Now accepting cutie mark requests

3/27/2013 UPDATE: Rules for requests have been expanded and streamlined.  Please see the new Request Details journal post.

So you may have noticed that I've been uploading a bunch of cutie marks to my gallery, including some for original characters.  I originally started doing cutie mark vectors because I had seen a number of comic artists credit someone else for certain vectors.  Now, more organic shapes like people or animals are difficult for me to draw, but things like logos, machines, or structures come easier to me due to their tendency to use carefully measured curves and lines (I draw like an engineer).  A cutie mark is more or less a logo, so I thought that if some artists have trouble drawing them, then why not start a gallery of cutie marks that they can use?  So I did.

Now that I've got a few of the most popular official ponies' cutie marks done, as well as a few private requests for original characters, plus some of my own, I thought I'd open requests up to the general public.  I'm trying to figure out a practical way to make the SVG files available to any who want to use them, so leave a comment here if you have a suggestion.  Also note that for older generations, I'm a little sketchy on some details, for example I know that MLP Tales is actually G1, not G2, but I don't know if there were any conflicting designs between Tales and the original animated series.  I've watched both those series, but haven't finished the G3 cartoons yet, I've also finished G3, thus my journey to the dark side is complete.  I'm still not as familiar with pre-G4 ponies, though.

Cutie marks will use the following tags at the end of the deviation name to help you identify them:

No tag - An official fourth generation pony
[G1] - Any pony from the first animated series, including the movie and specials, as well as My Little Pony Tales, and any pony from the first generation toy line
[G2] - Any pony from the second generation toy line
[G3] - Any pony from any of the direct-to-dvd specials based on the third generation, including Core 7, G3.5, and Newborn Cuties, as well as any pony from the third generation toy line
[Fan] - Any fan designed cutie mark for an official pony that is a blank flank (think CMC, etc.)
[OC] - Any original character that does not appear in any of the animated series' or toy lines
[alt#] - Alternate version of another cutie mark (mostly for [Fan] and [OC])

Here are the rules for requests.  Don't be intimidated by them.  If you're a rational and agreeable person who uses a bit of common sense, most of these shouldn't be a problem for you.  That said, make sure you've read and understand them before submitting a request.  Also, if I find that the current rules are proving insufficient, I will update them and add a "Rules last updated [date]" somewhere in this journal entry, so if you see that, make sure to check the date and make sure you've read the latest version of the rules.

Requests are now: OPEN

General rules:

1. I reserve the right to deny or cancel a request at any time, for any reason.

2. All requests must be sent to me via dA notes.

3. All requests must have "Cutie Mark Request - [character name] [relevant tags]" as the subject line.  For example, "Cutie Mark Request - Wind Whistler [G1]".  The description of the request should go in the body of the message.

4. Requests are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.  No exceptions.

5. You can only submit one request at a time.  If you submit a second request, it will be added to the end of the current queue once I've finished the first one.  (I.e. you can't submit a block of requests.)

6. Please allow at least a week after I notify you that I'm working on your request for me to finish it.  Hopefully it won't ever take that long, but Real Life stuff takes precedence.

Rules regarding all official ponies:

7. I will not draw the same cutie mark twice.  Please check my gallery to make sure the cutie mark you are requesting hasn't already been done.

8. If the pony in question is a blank flank, use the rules for OC ponies (and tag it [Fan]).

9. You will not be credited for requesting official ponies , nor can you deny permission for other people to use it.  (Exceptions are where rule 8 above or rule 12 below apply.)

10. It's helpful if you provide a link to an official source (screenshots from the cartoons preferred, otherwise photos of the toys) that shows the cutie mark clearly visible.  If I can't find an official source with the cutie mark clearly visible, I cannot accept the request.  In these cases, treat the pony as a blank flank and refer to rule 8.

Rules regarding previous generations:

11. A lot of ponies across several generations share the same name, but not necessarily the same design (cf. G3 Applejack vs. G4 Applejack).  You must explicitly request a particular generation, or I will assume the request is for a fourth generation pony.

12. Some of the cutie mark styles differ across generations (cf. G1 Applejack vs. G4 Applejack).  By default, I will draw all cutie marks in the G4 style, but if you would like to request an alternate style, use the rules for OC ponies (and tag it [alt]).

Rules regarding original characters:

13. Make sure you tag your request [OC].  Especially if your OC shares the name of an official pony (don't forget previous generations).

14. You must provide a clear and detailed enough concept for me to work with.  I don't mind being creative (in fact, it can be fun!), but I will need a starting point.

15. Helpful, but not required information is: a detailed description of the cutie mark design, preferred colors for the cutie mark, the special talent associated with the mark, and the colors of the pony's coat and mane.

16. Even though these are your designs and your requests, I'm still the one drawing it.  If I think there are problems with your design (e.g. it looks terrible, has far too many small details, or is just impossible to draw), I will try to work with you to improve it.  If we can't come to an agreement, then I will drop the request.

17. If I require clarification regarding the design, I will send you a reply to your request.

18. If you don't respond to my messages, I will suspend or drop your request.  If I don't get to your request within a week after submitting it, please make sure to reply when I notify you that I'm working on your request to let me know that you are still interested.

19. Work In Progress (WIP) versions will be posted to my sta.sh.  I'll send you a reply to your request with a link to ask for further input or to finalize the design.  If you simply can't settle on a final design, I will drop your request.  If you decide to drastically change the cutie mark, you will have to submit a new request.

20. By default, I will credit you for the request, link back to your deviantArt profile, and give permission for anyone to use the cutie mark as they see fit.  If you want to be credited anonymously or by a different name, don't want a link back to your dA profile, or don't want to give permission for other people to use, you must specifically let me know.

21. If I drop your request, and it has already been partially completed, I may decide to upload it anyway.  I will rename it to "Extra Mark [number]", and will not credit you (as it would imply I had trouble dealing with you, and that info should not be public).  I will, of course, not claim credit for the design or concept, but neither will I point any fingers (I will simply mark it as an incomplete request).  If the design of your cutie mark changes drastically, I might also upload the older version, though in that case I will credit you.  If you don't want me to upload an incomplete or alternate version of your cutie mark, you can ask me not to, but I'm not obligated to comply (it's still my art).

22. Cutie marks are supposed to be simple.  If I deem your request overly complicated or detailed, I may decide to bump it up to a commission.  We can negotiate the price based on how complex the mark is.

34. All requests must be Safe For Woona (SFW).  No NSFW requests will be accepted.  No exceptions.  This mostly means nothing pornographic, but also goes for requests with excessive blood or gore, or profanity.  I'm... not quite sure how you'd get something like that in a cutie mark, unless the mark itself was a phallis or something, but I'm sure someone would find a way.

Have fun, everyone!  Be sure to link back to me any time you use my work, and let me know, too!