original by smobs!
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!)
Depends on the Social Media but I'll provide my "widely known" ones.
lizardlover03 (2013-2016)
TTokage (2016-2016)
Tokaliz (2016-Present)
What does your current username mean?
It is a mash-up of my 2 previous usernames (lizardlover03 & TTokage), the word Tokage is the japanese word for lizard so my username basically just means "Lizard" so my username can be boiled down to "Liz Liz" or "Lizard Lizard"
What is the first program you used to make digital art?
Paint Tool SAI
Where did you first start posting your art?
DeviantART
What is the first piece of media you drew fanart for?
Nyan Cat which was also my first ever submission on dA.
Who was your first self-insert/persona/fursona? What did they mean to you?
Raineko if we're talking about an actual self-insert OC, I had a OC before them but I don't think 10 Y/O me ever thought of it being myself. She was basically a representation of my unbridled 10 Y/O creativity. I liked cats, I liked chameleons, and I also liked rainbows. I was really ahead of the OC game with my brightly colored cyan, rainbow tailed cat ngl.
Who is your current self-insert/persona/fursona? How are they different to your first?
Pockii, she's pretty different appearance wise but has the same characteristics I happen to unintentionally capture in Raineko. They're both cat/cat-like, they're both inspired by chameleons in some way or form (Raineko could turn invisible, Pockii's light purple/blue accents turn different colors like a mood ring and has reptile-like features). Time really is a circle huh.
What phases/styles has your art gone through? (e.g. Did you have an anime era, a cartoon style, a watercolour phase?)
Warrior Cats Phase (2014-2015)
Undertale Phase (2015-2016)
ARPG Phase (2017-2019)
ROBLOX Phase (2018-Present)
I also had an experimental art phase from 2018-2020 before I disappeared off of dA.
What/who do you think has influenced your art style the most?
That's a pretty difficult question, I want to say during my early years on dA I was heavily inspired by SplashKittyArtist. During my ARPG phase (AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT) Nestly's Wyngro ARPG really helped me grow as an artist in terms of anthro artwork. The ARPG was incredibly nitpicky on me as a young artist because it was clear that I was not skilled in anthro art despite making my Wyngro an anthro adult. I can recall a handful of my submissions being tweaked, redlined, or taken down by mods because my anatomy was off by their standards. Regardless on how harsh they were on me, I drew a lot for that ARPG and the quality of my art improved drastically as a result of it. So while I hate you Wyngro, thank you for forcing me to become a better artist through your endless nagging and tedious evo requirements.
What/who inspired you to be an artist?
My cousin Boldgloom, he was one of my first introductions to the artist world and I vividly remember sitting down with him and my sister when I was around 7 or 8 just doodling. I'd even say he's one of the sole reasons I pursued art online to begin with so if you want to support an incredible artist I'd check out his stuff!
What tools are integral to your current workflow? (e.g. Programs, brushes, references.)
Paint Tool SAI's bucket tool, there's nothing quite like it and I refuse to be tempted by other programs until they're able to replicate the beauty that is Paint Tool SAI color diff selection source bucket.
What improvements have you made recently?
My humanoid anatomy and character design creativity I have ZERO CLUE why I've been cooking with this recently.
What steps would you like to take in the future?
Idk maybe a background or two, I know I can draw them I just never do lmfao.