Trying out manipping for the first time was and still is an interesting experience. For one thing, it is very different from digital painting, but at the same time it isn't. Had I manipped without any experience in drawing or painting, I think that I would have had drastically different results. I firmly believe that if a person were to start manipping, they should first understand how their subject works. Of course, you don't have to do extensive anatomy studies, but getting a basics idea of what makes the subject move in such and such manner certainly helps. Before I manipped, I actually did look up several horse stock images and did quick