So I finally was able to finish this Vector I've been working on since a week, my most ambitious yet. The scene was originally very different, but as I progressed, I changed the perspective and the effects. I hope the scene has the intended impact I desired.
Thanks to the VIs for their assistance and help in checking for any errors or changes that needed to be applied.
I noticed some comments concerning the wind/rain direction vs Twilight's mane. This was intentional as to depict her movement as turning towards Trixie. While the water 'splashes' on Twilight's legs show that she's being pushed back from the impact of the magic. I hope this clarifies it.
Since I spent well over 30 hours on this, I can't freely offer the Source file the way I usually do. So the AI file can be downloaded at a premium. Do remember that the File is very large (~50 MB), performance intensive and will only fully work with Adobe Illustrator CS6.
Let's start with the vision: an epic battle from Twilight's perspective, but also angled so you could see the opponent, with the elements going crazy around them. That was delivered properly, with poses, expressions, and effects.
Cannot say this is very original, though; for better or worse, there are a bit too many picture of Twi and Trix killing each other. However, the addition of rain is VERY original.
Now, the technique. Everything aside from water is good. The magic is... well... magic, so it can look like anything, as long as it is well-drawn. Poses are perfect. Very often people fail at drawing 3-dimensional poni, but you succeeded. Wet manes also look good. However... water... it does not look like water, and more like ice or sand. Water does not splash properly, splashes are too angular, and the waves are too round. Work on your water.
I applaud you for capture strong emotion. The vectoring is clean, and avoids a busy appearance, despite the activity depicted.
However, the splashes in the water do not fit with the style of vectoring used on Twilight, Trixie, and the magical energy. It appears more "anime" in style, and lacks the clean look of the show. Not to say that the water splashes are not well done, just stylistically out of place.
The red aura around Trixie's eyes looks more like heavy make-up than a mystical magical wisp. It may be beneficial to give Trixie's mane more of a wet look to match Twilight's--without such effect, it looks unnaturally dry for a magic duel taking place in the middle of a body of water.
The rain suggests that there is a wind blowing towards the left of the image, while Twilight's mane suggests the opposite. This contradiction may be due to implied movements on Twilight's part, however, were this the case, the water her hooves are kicking up are splashing in the wrong direction. In other words, if you are suggesting movement on Twilight's part, her mane suggests she is moving away from the magical "explosion," while the splashes at her hooves suggests she is moving toward it.
I applaud your use of bodily motion with Twilight: her stance adds to what can be read as firm determination, which masterfully compliments her facial expression. As for Trixie, I am at a loss as to what is possessing the mare to jump.
I believed I have rambled on long enough, so in short, a good piece, but with some tweaks can become a masterpiece among vectored art.
In case you ever find yourself having to duel an enemy, do this: always have someone with a sniper rifle or something similar waiting in the distance. If you fall, MAKE SURE YOUR ENEMY DO NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO BOAST ABOUT IT.
"You'll fight me Sparkle." Trixie demanded, not loosing the evil grin on her face. "Unless you want more blood on your hooves that is." Twilight's eyes widened, suddenly realizing how far off the deep end Trixie was. "I see now." Twilight spoke softly, "What a shame. I didn't think even you could stoop that low. Is that really how it is?" Trixie didn't answer her, she simply continued to stare a hole through Twilight, still malevolently smiling at her. "Answer me!" Twilight shouted at her, "Do you let yourself be a slave over something like this." Rather than giving Twilight a response, Trixie's horn began to glow with the red magic. Not taking her eyes off her foe for a moment, she released her magical energy at a group of ponies that gathered around the two of them. As several of them were thrown around screaming, Twilight looked over to the knocked around group, a look of sheer disbelief now on her face. "Tell me," Trixie said, finally speaking up. "Is it slavery when get what you want?" With the dust blowing past her from the burst of power, Trixie lifted her face up, now baring her teeth in that sinister smile she was giving Twilight.
Twilight was still looking at what Trixie did. All those ponies were now hurt or worse. And why? Because Twilight wasn't going to cooperate with Trixie's demands? As she looked on, Twilight began clenching her teeth. Her once concerned look now slowly being replaced with an angered one. She slowly turned her face back to Trixie, who was still giving her that upturned evil look. Where as Twilight was above being lured into confrontation, she couldn't allow any more ponies to be hurt because of her refusal to fight. She continued to give Trixie a death stare, the blue unicorn still sizing her up.
Twilight's horn came to life, a gentle aura now surrounding it. At the sight, Trixie slowly lowered her head back down. It took a little prodding, but she was finally going to get her rival to react.
"No Twilight." Spike said, suddenly stepping in from the side. "You can't. If you fight her, you'll be doing exactly what she wants. You'll be no better than she is."
"Tell me, Trixie," Twilight said to her, completely ignoring spikes words, "I know that amulet your wearing has been making you act like this. So is that why your so avid about this battle, or is this just the same old routine of you needing to prove you're better than everyone?"
As expected, Trixie gave no answer. She simply continued her sadistic stare at the unicorn she faced.
"Does it really matter?" Rarity questioned from the side.
"Maybe not to you," Trixie answered the white unicorn. "But to a true unicorn it matters greatly. And you know as well as I do Sparkle. I have been waiting for the day to give you a taste of what a true magician can do. And I will not miss this opportunity."
Twilight and Trixie again stared at each other for a few moments. Their brows both furrowed. Trixie still wearing her smile, but Twilight had a very serious look on her face.
"Who are you?" Spike said to Trixie, "Don't you realize that ponies lives matter more than you meaning less grudge?"
At his words, Trixie's smile quickly contorted into an angry scowl. "Meaningless, huh!?!" she shouted. Spike took a prominent step back, knowing he had invoked the mares wrath. "And what do you know of meaningless!?!" Trixie shouted again. The magic aura in her horn came back, this time so powerful that it caused a shock wave, sending dirt and other debris flying everywhere. Many of the on lookers shielded their eyes from the sudden kick up of dust. All except one. Twilight Sparkle still maintained her composure.
Spike took his arm away from his eyes, noticing the magical aura now surrounded Trixie's entire body. And that scowl was still plastered on her face.
"Spend all of that time being ridiculed and looked down upon by others!" Trixie said, resuming where she left off, the aura now slowly fading from her body. "Watch all that you had dwindle away until there's nothing left. And then tell me what has more meaning to you than your own ability! I have in me the power of a true unicorn, she is nothing but a joke. Yet I watched her surpass me in power! My reputation, completely destroyed!"
Trixie took a short pause, getting her breath back. "Sh-She's even saved my life as if I were a helpless foal. She has tarnished my name... And her dues... Will. Be. Paid."
That's true! You were born with natural magic way beyond my own. Nopony can close the gap between us...
YOU FOAL! SO...SO YOU LET THE ALI-
YES! I WANTED THE ALICORN AMULET TO MAKE ME SURPASS YOU!!! Don't you understand Sparkle! I needed the alicorn amulet to become great and powerful! And I have to say....it feels way too good.
This is so epic that a custom Magic the Gathering card must be made to honor it. Thank you for allowing people to use it. I'll make sure to credit you and make a link to your deviant art page.
Cannot say this is very original, though; for better or worse, there are a bit too many picture of Twi and Trix killing each other. However, the addition of rain is VERY original.
Now, the technique. Everything aside from water is good. The magic is... well... magic, so it can look like anything, as long as it is well-drawn. Poses are perfect. Very often people fail at drawing 3-dimensional poni, but you succeeded. Wet manes also look good. However... water... it does not look like water, and more like ice or sand. Water does not splash properly, splashes are too angular, and the waves are too round. Work on your water.
Impact = vision + originality + technique.
However, the splashes in the water do not fit with the style of vectoring used on Twilight, Trixie, and the magical energy. It appears more "anime" in style, and lacks the clean look of the show. Not to say that the water splashes are not well done, just stylistically out of place.
The red aura around Trixie's eyes looks more like heavy make-up than a mystical magical wisp. It may be beneficial to give Trixie's mane more of a wet look to match Twilight's--without such effect, it looks unnaturally dry for a magic duel taking place in the middle of a body of water.
The rain suggests that there is a wind blowing towards the left of the image, while Twilight's mane suggests the opposite. This contradiction may be due to implied movements on Twilight's part, however, were this the case, the water her hooves are kicking up are splashing in the wrong direction. In other words, if you are suggesting movement on Twilight's part, her mane suggests she is moving away from the magical "explosion," while the splashes at her hooves suggests she is moving toward it.
I applaud your use of bodily motion with Twilight: her stance adds to what can be read as firm determination, which masterfully compliments her facial expression. As for Trixie, I am at a loss as to what is possessing the mare to jump.
I believed I have rambled on long enough, so in short, a good piece, but with some tweaks can become a masterpiece among vectored art.
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