Mood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrxHO-B2TY
Posting time! This piece was commissioned by someone who is an actual Queen's Guard! (you know, those guys with the big hats around Buckingham) . That was definitely new! This is his character, Richard the Shire horse, whose ref sheet I've also designed, flying the glorious Grenadier Flag https://imgur.com/zpvhjRW after a hard fought victory.
When I first received this commission I had only one thought in my mind - make it as epic as possible! So I tried to use this heroic pose, this big-ass flag and dramatic lighting to that effect. Technically, I learned here that using actual contours around my character makes him better stand out from the background (see his helmet) and that soft gradients can make lighting appear more natural.

Let me know what you think below ^^!

Also, if you're interested in commissioning me, I'm open! Feel free to check my prices here: https://www.weasyl.com/~pimpartist/submissions/1544401/commision-info and send me a note. Thank you for checking out my work!