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The Equine Anthro Style Debate
7 years ago
General
Hello all!
So, in my ever ending quest to study and improve my art, I've came across a particular issue: What style of anthro do I draw?
To start, I will define that there are two main classes of equine anthros. This image link should help define what I am discussing, and I will use it as a reference: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme.....048/images.jpg
The first (and the left side of the image linked above) is what I call "idealized anthros." These characters share a lot of equine characteristics, usually having hooves and equine like tails. The facial structure however is generally significantly different than the other class of anthros. Generally, they will always have enlarged human like eyes, and smaller noses, which are generally significantly more narrow at the nose than connecting with the rest of the head. Perhaps an extreme form of this are MLP anthros, though personally, I find that they're so far from being equine that I don't consider them on the scale. Most equine anthro fury art falls into this category, hence why I call it the "idealized anthro" category.
The second category, and the right side of the above linked picture is the "feral-esk" (feral-like) anthro. Namely, the largest contrast between this style is that it is that the facial structure based off feral or real-life equines. Here, the ideal leans towards more equine-like rather than human like. Like the "idealized anthro" category, there is a range within this category, such as the use of the more solid color of equine eyes, how the lower legs are jointed, and hand hooves (which in my opinion, hand hooves pretty much defeats the whole purpose of being an anthro in the first place!).
For myself, personally, I lean towards the "feral-esk" side. This is mainly due to my practice of using "feral" equine facial anatomy and manes. I generally do not enlarge the eyes very much from what they are on real life equines, though I will add human like eyes and eyebrows for easier representation of the character's expression. I also follow the "feral-esk" category as it allows me to express different equine breeds easier, Arabians with their dished faces, American Quarter horses with their more pronounced jaws, the more straight faced Warmbloods, and the necks of Baroque conformation breeds. I feel that "idealized anthros" often are missing most of the traits that make the different breeds of horses so unique. So many "idealized anthros" just end up looking like the same character, just with different colors and hairstyles.
However, I know there are problems with following the "feral-esk" style. First of all, it is a minority faction of anthro artists. Many people find "feral-esk" anthros uncanny, or a bit too realistic. Feral characters already have issues in the furry community as being too far, thus it is possible for them to lump "feral-esk" anthros into this category as well.
However, despite this, I still prefer to follow the "feral-esk" style. Yes, I still add some humanizing features, such as eyes, eyebrows, and forward facing knees, but I prefer to use are more real life anatomy for the facial structure to assist in making each character unique.
But anyways, I am curious to hear your own opinions on the mater! What style of anthro do you like or prefer to draw? What are your opinions on the different types of anthros? What's your ideal anthro anatomy? My only request is to please keep the discussions civil!
So, in my ever ending quest to study and improve my art, I've came across a particular issue: What style of anthro do I draw?
To start, I will define that there are two main classes of equine anthros. This image link should help define what I am discussing, and I will use it as a reference: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme.....048/images.jpg
The first (and the left side of the image linked above) is what I call "idealized anthros." These characters share a lot of equine characteristics, usually having hooves and equine like tails. The facial structure however is generally significantly different than the other class of anthros. Generally, they will always have enlarged human like eyes, and smaller noses, which are generally significantly more narrow at the nose than connecting with the rest of the head. Perhaps an extreme form of this are MLP anthros, though personally, I find that they're so far from being equine that I don't consider them on the scale. Most equine anthro fury art falls into this category, hence why I call it the "idealized anthro" category.
The second category, and the right side of the above linked picture is the "feral-esk" (feral-like) anthro. Namely, the largest contrast between this style is that it is that the facial structure based off feral or real-life equines. Here, the ideal leans towards more equine-like rather than human like. Like the "idealized anthro" category, there is a range within this category, such as the use of the more solid color of equine eyes, how the lower legs are jointed, and hand hooves (which in my opinion, hand hooves pretty much defeats the whole purpose of being an anthro in the first place!).
For myself, personally, I lean towards the "feral-esk" side. This is mainly due to my practice of using "feral" equine facial anatomy and manes. I generally do not enlarge the eyes very much from what they are on real life equines, though I will add human like eyes and eyebrows for easier representation of the character's expression. I also follow the "feral-esk" category as it allows me to express different equine breeds easier, Arabians with their dished faces, American Quarter horses with their more pronounced jaws, the more straight faced Warmbloods, and the necks of Baroque conformation breeds. I feel that "idealized anthros" often are missing most of the traits that make the different breeds of horses so unique. So many "idealized anthros" just end up looking like the same character, just with different colors and hairstyles.
However, I know there are problems with following the "feral-esk" style. First of all, it is a minority faction of anthro artists. Many people find "feral-esk" anthros uncanny, or a bit too realistic. Feral characters already have issues in the furry community as being too far, thus it is possible for them to lump "feral-esk" anthros into this category as well.
However, despite this, I still prefer to follow the "feral-esk" style. Yes, I still add some humanizing features, such as eyes, eyebrows, and forward facing knees, but I prefer to use are more real life anatomy for the facial structure to assist in making each character unique.
But anyways, I am curious to hear your own opinions on the mater! What style of anthro do you like or prefer to draw? What are your opinions on the different types of anthros? What's your ideal anthro anatomy? My only request is to please keep the discussions civil!
Though, I guess for me, I don't really consider equines to have "fur" which I mentally picture as the hairs being over an inch long. I usually consider horses to have "coats" as their body hairs are shorter, and giving their fur to have a smooth, almost solid texture.
Not too sure about more feral-esque horses in a bright anime or cartoon style setting though. Imagine if we replaced MLPs Mane six with ponies from a Frederic Remington Painting but kept the background art the same.
Part of the reason I feel that "idealized anthros" are so popular is that it is easier to associate them with humans rather than real life horses. The smaller nose and larger eyes makes them more human, and easier for us to comprehend their expression and emotions. How real life horses express their emotions to each other is usually through their ears and tail motions, as well as head and body posture. However, as most people don't own horses or are not as around horses as much, and do not know their expressions as well. Dogs, in comparison, as so widely known that we generally know their expressions through their posture and actions.
To be honest, for me, the hardest part for drawing anthros is the neck, as that is the location that I am forced to sharply blend both equine and human features. If I make the neck more equine, it can sometimes gives the illusion that the character has a hunchback, too human like, and then the head appears to be too large and heavy.