Phronemophobia's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[First concert drawing]

I decided to glance at the concert and, as I figured, Big Man is so obnoxiously stiff. I guess they really didn't want to bother with giving him any sort of proper interaction. Instead, he was just waving around and slowly turning in place like someone's grandmother at a family get-together. They could've had him dive into the floor and pop out from one end then the other, yeah? It wasn't as bad with the other two (other four) but they spent much of their time staying in these invisible "lanes" that it only looks like they are together. I get the feeling that if we saw a top-down version of this, we'd notice these thin, almost invisible barriers separating all of them to prevent collisions with one another.

Your piece reminds me of a place in WoW's Un'Goro Crater what with all the colorful crystals lighting up a cave near a neutral campsite. I remember screenshotting that cave (this was well over a decade ago) and using it as a background image on my PC. If I had any sort of personal connection to the Splatoon series, I probably would have taken this art and done the same with it... *shifting eyes* with your permission, of course (probably).

ICam2k responds:

After enough time has passed (which is nearly a year, golly) and recounting how that concert went, I definitely think that I... agree. I still like the concert (mostly for the music and few funny choreographs like Pearl's Naruto run) but yeah, there are definitely some rough spots here and there. BigMan especially moves like those low budget animatronics. People weren't kidding when they said that he oozes the "mascot feel" as much as I like him as a character.
On one hand though, I kind of get why they did this. They had to be careful of not stepping too far off the "lanes" as you mentioned in order to not break the immersion for the audience too much, which were even more evident in other previous concerts like the one in 2016 with the Squid Sisters. I like to think the Grandfest slightly improved on that since they're basically transfered in the game and possibly have some tweaks to make them somewhat dynamic, but I'm gonna have to rewatch them again to really be certain about that.

I'm admittedly not all that big on MMORPGs (except my brother who played Metin2 everyday in his teenage years) but I do recall being captivated by their worlds and their atmospheres, which I feel where for such games like this They were the games before "open-world" would become popular with most people later on.
Of course! You can always do that. I even made some pieces at the desktop resolution too albeit few. (mostly on 1920*1080 of course since that's the resolution I'm using, but I assume nearly everyone is set on that size)

[The smallest are the strongest]

I know of Chaotix and I believe Charmy is suppose to be the easiest character to use in that game, right? Reminding me of that line in the song "I literally carry the team when I carry the team!" with this display of lugging Vector around like a gatorskin suitcase. More importantly, we got not one but... *counts on fingers* uh, TWO! Vectors in this piece. One can only hope to one day see a third (possibly final?) form of Vector who will likely also get tossed around by something a fraction of his size and Cami will be there to properly visualize it for her future millions of fans to appreciate.

Of the two, I do prefer the older style with Charmy but the size difference in the modern version of Vector does lend itself better to the joke.

ICam2k responds:

Both in OG Knuckles Chaotix and in Sonic Heroes respectively. Charmy is an absolute powerhouse and no one seems to be joking about that. Not even me barely. Bees are barbaric, they don't mess around.
Is it? Or was it ever a third form of Vector? There's technically one for Boom, but he looks too similar to the current incarnation besides wearing a jacket, a tattoo and... lacking his headphones. And he's from Boom. Yeah, there's no third Vector. I'm sorry everyone.
I do like older interpretation of Charmy as well. Simple design, but an effective one. I tend to scoff whenever I have to draw his needlesly detailed goggles in the modern version, but it's all not too bad at least. (not bad as Espio's)

[In a jiffy]

I'm a little conflicted. This is some of the best Pearl art I've ever seen, but it's also sad to look at. Why is the best character in Splatoon sad? Isn't that a crime? Are you becoming a criminal? Should I call the squid police? You can't escape the long tentacle of the law, Cami. Pearl deserves to always look confident and mighty and you broke the law to make her appear vulnerable.

ICam2k responds:

THE best on NG? No waaay. There's got to be some besides mine. It's also pretty grungy too.
WHA-?! HOLD ON, THAT HAS BEEN LONG AGO. BESIDES I JUST WANTED A LITTLE CHANGE OF PACE, I DIDN'T MEAN TO CHANGE CHARACTERS FOR A SCENARIO THAT REQUIRES THEM TO BE SO LIKE THAT *runs away*
LEAVE ME ALOOOOOOON...!

[Globe Cut]

So Deep Cut don't really stop being "villains" after the third game? They just go from being proper enemies to... I don't know, the Splatoon equivalent of Jesse and James (and Meowth) from Team Rocket? I feel bad for Big Man. He's clearly the least comfortable in that globe.

I find your chatter about their various official outfits pretty interesting because I figured the music was the focal point of the series outside of its gameplay, but I suppose the fashion of named character is far more important than merely offering a variety of basic designs a player might pick out (similar to clothing in Animal Crossing).

I just don't see the appeal in dA. NG has always been much easier for me to navigate and I'll gladly wait a few (or more) days for your work to also be uploaded here, instead of making an account there.

ICam2k responds:

Villain sounds a little too casual in my opinion. Antagonist is somewhat close to Deep Cut and even Jessie, James and Meowth. They're too much of goofballs to exactly count as such. (minus Team Rocket on some exceptions where they did take it a bit too far with some of their gadgets on certain episodes... and maybe that time in Alterna where DC used eels/rode a shark/threw a variety of bombs to attack a 14-year old squid kid over some treasure even though they have spawners, but they moved on from thaaaat)
Music is also an art form just as much as how drawings and fashion are essential to the medium since they also count as creative works, which according to most people, that seems to be the core appeal apparently. I've been told by a friend of mine that the people who made Splatoon are also the same ones who worked on Animal Crossing, so you're wrong about that. heh
Naw, did I say you need to be on dA? Its layout is still buggy and its generally unappealing even with some customizations (which there are barely any). I just try to stick around since I know there are still a few who are over there, plus the resolution previews are still better whenever I post a pixel art on rare occasions even when categories have been removed (compared to other "art" social media where the smaller art always gets crunched down to a worser quality if you don't increase it to an appropriate size, although NG doesn't have that problem, thank goodness).
Besides, there's no problem with people just being on one place if it's a comfort spot for them. As a matter of fact, I like being on NG mostly because I like having conversations better rather than getting famous. Sure, I got phenomenons here and there on other places, but I value talking.

[As told by the young]

So many shapes and sizes like something out a Dr. Seuss book or maybe it's Splatoon's version of a Hyakki Yagyō. Either way, I've never see anything like them in passing, so good on you for bringing some love to these bizarre side characters.

ICam2k responds:

Admittedly didn't know about Hyakki Yagyō until I instantly figured out what you meant be that the moment I searched it. And I already knew about some of the Yōkai too. How embarrasing.
Speaking of which, that's probably the main reason why I love Splatoon and I kind of feel it borrows some inspirations from the latter in way (although quite slightly and it may be just an another case of me overlooking over things). The overall design of these creatures are just so captivating. You see the everyday human looking inkling and all of a sudden you find a man with a fishhead seconds after and you won't sit still until you find out more about the world they inhabit in. Then again, they are inspired by the marine life, which yes, also extends to the deep sea.

[I know what you are]

I know nothing of Pokemon after Sun and Moon, so I know nothing of the one wearing a mask, but I have seen that green child from the Puyo Tetris games. Forgot her name... *looks at tags* "Ogerpon". Yeah, that's probably it. Haven't learned much about Ogerpon yet, either, now that I think about it. Story mode is too focused on the one always holding an apple... Arle. They do share a lovably smol/green resemblance but I am unaware of how else they might relate to one another. Maybe that's it. Perhaps fashion is the only bond necessary for these two to become great friends. That or they could participate in a Puyo battle. Wait, why does that onion have a spiked club?

ICam2k responds:

Wait, I thought the one holding the apple was called Gogotte. Well, guess I got to replay the games again.
He just does. His layers make people's eyes water after all.

[It would all turn well]

I've had such a terrible year that I forgot all about it being that of the dragon. That explains why someone told me they were replaying all the BoF titles back-to-back earlier this year. I thought he just really liked the games.

The colors... the reactions... your "impulsive perfectionism" was on point with this piece, but it is the YEAR of the dragon, so it wasn't that important to post it on the first day. You were being fashionably late.

I thought the proper way to hold a camera was tie it to the end of a fishing line like a Lakitu would do. I guess Charmy preferred the hands-on approach to filming.

Hopefully, you enjoyed your year of dragons. I couldn't find any flying about. Maybe next time. Now you got me wondering if Vector is going to try and look more snake-like to celebrate 2025.

ICam2k responds:

That last part of the second paragraph made me think that maybe being "late" isn't all too bad after all. Gotta thank you by a ton for that.
Never in my life I would find someone conclude about Charmy looking like the Lakitu because of the googles. I ought to add that in my list of things to draw.
This year was kind of drag to be honest. There where some things that happened here and there like me getting a job (there where also pretty good game releases this year too) but nothing too crazy. Even nearly missed out on putting out Xmas decorations because my bro, his girlfriend and I were busy renovating the apartment this time.
Darn, another reptile based year after the previous one? I would love to do another but I'm not sure if it would ever top the "dragon" one.

[Twila In the Rain]

I'm starting to notice a trend in your subject matter. Always neat to see love for lesser-known characters in video games.

"Sorry guys, I haven’t really been making any artwork that involves painting or coloring. Paintings take a whole lot of time..." - Please don't apologize for that. You should always create in such a way that is comfortable for you, regardless of how long that might take between each piece. Still, this is an excellent sketch and if you're aiming to create more like it, then I have no complaints.

"I hope it works out for me." - I'm positive it will!

"for whatever reason, it looks... strange to me" - It's probably the rain frozen in place. I guess you could add minor looping animation to the falling water if that would put your mind at ease. I think it's fine as is.

"not really sure what category this would fit under..." - I do believe "illustration" is a proper category for this piece. It's not a finished work, so not having it posted in the art portal is a wise decision. If you're ever unsure of yourself about anything on NG, don't hesitate to either ask a site moderator or label it as "other." That's a safe option.

ShellySunshine responds:

Thanks for your feedback! Yeah, I have a huge soft spot for less popular characters - mainly the Mario ones, but there are other fandoms where I like less popular characters. Sure, there are characters that I like that are more popular, but finding or even creating art of obscure characters is always so nice since it's pretty rare. I even take the time out of my day to search for any new art of them every now and again.

I agree with what you said, and I should have worded it better. Trying to break those bad habits.

I don't intend on animating this, but rather paint it if I feel compelled to do so. I understand where you are coming from, but I was referring to the perspective view.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. :)

[the halloween i shouldn't have (sketch)]

When I wished you a warm and delightful Christmas this year on the previous piece, I didn't mean this warm! Heh.

I can't say I fully understand the logic of the name, but I do love Halloween for Christmas. It's like having breakfast for dinner. Overall, this is cute (and nostalgic) to see it sketched onto some notebook paper. I did that a lot as a kid on the side of my bed since I hated using a desk. Now, I use cheap sketch paper I bought at a grocery store on a cheap folding table. Big upgrade, you know. Definitely don't finish this. It was a spur-of-the-moment piece and putting in more effort would take away the charm of its spontaneity. As for the subject matter, seeing someone set the tree on fire and grinning as they film it burning does strike me as something extreme a person might do for short-term online attention. Then again, depending on how long the tree is filmed, I'd consider using it as crackling background noise during Christmas... like one of those eight-hour yule log/fireplace videos on YouTube that some people put on to help them relax. Actually, I guess fire isn't so scary after all when you think of it like that.

Thank you, Toggle.

ToggleDragon responds:

i knew the title wasn't as clever as i thought it was XP
thanks for the wonderful review, i loved reading this so much.

[What's a Santa?]

Since you won't explain, I will assume these are three authentic Santas all wishing to deliver gifts to the same good children and that the only reasonable solution is to have a St. Nick slamfest of seasonal slobberknocking. The winner is the one who doesn't get tossed off the roof and they get to claim all the gifts meaning they get all the Santa credit for handing them out. My money is on Octavio since he looks to be the biggest and toughest of the Santas. Is the wrapped gift he carries a reference of some sort? It has a distinct shape to it, so I figured I should ask. Also, you should give yourself more credit when it comes to backgrounds. Most art I look at doesn't provide anything but a white void. You go that extra mile to ensure your viewers receive a complete Cami experience. Thank you for your hard work.

ICam2k responds:

I probably would explain, but since this is just a cute "which one's better" type of drawing, there's not really much for me to do so. Plus, interpretations are always welcome regardless.
I'm betting on BigMan (mostly for causing me to come up the name "Manta Claus" to be a thing, albeit short lived) and has the Sunshine's Manta Storm to get around, but I won't debate on DJ Octavio. The dude does look pretty strong despite him relying on his Octobot mech in most of his fights. What, the Wasabi sticks? They are in fact his "instruments" of sorts that he carries when he controls his octobot while DJ-ing. Pretty good reason why he calls his mixes "spicy". lol
There are often times where wish myself to take it easy and start making simpler characters drawings, but my perfectionism just keeps sticking in at every opportunity. Heh, "Cami experience".