I like pandas.

Doodle a day #18, Fluttershy.

Y’know, for a character beloved by so many, I really didn’t care much for her in the beginning. She just seemed so…cliche. Okay, we get it, she’s shy. It’s in the name. But she’s probably undergone the most growth of any of the Mane 6 in these past 5 seasons. Sure, she’s still timid, but she’s much more willing to stand her ground and speak up for herself in certain situations, and not just to defend her animal friends. Hell, she even celebrated Nightmare Night and owned it! Good for her.

Confident, assertive Shy is Best Shy (I love it when she’s proud of herself). But that’s just my opinion.

Doodle a day #17, Rarity.

Behold, Rarity! As she wallows on yet another fainting couch. (Original design, do not steal. Or do, it’s pretty horrible.) Where does she keep all of those, anyway?

Rarity is a spectacular character. Many were put off in the beginning, thinking she’d be just another girly, hyper-feminine, makeup slathered trope designed to sell clothing accessories for the toy line. But she’s turned out to be one of the most relatable, fabulous, and scene-stealingest characters. I think much of that is thanks to the brilliant acting of Tabitha St. Germain (seriously, she’s amazing), but the writers always seem to bring their A-Game when it’s a Rarity episode.

Name a bad one, I dare you.

I wonder. Is she suffering from overwork? Or perhaps a particularly demanding little sister has frazzled her nerves. Or maybe…it’s drama.

Doodle a day #16, Rainbow Danger Professionalism Dash.

Okay, I’ll admit, it took me two days to do this. Not because she’s that much more difficult to draw than any other pony, but I just have a really hard time forcing myself to deal with her.

I suppose it’s confession time. Dash is probably–no, definitely–my least favorite of the Mane 6. She’s brash, cocky, loud, immature, impatient, short-sighted and short-tempered, and a host of other things. But for each of those qualities, there’s an upside. She’s a genuine friend and shows genuine concern, even if she does screw up. (A lot.) Many of the tendencies she exhibits are part of a facade of confidence she puts on not just for others, but to force herself to be able to accomplish the feats she does. Honestly, my dislike for her probably stems from having such a similar personality. When I see her act like a jerk to her friends and blame others for her shortcomings, it irritates me deeply because I could see myself treating others that way. When she goes WAY too far, committing acts I’m pretty sure are criminal and getting away with it, I get angry at her privilege because I want to take things that far (screw you, Equestrian Justice System, #freetroubleshoes). I have to seriously try hard not to act Dash-like, luckily I’ve been tempered by wisdom and experience. Still, I have my moments, and I don’t like them.

I love Applejack because she’s what I aspire to be. I dislike Rainbow Dash because she reminds me of what I am, or at least the negative qualities that I have the potential to have. Pony psychology, yo. Admittedly, I dislike her much less than I did in the beginning (I’m looking at you, Fall Weather Friends). Still, she cheats at video games (I see you, Rainbow Rocks)! That’s punishable by death.

Maybe one day I’ll grow to like her, but I get the feeling for that to happen, something so drastic would occur that everyone else would stop liking her. Oh well, I guess I can dream. And for this doodle, I guess she can too.

Doodle a day #15, Granny Smith.

Applejack, Big Mac, and Applebloom’s grandmother, and one of the original settlers (?) of Ponyville, Granny Smith has led a thrilling, adventurous life. And she’s the only pony in Equestria that knows the secret to making Zap Apple Jam. Don’t discount her just because of her age, she can still farm with the best of them! 

This is also your reminder that your grandparents/elders used to be young and hot once. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Doodle a day #14, Apple Bloom.

The youngest and arguably most adorable of the Apple family, Apple Bloom is feisty and adventurous, and idolizes her big sister Applejack more than anything. (Don’t worry, she loves Big Mac too.) There are no bad apples.

There’s not much of a leadership structure in the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but she’d be the closest to a leader, or at least the brains of the group. 

Doodle a day #13, more apples! Apple Fritter and Caramel Apple, to be exact.

The next couple of doodles are gonna be rather apple-centric, but you’re tripping crazy balls if you think I’m gonna do every single member of the Apple clan. So I just picked two, and Frit and Caramel seemed like a pretty good representation.

This situation seems a little shady. I somehow think this is not an officially sanctioned Apple Family business.

Also, first art of 2016. Happy New Year, y’all!

Doodle a day #12, Applejack.

Best pony, ‘nuff said.

…heh, who am I kidding, I’ve got plenty more to say about AJ. Strong, brave, level-headed, hard-working, stubborn, a brilliant pastry chef, and damn cute. She’s much more than just apples.

Some people call her boring, because she’s the most “normal” of the main characters. Well, without Applejack, everyone else’s antics wouldn’t seem nearly as funny or ridiculous. She’s the straight character, the one the jokes and situations have to bounce off. No Applejack? No show.

Call her a mother figure. Call her trustworthy and dependable. Call her when you need hard work done right, or an apple pie baked to perfection. But call her a background pony, and she’ll buck you into next Winter Wrap Up.

Doodle a day #11, Pinkie Pie!

I love Pinkie (she’s my second favorite overall). Her seemingly boundless energy may put off some people, but it’s endearing to me because it’s fueled by her genuine need to make others happy. One of the most heartbreaking things in the show is a sad Ponk.

Also, it’s another headcanon of mine that she’s the final boss of the series. Seriously, Pinkie knows all. Pinkie sees all. She’s behind everything! Doubt me now, but come season 11, everyone’s gonna look at me like I’m some sort of pony prophet.

(Just keep all of that between you and me though, if it gets back to the writers that I’m onto them, they’ll have to drop the whole thing. Shh, no telling. Pinkie Promise!)