Equestria Daily

I had this as a wallpaper on my laptop for a while, and I don't even usually really like Rainbow Dash! That's just how good Fidzfox is when it comes to drawing the pones. His style really nails all those appealing curves that make our cartoon ponies so aesthetically pleasing. Combine that with some of the best shading out there, and it's pretty obvious that he needed a spotlight.

Below the break, get a short interview and gallery showing off some of his best work!

The interview!

Q:) How did you stumble upon My Little Pony? What was your "origin" story if you will?

Actually, my curiosity about the show began when I stumble across a parodic animation named “apple.mov” about 5 years ago... then I looked a little deeper and I realized it has a huge fandom ( and mostly a lot of awesome fanart and animations ) behind this serie.

At this point I decided to give it a chance… and I've looked the 4 first season, more and less in a row!

Q:) What is the process you usually go through when drawing something new? What tools and programs do you use?

Well, it depend a lot about the subject, but usually I try to put a rough sketch and take references if needed. Then I can pass a lot of time on the sketch, refining it until it seems fine enough for next step ( which is coloring, shadows and lights ).

I work with Photoshop CS5 and an Intuos 4L.

Q:) Do you draw professionally? Or is this a side thing to another career or job?

To be honest, I'm unemployed for a while. Most of my incomes come from arts but I don't earn enough to call myself professional..

I'm also accordionist diatonic ( I play since I'm seven. ). I give lesson and make some representations when I'm asked for.

However, drawing talking, I have truly no idea. I'm mostly autodidacte, I only had an "applied arts" class during a year to reach a formation which it happens I didn't have enough funds for. I haven't any degree or experience and it's very hard ( mostly impossible ) to be professional where I live, without it.

So, I will keep have fun and dreaming. What will be will be!

Q: ) Who is your favorite pony and favorite princess? And if it's different, who is your favorite pony to draw?

Hm... I would say Fluttershy ( and I believe she’s also the one I prefer to draw )

If I have to choose a princess it would be Luna. I love night time, it’s where I’m the most creative ( when everyone sleeps, the best ideas are not already taken! ).

But! My favorite pony of all it’s Cheese Sandwich. It’s a character who truly move something inside me. Wanderers have a lot of charm to me.

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?

I’m not sure… I surely have thing I do better than other and sometimes I can struggle a lot on anatomy.

But I feel more free on backgrounds seeing they can be a lot more abstract without troubling the lecture of the picture.

Q:) Your style is so smooth! How did you go about developing it over time? Were there any specific artists that influenced you?

I began by copying the show's ratio and look. And then, from year to years, and seeing other mlp artist, I slowly tried to look for my own style.

I always need critics cause I believe I lack a lot of objectivity on my own drawings. I progressed a lot with critics that friends and people gave me. ( Thanks to Light262, Lum and Spirale btw! )

There is so much artist which influenced me. But it’s constantly changing.

In the fandom, presently, I think artists who inspire me the most would be CaptainPudgeMuffin ( his art style ) , Mirroredsea ( his framing and composition ) and Holivi ( her render, creativity and originality ).

Q:) Socks, sweaters, silly hats, swimwear, full body armor, ponies have worn it all. What is your favorite accessory to draw ponies in?

Ah! I’ve not much preferences honestly. Maybe armors, cause I love to drawn fantasy stuff ( for example, the first thing ever which gave me envy to drawn was the pictures in warhammer 40000 codexs ).

But it depend about the character I have to deal with! ( I have no idea how a full armored Fluttershy would look like… )

Q:) What do you like most about Friendship is Magic? What keeps you drawing so many awesome ponies?

The community. Seeing my humble drawings making their way across the internet warm my heart. And I would never been able to succeed to make any drawing revenue without generous bronies, nobody had any interest in my drawings before that. I honestly have no word to express how much I’m grateful for that...

Q:) Do you have any tips for newbie artists looking to improve?

First, have fun!

Second, don’t be afraid/ashamed to take references.

Third, ask and listen for critics.

Q:) Why do you think My little Pony Generation 4 has been so successful? What keeps you here involved in the community?

I believe it’s a show which use codes for a large audience ( like several Disney or Pixar movies ) and they done it very well! ( Plus! The animation and a lot of songs are just amazing! )

Also, some people’s life need a bit of tenderness, gentleness and friendship ( without taking account of age or gender ).

Seeing all I learn from the years past in this fandom and all the awesome persons I had the pleasure to talk with… I don’t think I can leave it so easily.

Even if I‘m not very productive lately due to a lack of self esteem, and I’m not that much into assiduously watching the show ( I have the last 2-3 seasons to catch up ). I still have a lot of project and thing I want to work on, mlp talking.

You will not get rid of me so easily!

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Spotlight Gallery!

[2] Source

Applejack's chill spot. by FidzFox