Alicorn Twilight Sparkle

Alright, my first "professional" critique thing <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="453" title="Wink/Razz"/> First off, I must say that this is hooves down your finest work yet. It really blew me away just at first glance. A pony plush aficionado was actually the one that linked me your wip of this piece, seeing as I was in the midst of making a very similar one. I'm most glad he did, because I've found one of my favorite plushcrafters because of it.


Vision: I can clearly see the inspiration and passion that have been put into this piece. You clearly enjoy your work, and are progressing well in it. I can see great potential in you, and this piece is a perfect demonstration of that.

Originality: Well. This is a pony plush. What pony hasn't been done within an hour of the episode airing she/he was featured in? I do like the folded wings instead of them being statically wide open (though I imagine it might be becasue they're easier to manage like this? <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="453" title="Wink/Razz"/>). You also get bonus points for that finely designed rump. Egotistical as it may be, I do have to wonder if that came to you naturally, or if I may have played some part in influencing that particlular design method.

Technique: Far better than most, for sure! If this was as good as it got, I'd be proud. But clearly you're set to go much further than this, I imagine driving this rating up to a perfect 5 in time. For now, I'll give you some pointers on what to work on after I cover impact.

Impact: I was blown away. I had only seen one other plush rump designed like that, looking that good, and it was my own work. I don't claim to be great at what I do, but I do think I do that one thing pretty well. I can say, though, that I think you did it great. That's the biggest impact on me, the rest following is just as good. The proportions are all kept together, and that goes far with what the viewer registers on the subconscious. It holds the silhouette of the character, and the mind recognizes that. The shooting location is nice, and I like that you took care to put something down so the hoofsies wouldn't be sullied XD Perhaps next time a bit of cloth?


Ok. So, I'll run hooves to head on this. Hooves. Good Luna, are they flat? If not, then you can put a piece of plastic a bit smaller than the hoof pattern in there to give flatness. You can also sew an oval into the hoof bottom, creating the hoof's underside. Putting circles of fleece or the like in the outer rim between the plastic and fabric give it a concave inside, forming the hoof walls.

The legs. I love the back legs. Good shape, good length. As for the front legs... taper those things! Good base width, but having the backside shapely and the front legs stocky is a bit contrasty.

The tail and rump! Excellent shape, excellent proportions and height-to-width ratio. The crack might run a little deep, but I can't say for sure. The tail is very nice, I like the shape and satin stitchwork. It's a bit too short/small, if you look at Twi it ends about ankle level.

Body/head. A little hard to see, not so many angles as I would have liked to have seen for this one. The shapes and scales are all very good, and I like the little bit of chubby pony belly going on. The eyes are a bit big, but it works for Twi. The mouth is well placed, but there seems to be a lack of nostrils? I'd love to see the neck and neck/head seam.

Ears/horn/wings/mane. The horn is lovely. Good length, good width. The ears are a little rough, but I know it's hard to do ears. Try making the front piece of the ear the pony ear shape, and the back piece something to be filled out a bit, sloping out from the tip. That really works if you sew in a piece of curved plastic in the front piece to hold the form. The wings are cute, simple, and properly scaled to the body. The mane... I can't see the front! I'd like to see Twi's color stripes that run next to her horn, but these angles don't let me see that! The side part of the mane is good, if a bit large (which works for this plush). I am digging that satin stitching for the violet streak, though it should technically be a bit wider. The embroidery of everything is wonderful.

Overall, great job! Really! I'm so glad I saw this! I'll be keeping a close eye on whatever else you make. So... no pressure, k? <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="453" title="Wink/Razz"/> I hope this was all read as friendly constructive critique for a potentially great plush crafter, because that's what it is, and that's what you are. Congratulations on making a fine pony.