I really wanted to do an entirely original piece for Christmas and even had a few good ideas, but having finished Winter on the fourteenth (and a very detailed commission less than a week before that) I just didn’t have the time to go through the whole composition process. I was listening to “It’s a Pony Kind of Christmas” to try to get some inspiration, and noticed the pleasant little scene depicted in the cover art. Being sorely pressed for time and not seeing any better option I decided to do something I hardly ever do, copy. Well, sort of. Not much caring for the cool color scheme of the castle, I replaced it with the Golden Oak Library, a much more suitable backdrop for such a warm, cozy scene. I also completely changed Rainbow Dash’s pose, and made more subtle changes to the rest of them. I certainly can’t see myself making a habit of taking such blatant shortcuts, but this time around I thought it better than not doing anything. Maybe next year I’ll do myself a favor and start my yearly Christmas project in June.
Anyway, for all you 3100+ people who like my stuff well enough to watch me (and anyone else who happens to see this), have a very Merry and safe Christmas! Seriously, we’re almost through 2016. Just a few more days!
Watercolor on 9x12 140 lb. Strathmore watercolor paper. Finished: 12/22/16.