original by smobs // im having some art troubles so im hoping this helps me figure stuff out :p

RULES:
Answer each question in as much detail as you like. Skip anything you don't know or would prefer not to answer.

How many usernames have you had? (You don't have to share them!)

a couple, i think... maybe 3 since i've really started posting my art but i've had this one the longest.

What does your current username mean?

ive always struggled with being kind of squeamish and having stomach issues and the likes, during the creation of my username it was a main worry. i like the way "phlegm" is spelled and sounds, and i have a special interest in foxes. so i put em together :3

What is the first program you used to make digital art?

i've used old mspaint since i could find it on the computer along with scratch, then i moved to firealpaca w/ a tablet until i went to sai 2

Where did you first start posting your art?

instagram, then i started going on DA / tumblr / toyhouse

What is the first piece of media you drew fanart for?

no idea tbh, but probably sonic x or pokemon, maybe even warrior cats

Who was your first self-insert/persona/fursona? What did they mean to you?

just me with animal features and certain haircuts and whatnot. having a sona helped me feel better about myself and also to insert myself into comfort media and also be more comfortable with certain aspects of myself.

What phases/styles has your art gone through? (e.g. Did you have an anime era, a cartoon style, a watercolour phase?)

kind of impossible for me to pinpoint but obvi you had..

• art done as a child where its more like a hobby i did when i was bored or wanted to draw what i liked
• copying down everything i saw [ pokemon, anime screenshots, toys ] and anime eyes
• poorly attempted sonic fanart and then a move onto furries and warrior cats, anime
• lavendertowne and adventure time style [ tons of budget alchohol markers ]
• homestuck replication [ i did some watercolor brush pen stuff ] [ i started doing a lot of digital here here ]
• going back to an adventure-time like style [ more watercolor brush pen and then i moved on ]
• mixing these all together to make my own artstyle and evolving from there
• balancing out my influences and trying to remain consistent yet untethered

along the way i've had certain life events and mental states in which my art has declined / improved or gone back to something else. it's a struggle but im glad i still haven't given up art

What/who do you think has influenced your art style the most?

anime and indie animation from newgrounds and youtube, certain shows and also just my special interests. i used to watch lavendertowne a lot too. homestuck.

What/who inspired you to be an artist?

my dad and eddsworld. my dad was really good at drawing from images so i started out doing the same. i started doing my own creative art a lot more when i was obsessed with eddsworld, and you got to watch an animation-timeline of edd gould's work which motivated me to get better. homestuck.

What tools are integral to your current workflow? (e.g. Programs, brushes, references.)

sai 2 is what i mainly use for digital art though i struggle a lot with style consistences and brush setttings often. mspaint pencil tool / whiteboard fox help me keep up with drawing often and to just get something out of my brain.

What improvements have you made recently?

im not entirely sure, i guess ive had more of an artistic eye about my own art and my mistakes ive made looking at older art but i feel like its also not too healthy to get caught up in perfecting anything

What steps would you like to take in the future?

trying to just draw for the sake of it and stopping myself from completing something because i assume its gonna suck and flop on social media before i even start it. also that i dont need to 100% complete every artwork and that not everything has to be made for social media or anyone but myself