Cutie mark:

Program used: Illustrator CC

HAPPY SUNSET SHIMMER DAY! I drew this a year ago during last year's Artist Training Grounds on EQD, for the prompt "Future". I wasn't able to do this year's ATG as I was at Bronycon and I knew I wouldn't be able to complete all of the prompts, and I didn't really want the added stress.I was hoping to post this forever ago, but I completed the vector and for the life of me couldn't figure out how to apply sparkles that didn't look odd or out of place. I finally went back to it when I saw that Sunset Shimmer day was coming up, and finally forced myself to complete. I think the sparkles/embers are okay, they're the best they're going to look without further practice. If you want to see awesome sparkly Sunset/Celestia hair, check out's vectors.I drew this because I was getting tired of seeing Princess Sunset Shimmer with an elongated mane...and that's it. There was nothing special about it, it was just long and flowy. I wanted it to stand for something, and considering she's basically considered to have Phoenix-like powers, fire seemed like the perfect choice. I based her hair on the episode where Twilight freaks out on Pinkie and her hair turns into fire. I just love the idea of an ever-flowing fire with embers rising from it. I feel the same way when Twilight's hair is elongated - I prefer that it turns into a starry night or maybe a milky way someday when her powers become strong enough. After all, it's proven that Luna in her underpowered mode has plain blue hair, but fully powered has a night sky mane, and it's assumed that Celestia usually has a plain pink mane while her flowing hair looks like the rising dawn.I gave Sunset (and Twilight in headcanon) Luna's body type. I don't think any of them will rise to the height/stature of Celestia - she was the first and most powerful.Anyway, have a wonderful Sunset Shimmer day, and please enjoy!