• Artist Training Grounds VIII Final Gallery


    Well my friends, that's a wrap! Another ATG has come and gone, resting and waiting for next year to greet you all (and new friends) once again. As always when the ATG ends I'm saddened, not only because it usually means it is the end of the summer for me, but mainly because I have to wait a year to do this all over again. The ATG has always been my favorite event and every year I get to know the artists participating just a little bit better.

    While I may not draw myself, I do follow all of your journeys and it has been amazing to watch you all experiment and grow over these past 30 or so days. And as with every ATG I couldn't be more proud to watch you all tackle the prompts with gusto.

    Now for some of you I know the hard part begins as there are no more prompts to be had to help guide you with your drawing. No more deadline to help force you into the habit of creating a piece. That's why I do have some help for you all tonight to keep the creative flow going!

    If you're in need of prompts, I highly suggestion the Artist Training Grounds Alumni Group which post a new prompt weekly for artists to complete. You can find them here.

    For those of you that gain motivation from talking with other artists or just want some feedback on your work I highly recommend joining the Discord channel we had running for the ATG here.

    Finally, if you just need someone to talk to or dish out some encouragement, you can always find me on Twitter @CalpainEqD

    For our final day we brought in a total of 97 ponies giving us a grand total of 4149 ponies added to the world! An impressive showing everyone, I can only hope next year we do just as good.

    Now, without further ado, our final ATG gallery after the break!




    3 Equestria Daily Artist Training Grounds 30a - meto30

    Art image 3
    The last prompt connects the story brought forth by the ATG with the planned "Looking for the Sirens" story that I will execute in the future. I'm yet unsure of the medium it would be in; a comic form would play to my strengths (little though they may be), but I'm more leaning towards a "light novel" form with lots of illustrations, because drawing all of the content in a comic would take months to complete. I'll post any updates on this DeviantArt gallery.

    4 Equestria Daily Artist Training Grounds 30b - meto30

    Art image 4
    The last prompt connects the story brought forth by the ATG with the planned "Looking for the Sirens" story that I will execute in the future. I'm yet unsure of the medium it would be in; a comic form would play to my strengths (little though they may be), but I'm more leaning towards a "light novel" form with lots of illustrations, because drawing all of the content in a comic would take months to complete. I'll post any updates on this DeviantArt gallery.

    5 A graduating horse. - RainbowDash1804

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    This ATG thing was fun. Would participate again.

    6 Zzzzz - RD4590

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    I managed to complete the whole ATG by drawing only one pony. HAHAHA! XP

    7 ATG 30 - Till Derp Do Us Part - PixelGrip94

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    Best ship getting married. I'll leave it at that.


    9 Cozy Glow - Pzsoldi

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    Still evil in my book.

    10 Graduates ahoy! - FreshlyPositive

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    I had a lot of fun this year and I am hoping more will come soon also CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYPONY!

    11 Graduation - Lou

    Art image 11
    We did it, finally made it. I didn't complete all the days, but I hit my goal of 25 days, with 17 of those in a row. I've drawn more in the last month than I have ever in my life. (Which includes additional drawings outside of the ATGD) It was a lot of fun, if not rather stressful trying to find the day on certain days.
    Here's hoping I continue. Thanks Calpain / EQD.

    12 Spirit Life tries to move on - Horceye

    Art image 12
    Spirit Life realised that she couldn't run away anymore. She decided to move on with her life and try to solve her conflict. She has taken the first step in a new better life.



    14 Final Day! - Zypdv-HP

    Art image 14
    Last year, I managed only one third of the prompts. And this year, I tackled all. Even though I'm not really good at drawing, I feel good for having created things and accomplishing this.
    During this session, I've drawn unfamiliar items, topics, characters, poses, perspectives, expressions... things I never did. Moreover, since I tend to spend tons of time trying to perfect my creations, submitting daily is a good challenge for me. And coming up with ideas, too.
    I'm feeling alive. Thanks, Calpain. I had fun.
    And now I can get more sleep.

    15 Fluttershy's Graduating - GoggleSparks

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    May color this later.

    16 ATG Day 30: New Chapter In Life - Linzi Howard/ Creative Blossom

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    Will be later replaced with the digital version. John helping Jezebel start a new chapter in her life, to make herself feel like everything wasn't entirely her fault. It's gonna be emotional for them both, but he knows they'll manage it.


    18 Top Bolt - M.W.

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    20 Winter Winds Graduates - Summer Gem

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    For the last day I decided to draw Winter Winds graduating from flight camp. I really enjoyed participating in the ATG for the first time. I learned quite a bit and my skill rose tremendously. Hopefully for next year I'll be able to submit some digital art.


    22 Graduation Day - Erika Williams

    Art image 22
    Since today is Graduation Day, I decided to try to move on to Equestria Girls images. I think I might stick with the ponies for a little while longer.

    23 Graduation day! (Thanks ATG!) - LennyStendhal13

    Art image 23
    Ok, so: I've re-written this description three times trying to find a poetic enough way to say how much I've loved participating in the ATG for the second time, but I am too sleepy and too tired right now to do that properly! xD

    Let me just say: just like last year, I had a lot of fun with the prompts, both when drawing my own pictures and when looking at what everyone else managed to come up with :D

    Even though I've drawn half of the pictures I had drawn last year, I believe I've still learnt a lot of things from this experience, drawing with digital media being the main example,. I'm really happy I could be once again part of this wonderful event that brings together artists from all over the world, each with their own skills and weaknesses, and encourages them to get better and better :)

    For all of this (and for much more that my tiredness doesn't allow me to put into words xD), thank you so much ATG! It was once again a pleasure and an honor! :3

    24 Graduation - bobthedalek

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    25 Valedictorian - banterlot

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    Cold Brew is many things, but a riveting orator is not one of them. All you get is 2,000 words in the exact same tone.

    26 An Idea - don

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    27 Viciz Graduation - Settop

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    I'm glad to have reached the end and done most of the days.
    Thanks to Calpain for running this.

    28 Spike the Washout - don

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    Think this will impress her?

    29 poor guy - don

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    31 poor guy - don

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    32 FLUTTER BLAT! - don

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    33 NATG2018 - DAY 30 - Graduation Day - DarkDabula

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    "Hip Hip Horrraaaaayyyy !!!"

    34 ATG VIII Graduation - Tun Rae

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    What in Equestria possessed me to make a cheap animation as my graduation picture XD

    35 ..Finished trice - MaiSky

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    36 This years journey comes to an end. - Ragmo

    Art image 36
    30 days of little ponies each day. Thisy year it was quite exhausting for me: 50 days of WoT Event, 2 days of GALACON!!! (+1 day arival and leaving each) and right now its Eurofurence for me.

    But again, I enjoyed this years journey a lot. 30 ponies in 33 days - more than I do for the rest of the entire year :P

    Like last year I want to thank Equestriadaily for giving everyone a chance, regardless of their skill, to draw and to be seen.
    I tried out some new things on a couple of days - sometimes they worked, sometimes they didnt.
    This year i, again, started with using references and over they course of those 30 days i used them less and less and worked with what i've learned.
    So a big THANK YOU to Equestriadaily for this years NATG, looking forward for hopefully a NATG IX next year in 2019.

    And I forgot her Cutiemark... on the last day... <.<

    37 Day 30 - Graduation Day Diploma! - SadTrooper

    Art image 37
    Well last submission for the event, it was absolutely awesome this 30 days of pony drawing, i really enjoyed it very much, and will be waiting for the next year to come!

    38 Graduation - ZetaMad

    Art image 38
    yay! finally the last
    It has been a pleasure to participate in this year's ATG ^^

    39 To the next adventure! - Versatex

    Art image 39
    Apple Bloom, ready to begin a new chapter, and eager to face it head-on.

    40 Graduation - Minty Treble

    Art image 40
    GRADUATION, AT LAST!!! ATG was a wild ride!!! it's very difficult to find time everyday to draw, specially if you are a slow drawer, like myself. Still, this was a beautiful experience <3 :d="" and="" brings="" draw.="" faces="" feeling="" forgot="" future="" had="" how="" human="" i="" let="" like="" liked="" m="" monsters="" much="" need="" now="" other="" s="" see="" sketck="" the="" things="" to="" wait="" what="">

    41 Graduation day - bluecrow

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    Thus came graduation day but, alas! Luna was not used to be out at this time of the day...



    44 Lemon Heart's Quest! - The Vintage Pone

    Art image 44
    As Lemon Hearts sets out on hers quest, she remembers what lead her up to here.

    I thank you Equestria Daily staff for allowing us to do this and expand our creativity! :)

    45 Pony Culture - TheArticPegasus

    Art image 45
    So this was initially supposed to be for the makeup day, but I unfortunately ran out of time. However, despite this being meant for Day 22 (Culture), I actually do find this to be a graduation for me. Around the same time last year I posted a group drawing of the mane six for Autumn. Looking back on it, I see how each year marks a new chapter of art in my life. This picture especially represented that for me. <3 a="" about="" art="" as="" autumn="" click="" drawing="" feel="" for="" free="" here="" https:="" i="" image="" itself="" little="" more="" picture="" s="" the="" thearticpegasus="" to="" utumn-walk-706174526="" well:="" www.deviantart.com="">

    46 Stardust Graduates from NATG - TaichiKeaton

    Art image 46
    Princess Luna presents Stardust with her very own diploma for graduating from this year's NATG. :D
    Stardust is excited to not only get her diploma, but getting to meet Luna too.


    48 New Chapter For Equestria - Pone-Dancer

    Art image 48
    The final day of Artist Training Grounds. I'll miss it so much...
    It's my first time actually participating in this event, and it was so much fun! I found a bunch of artists to follow as they progress in their art styles as well. Can't wait til next year!!

    This prompt was pretty open-ended. Starlight Glimmer has started a new chapter in her life, her one true calling: Communism!
    Princess Celestia supports her radical views wholeheartedly.

    Sidenote: I do not condone Communism for ponies. This image is a visual joke, gag, etc. and shouldn't be taken seriously.

    49 Season 8 finale spoilers (I'm Joking, I don't know anything about finale) - Starlight Flux

    Art image 49
    I think Starlight Glimmer becoming an Alicorn counts as a pony starting a new chapter in their life, but just to make sure I drew her graduating from Alicorn University. Also as this is my last entry for the ATG, I thought I'll do a full digital colour one this time.

    50 Graduation! - Stone39

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    Looks like Ruby is finally graduating from Mythica University! Hooray!

    51 2018 ATG VIII - Day 30 - Graduation - KirbyLiscious

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    "A little while ago, my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about. But now, on a day like today, I can honestly say, I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you. Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends; thank you everypony!" ~Twilight Sparkle

    52 Graduation - Allonsbro

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    56 Tvælåt graduation - Artiks

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    Thanks for running the event! Was both very fun and exhausting.

    57 30 days and more - ToisaNeMoif

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    I wasn't able to participate for all of the days, but I still had a lot of fun

    58 Ebony's Cutie Mark Story - EbonyCrystal1986

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    Aand as the title says, there's a story behind this one, too, but again you'll have to click the link to read it. It's an important part to Ebony's backstory, though so I hope you'll give it a read. :3

    While I didn't do as many prompts as I had hoped, I'm still proud of the ones I did over the past few weeks, and I plan to put everything I've learned into practice in the future, too. I hope you guys enjoyed my pics from this year's ATGs, and I definitely plan on attending the next one when it comes around next year! :3

    59 Graduation to Job Blur - Ebby Sharp

    Art image 59
    An attempt for both prompts, though this looked better in my head...

    This whole event was fun. With the show entering its final days, I knew I would regret not trying some involvement in this fandom. This ATG, my first, pushed me to attempt new things, which was exhausting, but rewarding. Given the opportunity, I would definitely try this again.

    Thanks to the EQD folks for hosting this and thanks to the other submitters this past month for sharing their efforts and for being inspirations in drive and discipline. It really was easier to sit down and participate knowing that there were many others out there spending valuable time in this exercise for self-improvement.

    In short, all of you are great, so thanks for being great!

    60 ATG VIII Day XXX - RizDub

    Art image 60
    If you think about it, graduating in and of itself is kind of the start of a new chapter of life!
    My first attempts at drawing three of the Student Six!
    Almost forgot to submit it!

    61 Dr. Dashie - WerdKcub

    Art image 61
    You did it!


    63 Compassion - T72B

    Art image 63
    Diamond Tiara realizes she no longer has to lash out at others to get what she thought she wanted. Sweetie Belle shows her another way.

    Its been another fun event. I tried to work on my coloring (something Im not to good at) for this round, and I do think I have learned a little.

    And as always its been great to see everyone elses contributions.

    64 - sharpshadowxii

    Art image 64
    This isn't much better than last year's. Urgh.


    66 - aeman

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    68 ED: ATG-Day 30: Good Morning - Addelum

    Art image 68
    This is a homage to Kanye West's "Good Morning".

    69 Again, Towards Glory! - B.J. Dazzle

    Art image 69
    The trio may have GRADUATED from their delivery misadventure, but there's still one loose end that is bugging Lyra like crazy. Not willing to accept not knowing, she gets ready to start a NEW CHAPTER in the journey, dragging her friends along with her as she sets off to uncover the truth once and for all!

    And thus the tale of the Accidental Transit Guardians finally comes to a close. It's been a crazy journey, and I'm so glad I was able to make it! I'm glad to have been able to participate in the Artist Training Grounds again this year, and take some of my favorite ponies on this journey for all to see. Considering the fact that I improvised pretty much the ENTIRE story, I think it turned out pretty well! ...It WAS a lot of work though, and while I don't at all regret doing it, if and when I participate in the ATG next year, I'll probably go back to drawing self-contained single-panel comics like I did last time.

    70 Ponyblanca-color version - Benjamin Eric Berlin

    Art image 70
    Inspired by a comment I saw on a comic I am following on Deviant art, I decided to make a drawing based upon one of the most famous quotes from one of the most famous movies in movie history. My original idea was to use Big Mac and Sugar Belle, but then in my pencil sketch, I noticed a strong resemblance to the much older couple of Mr. and Mrs. Igneous Rock Pie (nee Cloudy Quartz) which I found both fitting and ironic, and my headcanon regarding this decision is that before they got married and had kids they were both in the pictures (I think that's what they used to call movies) but once she became pregnant with Limestone they decided to leave this life far behind and used their saved money to purchase the rock farm.

    71 Ponyblanca-original film version - Benjamin Eric Berlin

    Art image 71
    Inspired by a comment I saw on a comic I am following on Deviant art, I decided to make a drawing based upon one of the most famous quotes from one of the most famous movies in movie history. My original idea was to use Big Mac and Sugar Belle, but then in my pencil sketch, I noticed a strong resemblance to the much older couple of Mr. and Mrs. Igneous Rock Pie (nee Cloudy Quartz) which I found both fitting and ironic, and my headcanon regarding this decision is that before they got married and had kids they were both in the pictures (I think that's what they used to call movies) but once she became pregnant with Limestone they decided to leave this life far behind and used their saved money to purchase the rock farm. In this one, I decided to make a homage to the original film by recoloring everything in black and white tones.

    72 Graduation - Frith

    Art image 72
    How many other twisted minds do we have so far in this gallery, opting for graduated glassware? None! Victory is mine! So long and au revoir Training Grounds, until next year!

    73 Mane 6 Graduation ATG 2018 - DeluxeFlame

    Art image 73
    So sad I ran out of time, Needed to fix a lot more things with proportions.

    But hey! Congrats to all Grads this year!


    75 Graduation in True College Fashion - Xander

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    Nailed it! Life happened, but I was determined to finish so I decided to do everything I missed all at once for the last day since I finally had time. Going out with a bang! It's been fun!:D

    76 Graduation Closeup - Xander

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    Here is a close-up specific to day 30. Close-ups of others will be on my deviantArt. WE DID IT GUYS!/)/)

    77 Colleagues - Novaintellus

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    Who's the valedictorian? -->
    Notice me, Senpai <3 i="">

    78 I am starting my ask blog!! - PfH Mod

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    My submission for the EQD ATG 2018 day 30: Draw a pony graduating / Draw a pony starting a new chapter in their life. This is one of my first comics ever, my 3rd gif ever, and reopening this blog

    I might be done with the daily prompts but I will be starting my Tumblr ask blog! It has been my dream for 3 years to do this and with all the adversary of work I managed to do ALL 30 prompts on time-ish. This is my motivation to make .gifs and actually see this ask blog all the way though! I am so proud of graduating and making even more happen

    79 Trek Pone Graduates from Twilight's School - dafiltafish

    Art image 79
    What a month it has been. I feel good knowing that what I've started here will carry on for the foreseeable future!

    I will be back next year, I can't wait to see how I've improved, and how all of you have improved!

    (Twilight's pupils are kinda garbage, but due to how she's layered, it would be simpler to re-draw her, I just don't have the time)


    81 ATG 2018 [Day 30]|Graduation! - BluestFlames

    Art image 81
    This is my drawing for the Artist Training Grounds on Equestria Daily!

    Today's prompt was to: Draw a pony graduating / Draw a pony starting a new chapter in their life.

    So I drew a bunch of ponies graduating!


    83 An End of a Chapter - Sigmath Bits

    Art image 83
    And with that, the end of NATG VIII! Certainly been a small wild ride for me this year, but it was worth it.
    Congratulations to each person who participated! Even if for a day.

    84 Graduated - RhythmPixel

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    Of course today is the busiest day out of them all, but with only an hour left I did it!
    All 30 days done on the assigned days. Thanks to the people who left kind words throughout the month!
    Progress or not, it was fun and a little frustrating to do the prompts, but it was about the challenge for me at least to stay on topic for each drawing everyday. Also to make the drawing nice enough to satisfy myself in a limited time.
    Thanks to Calpain for the event! Their time and commitment is appreciated very much.



    87 3rd Times the Charm - Binky T.

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    See you all next year! And remember, don't stop drawing! <3 i="">

    88 Disappointing ending - Mister Twister

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    YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE, GENNDY!

    89 Triad Bebop Prism Cross-Fractor Buster - MorphiusX

    Art image 89
    Alright Thunder Blight, if you want my colours, THEN YOU CAN TAKE THEM!!
    トライアド ビバップ プリズム クロスフラクタル バスター!!
    & THAT WAS FOR STEALING MY SIGNATURE"S COLOURS!!


    91 Consolation Prize - MorphiusX

    Art image 91
    Welp, not like I even had enough time to finish all the pieces but here you go. AND ANOTHER Reccomendation to these fine folks who've actively been on the ATG, moreso than I did.

    92 NATG Final! - Krash42

    Art image 92
    Final day! I hope everyone had a blast drawing cartoon horses every day for the past month, I absolutely did!
    (Except for the 3 days I didn't...)
    And I hope to see you all next year!

    93 You did it - RedQuoz

    Art image 93
    Congrats everyone!

    94 New Employee (i.e. The One That Got Away) - Photon Grapher

    Art image 94
    It's a new grad going to work for the first time. Yeah... tried a lot of new things and ... well, mistakes, accidents, and time made this into a disaster-piece. Great ATG overall, though. Props to anyone who made it to 30!

    95 Turnip Leaf - SazerLite

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    She's not the only one who's getting a name and cutie mark. ;)

    96 Next Dream - thattagen

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    Final Score 13/30
    I made a spreadsheet with the ideas I had for the days I missed.
    Plus now I have 13 awesome sketches I can ink and color later.

    Special Thanks:
    Calpain,
    Phoe,
    NATG Alumni,
    ...and YOU!