Eqd Event 2 Submissions - Day 1

I needed to work on my art output again, so I spent the last week or so preparing for and doing Equestria Daily's second Artist Training Grounds event. Unlike the one from six months ago, the whole thing spanned a five-day period; definitely less stress for everyone Also, y'know, I got to draw ponies, but I doubt I need to make my affection for the little abominations any clearer.

Phoe, the head honcho, tried to incorporate a narrative of sorts throughout the ATG, in which the characters presented by the participants waged a "mock war" with some sort of griffin army. But as fun as it was to help along General Derpy Hooves' ill-planned crusades and assignments, I knew from the very beginning that I wouldn't be able to candy-coat something as hellish as war.

Thus, I began a narrative of my own, following the war exploits of a relatively infrequent background character, Nurse Redheart. She always struck me as an interesting character to develop (especially for an over-thinker like me); in a setting devoted completely to friendship, happiness, and overall sugary-sweet optimism, her battered and almost sad attitude definitely stands out. I also knew that juxtaposing the morals of a doctor with the necessities of an armed conflict would provide a bit more challenge than, say, a biography of a stereotypically loyal and unquestioning recruit. This particular picture, made primarily in Photoshop with assistance from Color Scheme Designer 3, tries to get that contrast across as efficiently as possible.

Have I already lumped an obscene amount of ambition on this thing? Probably. But with this and future projects, I operate with the sincere hope of proving that unconventional means of storytelling don't have to be bound by their original contexts in order to work. If I can make someone out there realize some innate truth or feeling using a combination of ridiculously high-brow philosophy and narrative tools re-purposed from a children's cartoon show, that's a victory on a variety of fronts.

"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" © Lauren Faust and Hasbro
All rights to their respective owners, too.