Man and Pony

[Griatch]

(click for DA version)

The RAP this time involved a 'shaggy pony', so this was what I came up with. I've never painted a pony before, so it was quite fun! Pony is based on an Icelandic pony. It probably doesn't fit all that well with the climate of the image, but they do look very cool . Was also a while since a drew a random male character, so that was also fun to do.

Comments and feedback welcome as usual.
.
Griatch

[ofnuts]

Physics and biology police

- Head looks 20% oversize compared to pictures of real Icelandic ponies.
- The way the guy leans against the pony, the pony should be slightly leaning towards him.
- Bushes in the left of the background have no reflection in the water

Hairstyles and fashion department:

- First time I see a mule with a mullet, and in a greased mullet-pompadour combo. Could possibly require some softening and/or finer strands.
- Rest of the hair is pretty good
- Nice job on the guy...

Tourism bureau:

- Nice hazy background.

[Tas_mania]

First time I see a mule with a mullet

Those haircuts never caught-on in the horse world. It's great to see the pony is the brains of this operation. Humans really have made a mess of things. The man has even adopted the pony's strict dietary requirements.

[MareroQ]

I'm just finishing reading John Flanagan's 'Rangers Apprentice'.
Your image looks like the picture in this book - that's how I imagine Rangers ponies.

[sallyanne]

Not bad Griatch. Do ponies really smile like that?

[lylejk]

I like it, Griatch.

[Griatch]

Physics and biology police

- Head looks 20% oversize compared to pictures of real Icelandic ponies.
- The way the guy leans against the pony, the pony should be slightly leaning towards him.
- Bushes in the left of the background have no reflection in the water

Hairstyles and fashion department:

- First time I see a mule with a mullet, and in a greased mullet-pompadour combo. Could possibly require some softening and/or finer strands.
- Rest of the hair is pretty good
- Nice job on the guy...

Tourism bureau:

- Nice hazy background.

Thanks for the feedback!

• This is done from reference, so the pony head does indeed become this big with foreshortening. I think the issue is rather that the scale of the man confuses the eye a bit (the pony is so much less tall than a full-size horse after all). I do agree with you though - even though I know it's done in proper perspective, I still am not used to how the head appears. Then again I'm not that used to horses in the real world either.
• The lean is a good point. There is no (noticeable) lean for a full-size horse, but for a pony I guess it would probably be noticeable.
• That's true, I should really add a bit more detail in the water!
  
• (Some) Ponies actually do have mullets as far as I can tell. But I agree the hair came across a little too greasy here - it should look more like a thick-strand brush I think.
• Glad you like the background and the guy

I'll see if I'll get time to get back to fixing this up, thanks again!

First time I see a mule with a mullet

Those haircuts never caught-on in the horse world. It's great to see the pony is the brains of this operation. Humans really have made a mess of things. The man has even adopted the pony's strict dietary requirements.

I'm just finishing reading John Flanagan's 'Rangers Apprentice'.
Your image looks like the picture in this book - that's how I imagine Rangers ponies.

Interesting, I've never read that. Glad you like it!

Not bad Griatch. Do ponies really smile like that?

It's a visual illusion due to the foreshortening of a rounded mule. But yes, from that angle they appear to.

I like it, Griatch.

Thanks!

[teapot]

Good painting Griatch, I like it a lot

Love the mellow colours. The man's outfit is really well done I like his style.

Perhaps the horse is smiling as he's about to move