I have always said that I have been "really: doing smileys for 6 years, since it was at the start of my family-themed site that I began creating smileys/icons/emotes regularly. However, that was not when I first started doing smileys. Back in 1999, I had a small online store with a very old forum system that used icons. The "smileys" looked like Pac-Man, and I was far from pleased with them. So, I made a few "classic" smiley face icons--basic round images with eyes, mouth, and different expressions. Only 1 was yellow though, the others were different colors. Dare I say, emotes?! Anyhow, tonight I got it in my head to see if I had copies of them. Even though it was 4 computers ago, I had a folder of my old stuff and there they were! The date on the files is July 8, 1999
I am posting the images just as they appeared way back when...10 years ago. You can see, no shading and the base is blurred. The only thing is that I combined them into one image--originally they were separate graphics. Honestly, I have no idea what program I used to make them. I don't believe I was using Paint Shop Pro at that point. I do recall using some freeware paint program, but I can't remember the name, and I'm sure it's no longer in existence.
My beginnings as a smilemoticonist!
***Someone noted that Blank is there on the bottom left. but he is in green. Too funny. ***
and lol yay for smilemoticonist