We are reviving the old Artist Spotlight series since a few people have asked about it lately. Quite a few new people have joined up since our last one way back in 2016, and some of the old veterans have gotten even better!
So lets get this ball rollin shall we? Scarlet Spectrum has been uploading cartoon horses and more for everyone to enjoy for the last four years over on Deviant Art, venturing into just about every corner of the fandom. Her style is one of the most varied out there, but an overall silky smooth shading technique tends to tie it all together. I know I've gathered many a wallpaper from her gallery.
Head on down below the break for the interview and some of her awesome art spotlighted!
The Interview!
Q:) How did you stumble upon My Little Pony? What was your "origin" story if you will?
I remember watching My Little Pony as a young girl, but after that I didn't really care for it until FIM. Around my freshman year of high school, a close friend of mine recommend it to me and i fell in love with the show. If it wasn't for FIM I don't think my art would've ever gotten as popular as it did!
Q:) What is the process you usually go through when drawing something new? What tools and programs do you use?
My process sometimes changes depending on what I'm drawing but it typically goes brainstorm ideas > final sketch > background > lineart > color > shading. I used to draw the background as the last step, but i find that doing it near the beginning helps a lot with figuring out how the lighting on the character(s) should look.
As for tools/programs, my go to drawing program has always been Paint Tool Sai and more recently Paint Tool Sai 2. I have dabbled in other programs like Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint in the past but I always go back to Sai because it works best for me personally. The tablet I use is called the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro. While my tablet is very expensive (a whopping $2000+!), that doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money to be good at art! I used a cheap tablet for the first few years I did digital art!
Q:) Do you draw professionally? Or is this a side thing to another career or job?
I wouldn't say I do art “professionally”, but it is technically my only job as of right now. I have thought of getting a part time job, but social anxiety makes that very difficult for me. While I don't make a lot of money, I am happy doing what I'm doing and I hope to continue and maybe become a professional one day.
Q: ) Who is your favorite pony and favorite princess? And if it's different, who is your favorite pony to draw?
My favorite pony is Fluttershy, and my favorite princess is Twilight!
Q:) What kind of challenges do you usually run into when drawing a character or subject for the first time? Has there ever been an image concept that completely stumped you?
One thing I've always struggled with is making poses look fluid and natural. Even when it looks that way in the sketch, I always find that it looks “stiff” by the time I'm finished. I'm still doing my best to improve in that aspect.
Q:) One thing I’ve noticed most about your art over the years is how many styles you tend to have. Quite a few times I’ve had something in review and didn’t realize it was you until I clicked it! Is this something that automatically seems to happen? Or are you just really experimental with your art?
Honestly, i just can't ever keep to one style. I envy artists who find their own unique style and are able to stick with it, and be recognized for it. I think a big reason as to why my style changes so much is due to inspiration. I'm always finding many new artists that i can't help but be in awe of all the different styles and techniques that I just wanna try it out for myself. Maybe I just haven't found my “true” style quite yet, but I'm getting there!
Q:) At Bronycon 2018, you were one of the most popular artists in the vendor hall. Did you expect such a positive reception? Do you usually do really well at conventions?
Bronycon was my very first Artist Alley actually! I wasn't expecting to be popular at all, but to my surprise I even had people asking me for autographs! Im really happy that my first Artist Alley was such a success!
Q:) Socks, sweaters, silly hats, swimwear, full body armor, ponies have worn it all. What is your favorite accessory to draw ponies in?
Nothing beats socks!
Q:) What do you like most about Friendship is Magic? What keeps you drawing so many awesome ponies?
My favorite part of FIM is definitely the characters! Ive loved seeing them grow and learn throughout the show.
Q:) Do you have any tips for newbie artists looking to improve?
Just keep drawing no matter what!
Q:) Why do you think My little Pony Generation 4 has been so successful? What keeps you here involved in the community?
It's a great show, that's why! Im not sure if gen 5 will ever live up to gen 4s success, I will definitely give it a try but regardless I do know the fandom will live on.
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Awesome Art!
[1] Source
Rainbow Powers
[2] Source
Workflow
[3] Source
First Date
[4] Source
Wedding Day
[5] Source
Flutters
[6] Source
Shoo be Doo!
[7] Source
Date
[8] Source
Bright mac and Pear Butter
[9] Source
Space Dash
[10] Source
Love you
[11] Source
Nose Boops
[12] Source
Shipping Admiral Cadance
[13] Source
Rosa flame
If you would like to commission Scarlet Spectrum, or hop on her Patreon for all sorts of neat bonuses, check out these links!
