Humans, Lyra! Humans! Trying new things can be scary, and it takes a very brave sort of person to try them. All of you have that bravery, and you have it in spades. We're at Day 9 now, and the first real waves of fatigue are starting to set in. 'Can I do this?' 'What can I do today?' 'Can I keep it up all thirty days?' Yes, you can do it. I know you can, even though it's tough, because I know you care. You want to have fun. That's what we're here to do, after all. So when I tell you that today's gallery contains 572 exploratory and experimental ponies, I want you to understand that this number represents just how hard a thing these training grounds can be. I want you to understand how unbelievably proud I am of that number. Our grand total is now 7242. This is historic, ladies and gentlemen. It's never been done before. When August gives way to September, this will go down as one of the greatest creative efforts by a group of people ever. Hold your heads up high.
But we can do better. The Training Grounds can be better. If there's a problem with being a part of such a historically huge number of drawings, it's the feeling of being lost in the crowd. It's hard to stay motivated when it feels like nobody's watching, but we can fix this, and I'm going to lead the charge. Starting tonight, I have an extra bit of homework for each of you: as you click through the gallery, follow a couple of links back to their home galleries. And when you get there, leave a comment. You don't have to say much, just give a small compliment or point out how they might be able to improve some detail. To a burgeoning artist, this tiny little gesture can mean the world, and if we each find just a few pictures to do it for, it'll help us all become better and stronger. I'm going to be looking for images to comment on from now on. I hope you'll join me.
To submit for Day 9, follow this link to the submitter and fill out the form as per usual. You're a smart bunch, you know the drill by now. And remember, if you'd like to ask a question or chat with me, send me a line at [email protected] If you're asking about a late entry, though, please wait until our first make-up gallery is announced on Day 15. All ponies will be counted, this I promise.
For today, we're bringing back one of the most popular themes from last year, and something that's sure to get your motors turning: Draw a pony dressed as or from your favorite video game, movie, or book/Draw a media pony. Bonus challenge: how many of you are awesome enough to know about Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure? Come on, show me your moves!
As for tonight these New Horizons represent some of the most clever entries to date. I'm blown away by how much creativity you guys are bringing to this. Your ideas are wonderfully unique and charming. I'm eating them up. Which is starting to get unhealthy I think. Can art make you fat? I hope not...
