinning down at all of them. On her high perch, her thin frame and large wings made her seem almost like a statue—an artist’s elongated representation of a pony, designed to emphasize lightness and motion. It was an emphasis that became clear when she leapt from the roof-top and—steering with her wings—landed beside the little group.
In case you're curious about such things, here's the two pencil sketches I came up with when brainstorming these ideas:
I can't find the cables for my scanner, so I had to take pictures with my phone. Eh, whatever works.
So, what else is coming down the line? Well, most importantly, the next chapter in Salvation is currently in draft. Since I'm so lazy about actually producing chapters on a timely basis, here's a snippet to prove that I'm really serious this time:
“Thirsty?”
Rainbow Dash blinked and looked up from the book spread out between her hooves. She was stretched out on the couch again, in the same position she had spent much of the morning with Rarity at her side. Even the book was the same, though she was quite a bit further through Sweetie Belle’s dog-eared copy of ‘The Collected Poems of Song Sparrow.’ The last line of a random stanza, one she had passed by pages ago, flitted through her head unbidden: Streak across the sky, you star with lancing light / and bring to shadowed shores surcease of night.
She blinked again and shook her head, chasing away the phantom thought. “Sorry, say again?”
Sweetie Belle quirked a smile at her from the kitchen doorway. “I said, ‘would you like a drink?’ I was thinking getting something for myself.”
Some water wouldn’t be bad, she decided. As a stunt flyer, she used to drink gallons of water a day just to keep from passing out during training or a performance. The past six sedentary months had weaned her from that habit, but if she was going to be flying again, she ought to start drinking again, even if it meant having to get up halfway through the night to pee.
“Yeah, that’d be awesome.”
“Great.” Sweetie vanished into the kitchen, and for a few moments the only sound in the room was the faint rustle of paper as Dash turned a page and the quiet hiss from the shower upstairs, where Rarity had already spent too much of her time and would, undoubtedly, spend much more before they saw her again.
Dash was almost lost in the book again when she felt the air beside her shift, and she turned to see a wine glass filled nearly to the brim with dark red liquid floating beside her, engulfed in Sweetie Belle’s pale green aura. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she reached out to take it before it could spill.
“Er, uh…” She glanced over to see Sweetie Belle settling down with another glass and the rest of the bottle both held in her magic. “Are you old enough for this?”
“I’m pretty close.” Sweetie Belle paused to take a sip. “Besides, wine is good for talking. Loosens the tongue, you know?”
What else is coming? In a few days I'll be publishing story anthology from the latest Writeoff, which I managed to take second place in. Horizon, as he is wont to do, managed to beat me again. After that I'll get back to finishing Salvation, get to work on the sci-fi story mentioned earlier, and a new long-form adventure.
Should be another productive year!
That bolded part there? Blatant lies.
So, looks like Sweetie is starting to channel her inner Rarity there. Looking forward to the new chapter!
And a SF story, and a long-form adventure... both of those sound very, very good.
That Twilight though.
super poni art + super poni words = renaissance pone
Very impressed, in other words. (I also enjoy these things.)
Also, I dub your Twilight, "Twiglet Sparkle" because she is so skinny!
...In a few days I'll be publishing story anthology from the latest Writeoff, which I managed to take second place in.
Modest.
Tied for Second, and also Third, Fourth, Seventh, Twelveth... You have to go all the way down to 27th place to find one of mine, and even then, I only managed to squeak above Balm (35th or so). You even beat my frog story with *everything* you submitted.
Can't wait for more Salvation.
A friend of mine went to Japan just yesterday.
I know nothing about How Long Have I Been Asleep other than that cover and the title, but wow do I want to read it.
>I'm drawing stuff.
Oh boy, it is actually good stuff, really good!
I'm going to Japan in October!
Please let me take a selfie with you.
God, the robo-pony in the first picture is amazing.
*anticipation intensifies*
You mean an old short-form comedy? I think that's what you meant.
Wait, you drew that Twilight? Heh. I saw it the other day on Derpibooru and commented on it. Didn't know you were the artist. Love that long-limbed, almost foalish style. Looks so neat.
Have you received fan-art for Salvation, CiG? If you have, it'd be cool to release a fan-art compilation blog when you release the final chapter.
¡Pretty!