I tried some different techniques in layering, shading, and building up the background, all in IbisPaint.
Inspired by a shot from the MLP episode “Brotherhooves Social”. (notice that Applebloom is sans Cutiemark, because this was still pre-“Crusaders of the Lost Mark”. Hard to believe, eh?)
Artist Training Ground Prompt:
Draw a pony beating the odds / Draw a pony doing the unexpected.