there's also the cool idealized fantasy sona where the sona wears the clothes you want but dont have, usually a demon or fantastical being. There's two sides of this one though, there's the fully rendered amazing peices you have of the sona and then the silly simplified blobs in the corners of your sketchbook. It makes draawing yourself a lot more fun (in my experience dont know if this is a common one)
I'm always a fan of the people who draw themselves as just the friendliest people imaginable. The fluffy haired himbo bakers, the very approachable teachers, the Ms. Honeys, the uncle Irohs, the knitting grandmas and outdoorsy art couples
I always like seeing a highly-detailed artists who's just "a little guy". For one, it's memorable and makes for a great profile pic. Second, I can kinda understand the mood. It's basically just a way to draw themselves without feeling the pressure of being good. Like it's just "I'm tired and I wanna be a scrungly blob." Also as a furry, I can guarantee you that there's a fursona variant for each one of these points
I’m both the Disney-style one and the creature one. My “Disney-style” selfsona is one I designed myself, and he mostly just represents who I want to be and what I want to look like in real life. The creature persona was designed by my boyfriend to go with his persona, but it’s based off of things I associate with (bunnies and biblically accurate angels) and definitely represents my personality more
Same!! I draw my sona more like a really cartoony, unrealistic version of myself that I feel like more represents my personality rather than how I actually look, and when lavendertowne described the personality/habits of the creature sona artist it was like she was literally describing me exactly:')
Same lol drawing myself as a stupid goofy thing is the most fun I have drawing myself. I either draw my hair as the brutal ponytail or free and a living mess and it’s always funny
Throughout the video I kept thinking “I wonder if she’s gonna give us some rep for supremely autistic horror artists that draw themselves as lovecraftian entities”, and last description matched me so accurately that I started nervously giggling 😂 From personality to clothing preferences to the art style. Uncanny! And the first description matches so many of the people I know!
Same. I haven't settled on any one particular design, but mine are always some kinda little gremlin thing. xD Usually with little devil horns worked in somehow, because I'm also LGBTQ, and like... idk, drawing myself as a lil devil critter feels like a queer thing to me?
My selfsona actually started out as vent art and later evolved with my personal views of myself and the world. It represents my journey in a way and my feelings at the same time, I'm really proud of it. I also draw it in a cute/simplified/funny way (basically a scribble with limbs lol) because the actual selfsona is too complicated to doodle: it's a very detailed android with a hole where the face would be, and through the hole you can see a mere fraction of an everchanging universe. Also if you relate to the last one you should definetely look into voidpunk, you'll probably love it
OH that's just what I was thinking about!!! Their art is just so pretty and delicate and detailed and then the way they draw themselves in the most blobish, unflattering way possible, talking about such deep topics that clearly weight a lot on their heart- it actually makes me emotional
i always got the sense that the mangaka type selfsona was them at the peak of working to meet some impossible deadline so we were getting those little snippets of commentary from a version of them that maybe hadn't slept for several days, hadn't eaten anything more than stale crackers and questionable leftovers, and was probably had a caffeine iv straight to the bloodstream which always made it a little funnier. like the "here's what i look like while making this beautiful art" and the relatable stress of momentarily losing control because you're focused, determined, or just simply ready for a good nap
Another type of sona (which i personally use) is the humanoid figure sona. Not exactly a critter, Not exactly a human. It's usually characterized by having extra features or maybe different features like a TV-Head. Me personally, My sona consists of a guy with a little round floating blob for a head with big googly eyes, and a small little purple hoodie. It's simple, efficient, and fun to draw!
Ooo same! Mines are just personifications of the sun and moon as humanoid planets. Space/Galaxy aesthetics are a big favourite of mine so I incorporated it as the main aesthetic for my Sona/s
I do the blob sona thing!! I started as an insecure kid, because I was scared to draw myself too pretty and be judged lol, but now I just rlly like it. It’s quick, it’s easy and it makes for great doodles :D
I rarely ever draw myself, but in middle school I made my selfsona the “perfect” version of myself. After highschool though, I started feeling a bit more confident in how I look and my selfsona became more like the little blobs (going for cuteness instead of sloppiness though) I still don’t Like drawing myself a ton, but I’ve been trying to draw myself in more detail lately. It’s definitely hard to draw yourself without focusing on all of your flaws 😭😭
That’s a cool insight! I’ve definitely noticed that the more my self-confidence has grown, the less “idealized” my self-portraits become. Not more ugly, just more unique! No eyebrows, long thin nose, cute buck teeth. Things you don’t see much on Disney Princesses but make for a fun character design!
I don't really like drawing myself either, I kind of avoid that by just doing the first one, the "blob" sona, or in my case literally just a cloud person with no distinct features.
Maybe try focussing on the things you LIKE about yourself when drawing yourself? This is something I do whenever I get the courage to look in the mirror for longer than two seconds, and it’s slowly helping me with my self image, so maybe it would help in art version too! 💖
I’ve always struggled with a self sona cause I always felt after a while they became kinda a different character that no longer reflects me as a person, or never had to actually begin with. I appreciate this video as it gives me ideas for more avenues I could try for a depiction of myself I find more meaningful and accurate regardless of change, or one flexible enough to change with me.
This is me. I didn't use to be like this when I was a teen (Even tho I did suffer from Mary sue syndrome. Very cringe). But as a Adult. I can't make up my mind. If I draw something and like it. Give it a few weeks and I feel like it doesn't fit me anymore. Just the mere act of creating a Sona hurts my insides and makes me cringe. A lot of people create sona's as a form of self inserts. And I think that messes me up. Because I generally find them super cringy too. Naturally, I'm a very expressive person in real life. Very colorful, full of ideas, youthful, feminine,but simultaneously I can be very dark and deep. I can't translate this into a image. So I eventually just give up and use a black shadow of a woman, or some animal. But it's just a simple way of me saying. I can't relate to an actual person to represent me. I don't stick to any one image.
Oh yeah me too. I don't have a selfsona for this reasons. I'm just.. myself.. I don't need a separate body, every character of mine is my reflection in some way anyway. And if I tried to draw one, my preferences change too fast. I can't decide what to choose
@@chevchevir same, I feel like my self perception a broken mirror- I can see accurate pieces of myself, but the second I move those pieces don’t fit to make the same image anymore.
I was this way for a long time but eventually i just chose the very simple and unassuming black cat in my pfp, it still fits in my artstyle and can utilize almost every personality change so i have kept it.
For me, my old one used to be my wolf oc 😭😭 I've never been a furry, but I guess I just liked drawing animals (tho not anthro ones with clothes, just animals on four legs) Tho recently I literally just draw me (or my roblox avatar) in my art style now
@@prodavampiko just saying, its a very impressive skill to have. picasso was one of the greatest artists of all time!! props to her for mastering both skills
@@Dezyre4Cosmo his works aren’t for everyone. some people value the abstract styles, while others prefer more traditional looking art. his works arent really for me, but i respect him completely
Drawing myself helped me learn to love myself. I was able to see myself from the perspective of an artist rather than just from my own general perspective. Usually I would dramatize my own features, making them bigger or smaller or adding new piercings or hairstyles I wanted. Eventually I started drawing myself more accurately to my actual figure. I started to pay attention to my individual features and the way my body is built up of individual shapes and such, it helped me build the confidence I desperately needed as a teen.
You nailed it with the monster critter one. Sometimes critter takes the form of a more detailed creature or a more fantasy-oriented OC, but the sentiment is the same, do not perceive me, only perceive my creecher true self.
another creecher artist, it was scarily accurate and im worried that she is onto me, I have 0 ties to self portrates or any sort of actual self in art, just depicted ideas
@@wmoros4902 SAME! Well, not exactly, but i definitely never really draw myself, only alternative avatars to represent whatever mood i was in at that time, and when i did draw my irl self, i made it look horrible, with the features of myself i cannot stand, and the one time i did, i drew it in contrast to one of my avatars. And while i like to draw myself as a kind of monster, the monster itself is never truly defined, usually just a kind of dark inhuman silhouette with few glowing features. I like designing characters, but i would like it more if i was actually good at it, and i much prefer drawing creatures for characters instead of human beings (i kinda don't like them >_>)
As someone who encapsulates the cute lil' critter one, no you're not crazy lol. I just can't help but see myself as a silly little fluffy kitty. Ironically it's a more idealized version than the "Disney princess" one lol. And I felt attacked when you talked about growing up on DeviantArt influencing it, and irl I definitely don't look like I fit this.
The frumpy Webtoon/Manga artist inserts are always so adorable and funny. It's really charming and down-to-earth and I love hearing what they have to say after their works are finished (or a season finishes).
I draw myself as a cryptid. YOU DESCRIBED ME PERFECTLY. I have extremely bad dysmorphia mixed with dysphoria. So bad that I don’t feel human nor animal. YOU ARE AMAZING AT THIS!!!
This girl is the calmest art teacher I've ever met. Her voice is always so soothing to listen to and the channel's whole vibe is so mellow. I just love it. Ur amazing, Lavender!
Watching this made me realise how ive never drew myself before. In school i usually ran out of ideas and just draw my favourite cousin but the thought of drawing myself never came up in my mind. I am definitely going to give it a try if i ran out of ideas. Thinking about it now, i rarely look at myself in the mirror. I don't even know my own features 😰
My selfsona is kind of a mix between the idealized Disney one and the creature, they’re a monster-human hybrid and I made the human part similar to how I’d want to look. I’d also say I’m a pretty good mix between those two people also! Also the little touch on the Disney one saying ‘doesn’t draw self with glasses and scared of contacts’ is so true!!
Same here except I was drawing myself the way I look in my head. A lot of people think I’m completely making it up but nope, it’s an idealized version of how I look in my head.
Same! I was about to say that! My sona used to be a purely cryptic looking creature, an anthro dragon. Now she’s a satyr and her human features are the idealized version of how I would want to look. It’s funny how she went from cryptic to idealized, I still use both sonas though, depending on what I’m feeling like that day. I treat them as two separate characters. I also feel like I’m a mix between those two people. 😂
@@Wayfaring-Gremlin My pfp is the first sona I mentioned, the more cryptic and not so idealized one. I feel like she less resembles me and more my soul as the video was saying. The outer aspects of myself appearance, clothing, personality are more explored in my other sona, however more idealized.
Whenever I draw myself, I pretty much make myself into an Invader ZIM character, since my art style is heavily influenced by that series. I usually don't deviate too far from my regular look, though, like I give myself my actual hair color/style and draw myself wearing outfits that I already own. Not sure where that falls on this list, but there it is, lol.
I do a very similar thing, except I'm usually influenced by whatever show or artist I'm fascinated with at the moment. All of them wear outfits identical or very similar to ones I already own, but the art styles have looked like Steven Universe, Adventure Time, SamDoesArts, etc. I just like experimenting with different looks to see what feels best and is the most appealing to me. 🥰
In my case the way you described the self-creature artists is pretty accurate. With the exception of the chronically online trait because my anxiety is so bad I don't even want to be perceived online lmao. But I very much love my little creature. They're based off cryptids, aliens, demons, Joel G's ENA, and shapeshifters so they're a little out there. The only trait that remotely resembles me in them is my piercings and even then I took some creative libertys sense they're very not human. It's never boring drawing them
Very relatable. Also makes sense because I’m nonhuman too lmfaoo Never considered myself human or seen as a monster because of trauma but anyway, relatable as fuck
Going from idealized self to *creature* when drawing myself actually correlated with a huge confidence boost. I used to be more reclusive and shy, and got progressively more loud and chaotic. I live a second life as that cryptid that can stretch their limbs and have four eyes and be cool and it's on my best days that I feel like I live up to that somehow. The rest about character designing, being into writing as well, knowing a lot about internet culture, that's right on the mark, tho.
My selfsona actually originated as an OC which then grew to represent myself. Interestingly, you cannot see any of the features of my selfsona, they are all hidden by a mask and a long cloak. The primary colours are white, grey and green. For the mask, cloak and stones on the mask and torso, respectively.
Same thing happened to me. My selfsona also has a mask. It's like this dude with a black striped suit with a red hankerchief, a smiling mask and red glowing eyes behind the mask. It's very far from what i look like irl but who cares lmao
My one's basically like that, but it was originally a Hollow Knight OC. After that, I started watching shounen and shojou anime, tokusatsu, crime dramas, martial arts cinema and horror movies and all of that (plus a possible future story I'll be making) eventually became the selfsona you see in my profile photo. I might even use the character as a Vtuber model in the future if it doesn't mutate further.
I realized that I guess the character I liked to draw (originally my roblox avatar from a few years ago lol) is kinda my selfsona. It’s either me in a suit with a tv/old computer on my head, or a robot in a suit with that same head.
0:10 unflattering 3:47 realistic 6:45 cute animal 9:12 Disney princess 12:09 monster Edit: okay so a lot of people keep asking if their a monster or not, the answer is “do YOU think it’s a monster” I have no control over how you draw, if you want it to be a monster then go for it, if not then don’t. This video doesent inclide every single way possible so you could jsut wait for a part 2 if it’s made
I feel like the segment about Disney Princess-like Sonas fits perfectly with Superhero/Protagonist-type Sonas. Just like you said, these types of sonas often stem from young artists who are trying to envision their future self, the accomplishments they want to strive for, the shortcomings they want to make up for, and most importantly the fantasy that they want to turn into reality. For me, personally, I've always idolized superheroes, and have always wanted to be one. So, naturally, ever since I could draw, I've had this image of myself as a hero that everyone could count on. I wanted to be someone that wasn't shamed for his differences but was instead appreciated for them. Just like Spider-Man, and the Hulk, I wanted to be someone that was strong enough to keep going even if people thought the worst of me. I wanted to be someone who could proudly call themselves a good person without a shred of doubt. I feel like you really hit the nail on the head on the types of wishfulfillment, and insecurities an artist who draws such an idealized version of themself might have.
I'm on the same page. My selfsona is a typical anime protagonist/D&D knight character. While basic, I like the archetype. I initially drew her as a guy, but since I figured out I was trans she's been female, arguably with some magical girl-flavor added. Edit: It also checks out with wanting to draw an idealized self.
I tend to draw myself as an idealized me, and my sonas for various fandoms share a lot of my features. Eye colours ranging from brown to green because I have hazel eyes, glasses if I feel like drawing them, and comfy sweaters that I like to wear. I only really deviate from this if my sona is made for a show or something that expressly has magic, in which case I’ll give myself pink or purple hair. More often than not these colours will end up exclusively being a feature from a magical transformation because I really do love my hair colour. I like to think that I’m very comfortable with myself and the way I draw my sonas reflect how I feel.
Absolutely agreeee 💜 Most of my sonas or self inserts have the same hair, eye or skin colour as me. Lowkey also makes me feel better just drawing a character like me but also not me? Occasionally I will add purple somewhere cos it's my favourite colour, but other than that it's me! ^^
I'm most like the "Disney"-style one, I've always enjoyed drawing myself to be slightly idealized and it would be something I'd grow to gain, kind of like a way of telling myself "We like this, we want to be this. Lets put the effort in and become this", but I have also always made myself more mystical, kind of like how you said there will be bits in the design that are similar to media you (I'd) enjoyed. Most of the time my self-sona was like a witch, or "half demon" (which was honestly a little cringe), and as of most recent I make my self-sona to be half crystal, to kind of get that fun recognizable characteristic as if it's a separate character from my actual self. Drawing as a kid, as you and others may know can be a struggle. I knew kids who would struggle and give up, those who were instantly amazing, and those who would take years just to get good at drawing portraits. And I wish everyone knew that anyone can draw, some can do it easy but not everyone and that's okay. It's okay if it takes a while, practice makes perfect. As a teacher I had in high school once said "To do better, you must fail faster. You must make mistakes, and you will to get better at what you do." Failure is but a stepping stone to success
The last one fits me so well and I remember having the hardest time trying to decide how I would draw myself but then I realized I could draw myself as a mysterious hooded figure and it was like I had the most poignant epiphany of my life
i was scared you wouldn't add my category of persona, but you came in clutch with the last one. and holy SHIT, pretty much everything was spot on.... it's scary!!! as someone who doesn't really identify with any of the traditional genders, yk, i love seeing myself represented by something that doesn't fit in at all. i also just love ugly little creatures.
The way I draw myself is closest to the first one. My sona actually started as a way to make fun of myself a little, not necessarily in a self-deprecating way, but in a sort of silly self-aware way. I know I act a little weird sometimes, but I love myself for it! Over time, it became a consistent sona, and I like to make short comics with them sometimes. I also added more features and changed the art style a bit over time. I wish I could show a picture lol
I forgot to add - I think there is a kind of persona you missed that's very unlike the others. It's when an artist draws themselves in an emphasizedly 'wholesome' not cute kind of way but rather overly friendly cereal mascot way. Unfortunately, I noticed that such sonas usually belong to people who are rather shady in real life, for various reasons.
omg you actually got the monster persona so accurate for me. I draw myself as this creature because I feel like it matches me in spirit rather than me in person. Yes, I am completely a loner, don’t like fashion, and I have written novels that I haven’t finished. Love the video btw
Me too, my selfsona is a literal scribble blob with eyes, ears and a tail. That's just it and i resonate with it on a spiritual level. Though there are times i do fall in the first category i mostly find myself in the last one and everything she said about what it says about the artist was totally me😢
I identify myself a lot with the "creaturesona artist", even though my selfsona isn't that much extreme on the creature spectre (like the art you did for the little goblin-like creature). Mine is just a skeleton with goat horns and hoof, but I'm looking forward to get it more "creature-like" and interesting in contrast with my own self
This was such a fun video to watch! When it comes to drawing my selfsona, I just draw myself in my style. I have tried drawing myself differently than from what I look like irl, but bcs I'm (for a lack of a better word) indecisive when it comes to that I just mostly default to drawing a stylised version of my irl self, lol.
It's a minor thing but I really like your inclusion of Sakura Hime as a representation for Arina Tanemura's art style! I never hear anyone talk about it but it's my favorite series of hers!
I remember seeing junji ito for the first time and he looked like such a cinnamon roll and his personality was also that of one. It’s so funny cuz he seems so deadbeat and also denji-like in his self portrayals. For myself, I remember drawing this picture I use as my profile picture now, I painted her for the first time while testing colors and liked her so much I decided I wanted to be her and hence started a 3 year obsession. I draw much better now but that first piece still remains my profile picture in many places, I’ve drawn her so many times that drawing her takes no effort from me, I just know what goes where innately. I wish it was the same for my other ocs. It’s a strange obsession but it’s not too harmful other than whenever I accidentally draw her face when trying to draw other women since I tend to not draw women often and the ones I do draw end up looking masculine.
Don’t forget about the faceless one. Like crumb/cuptoast kinda they like to either be kind of mysterious or just shy, most of the time they just want to be anonymous
I do a mix of the very first (blob), and fourth (idealized version) *Blob* is for when I want to make fun of myself, and romanticize my issues. Usually, it starts out with me being upset and ends with me being absolutely delighted by this little critter I've drawn. 100% androgynous. No thoughts, no gender, only silly. *Idealized* is for when I'm imagining a hopeful future and how I might look once I get the treatment i need. These make me feel many things at once, rapidly going from hope to despair and back. They have more realistic proportions and I put more effort into the vibe they give off to me. In the end, they either end up as my profile picture for months, or get discarded in the "I need a couple months before I can look at this again" pile. 100% androgynous but in a gender kind of way. No silly. But the selfsona I WANT is just a little monster guy. No thinking about my disability or transition needed when drawing him. Just a little guy.
i feel this - i have a couple fursonas that i really like but i really can’t stick with one selfsona design for more than a month - what i WANT is a little creature but i end up drawing something idealised because i figure i should have something vaguely humanoid
Loved the video! I don’t know if I really have a ‘selfsona’ because I rarely, if ever, draw myself. I’m always drawing my OCs or just random people. But mostly my OCs. It’s also cool seeing your art style continue to evolve!
Fun video! The mascot I have for my art page definitely fits in line with your 'creature' assessment, it's a personified jar of jam. And yes, I am primarily into character design!
Okay, I raise you the way I draw myself: the Newgrounds disgusting characature, highlighting unappearling parts of one's appearance, adding a multitude of wrinkles and highly expressive Ren and Stimpy looking faces. It sounds like a self-dig but i actually like drawing myself like this because i dont have to be too consistent, and I can also have alot of fun with it just making myself laugh!
I relate a lot to the realism peep! I am in AP art this year and omg 😭😭. I'd love to own a hoodie that said "Van Gogh Away" as I personally love Van Gogh and his art a lot, and I relate to the sentiment. My posture is what you get if you dip a snake in ink and throw it rapidly at a piece of paper, lol. My hair isn't dyed though! I'm keeping my ginger mop. I'm pumped for the second volume of Unfamiliar as well!!! I loved the first one!!
i always loved drawing my persona/selfsona! i always made each sona iteration close to what i resemble IRL but with things that i like or resemble my interests at that time, such as giving myself rabbit ears (cause i love rabbits), a plant sprout on my head (originally as an inside joke to myself where i'd see people give their sonas that little "aesthetic" sprout on their head and gave a comically large one to myself to parody that but it ended up being a main staple design of my sona), and pink eyes (resembling my love for pink & personal growth), etc. but otherwise, it's neat to see that with every redesign I make to my selfsona it's like watching me grow up since I always liked to keep the appearance, interests and identity based on my own at the current time :))
Same! Like I have trichotillomania irl so i’ll reflect that on my persona by adding a scar or patch on the eyebrows of my selfsona. Or adding the odd gloves I made to prevent trichotillomania. True to self but drawn in a creative way
I draw myself as a silly little, kinda creepy void creature 9/10 times and.... You are 100% correct at least for myself lol When you said about a novel hidden in a word document i was just 👀 So yeah feels nice to be represented like that
My sona ended up being a pastel raccoon. I felt it best captured the state I'm in while working on big projects (hyperfixated, eating whatever's easy) and the simple cartoony shapes are really quick to draw for behind the scenes stuff. Things that I don't want to spend a lot of time on. Pictures of me don't reflect the imperfect chaos of making a thing.
15:57 Even though my selfsona is technically human I definitely relate to this one the most. I'm really bad at sociallizing and spend a LOT of time in my room or on discord. Though there isn't much excitement it's still a very nice and simple way to live, especially when you inhabit th role of your selfsona. Honestly, I feel like I find more joy as my SS than I do as a humanbeing. I think you got all of these spot on and I can't wait for even more amazing content! (This is kinda late but whatever.)
My artstyle is non existent because it changes drastically with every piece of art that I do but I always draw myself as this scraggly stick figure with really dark circles around my eyes and my always-wonky glasses. What’s also funny is that when I show some of my other artsy friends this, they say that the stick figure is quite accurate. I’m not sure what to think about that haha
“Art style non existent” dang! I wish I was you, it’s actually pretty nerve wracking when someone can recognize your art style! Forget about posting anonymously the people that know your art will be able to cherry pick it even out of a packed Pinterest feed! (Not like I’m speaking from personal experience or anything..) 💀
This reminds me when i first made my fursona, i just wanted to pour myself out onto the page and i haven’t made another sona since, i started him out simple and now i’ve grown him along side me, truth is i feel i really did pour myself out on the page that day, and i hope that whenever i show somebody my fursona it’s like looking at a picture of me. (of course probably from some alternate reality or whatever, but you get the idea.) Thanks for giving me another spark of inspiration, i need it.
I was a tad shocked by how well what you said for the last one fit me lmao. Especially the part about the little monster being like the person’s soul. Since I quite literally made my selfsona around different aspects of myself via color meaning (white for innocents and red for passion and all that jazz) Just a smol little vaguely humanoid creature made of shadow, fire, and ice lmao
I haven't ever found a selfsona that feels like me yet but I found this video really fun. I used to draw my self as a generic cat girl with glasses when I was thirteen then switched to a cute messy chibi girl when I was fifteen. Now I switch between chibi and a cartoonish-anime girl based off my real features. I'm trying to have a more anime style so I guess it makes sense that I'm going in that direction? Anyways thanks for the video Haley I always love your content!
I relate most to the last girl, but my selfsona is pretty different, I draw myself as a character thats similar to how I look but she represents my inner emotions so she's drawn in an exaggeratedly tired way. also her hairstyle never changes despite mine growing longer.
I've noticed that the chubby little goober sona style is also rather common in the Vtuber community. RubberRoss immediately comes to mind, along with his pals.
OMG THE LAST PART DEACRIBES ME FAR TOO WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY UPMOST GRATITUDE FOR I FELT REPRESENTED!! I am already met with humanity on a day-to-day basis, so i feel more inclined to seek novelty and pursue variety and inhumane concepts. I feel more represented with little chaotic goblins rather than my human skin and flesh. I love this video!!
It's the same for me, I love challenging myself with non-human ocs and my voidsona represents me more than how I look in real life lol. You might want to look into voidpunk, you'll probably like it.
wow i did not expect to have my type of selfsona to be included until that last one! as a neurodivergent person i really struggle with self expression in a way that makes me happy with who i am and for the past few months ive been experimenting with that including my self sona im an artist as well so drawing myself is an essential part of my self expression and the way i drew myself ..it never felt right to me no matter what and recently i realized that i really symphasize with non human creatures especially robots and i felt so comfortable and enpowered by drawing myself as a little cyborg guy this made me so happy and confident about my identity soo yeah im a creature self sona type of guy also yeah the things that you said about people who draw themselves as creatures are pretty accurate to my own experience
I rarely draw myself but when I do it's always in realism. I think it's because I see myself every day that makes me not want to draw myself. That and maybe self esteem issues lol. Your video made me realize I've never made an intentional persona. And yes I am in school for art. 😅
Something I found funny is I draw myself as my main fursona, and the last description was basically me. Also, amazing job with portraying these, I always am mesmerized by your art!
My Sona is partially made from how OTHER people perceived me at the time as opposed to myself. But only partially. There used to be a challenge where you ask your audience to describe a character trait by trait from the impression you give off online and with your art, and the base things such as species, color palette and general style of my Sona were described from that. I definitely had most control over her so I integrated a loooot of my actual traits for her, but honestly she's kinda a lil more like an OC that is extremely close to how I identify in personality and feel like, has same interests and everything, but looks nothing like me and that I use as a stand-in for myself! I do also occasionally do an actual self-portrait but stylized, but it's usually just something done out of curiosity or the desire to compare my Sona to how I actually look :D
I have my own sona-verse made up of different iterations of myself, each one expressing a different emotion or part of my identity. I have one for my inner child, another as my "voice of reason", another that represents my flaws, another for bad habits (those last two usually come as a pair), and finally, an idealized version of my current self. Their designs change with time and depending on the situation. its cool when im bored, i can just zone out and watch them bicker with each other lol
I draw myself as a little bloby chibi character (Like the first example) with big eyes but no puplis. I used to do it as a "Soul less" motif but as I have taken better care of my depression and self image I keep it more as a "guarded" motif because the eyes are the window to the soul and I'm not always one to share that.
I can’t draw(I’m an audio engineer) but I’m a huge fan of your approach to artistry and the mindset of said artists. I’ve binged your channel quite a bit and although I can’t draw I very much appreciate your work
Watched this video last night, and got inspired to do a realistic self portrait. I rarely draw (I usually make 3d scenes in Blender), and have drawn people probably less than 10 times since I was a child, most of those just full body people drawn on index cards. But I pulled out my sketch book, and spent a while on a self portrait. Just a small one at first (fits in 1.5" square), drawing everything in the same order as in the time-lapse. While it was a bit after 1am at this point, I decided to try again but bigger do avoid some problems I face when drawing so small. I ended up spending about 2 hours on it, and while not perfect, I'm really proud of it and glad I watched this video so thank you!
As someone who’s trying to learn portraiture at the moment (I’m actually working on a self-portrait rn) I appreciate your comments about practicing using yourself- I hadn’t thought about it much, but I think I might be putting some of my features into my other studies. Definitely going to think about that going forward!
Totally with you on the selfsona peek into the future thing. I've never really drawn myself a lot, but whenever I did draw representations of myself I've always given myself short hair even though I've always had long hair. I've since cut my hair short and even though I was expecting it to be a huge difference, I just feel more like me. Like this is how I was always supposed to look and feel and my art was just me knowing that before I had the confidence to act on it.
I'm definitely closest to the last one, what she said about how you'd want to be perceived was really relatable. I've also been struggling with a lot of indecision in my designs, and this video really helped me slow down and think a bit more clearly about it, so thanks!
unfamiliar finale comes out so soon!!!!! preorder link here if you y'know wanna get it >< tinyurl.com/unfamiliar2
Yayy!!!!
Cool!
I'M SO EXCITEDDDD!!!
lets gooo 🔥🔥
YAYYYY
there's also the cool idealized fantasy sona where the sona wears the clothes you want but dont have, usually a demon or fantastical being. There's two sides of this one though, there's the fully rendered amazing peices you have of the sona and then the silly simplified blobs in the corners of your sketchbook. It makes draawing yourself a lot more fun (in my experience dont know if this is a common one)
Yeppp. My selfsona is a cartoony version of myself.. with bird wings
My sona is like this too, and ig I just interpreted it as the mystical creature last one.
my sona is just kinda me but as a unhinged, neon-clothed demon
yep! my selfsona is an interdimensional being made of three blobs, one triangle, 4 lines, spikey hair and a star tail...
That’s me. My sona is a demon wolf . She is beautiful but has a cold personality.
I really love how Haley draws herself as a selfsona! It's simple but iconic ❤
IKR
Real
That’s what a selfsona means Sherlock
@@Webofaspideryou’re so cool, smart, and edgy omg wowza
@iknowwhatyouare102 omg ur name is so right you do know who they are!
I'm always a fan of the people who draw themselves as just the friendliest people imaginable. The fluffy haired himbo bakers, the very approachable teachers, the Ms. Honeys, the uncle Irohs, the knitting grandmas and outdoorsy art couples
MATILDA REFERENCE?
ATLA REFERENCE?
Uhhh, ordinary grandmas reference?!?!?!
oh, uh, normal outdoor reference?
A b-baker reference..?
I live how we have come up with the term "selfsona" from fursona, rather than just saying "persona".
Persona in Spanish literally means person so maybe that would be kinda confusing when talking about it 😭
"Persona" already has a different meaning though. As in, RUclipsrs often put on a persona when they make videos
im the 200th like
Ah yes persona, the 'we have JoJo at home' of video game series.
(No shade, I loved what I've played of them).😊
@@Frogeatingbugs He probably translated it, because the text between the "" sometimes doesn’t translate or maybe he hit an extra A.
I always like seeing a highly-detailed artists who's just "a little guy". For one, it's memorable and makes for a great profile pic. Second, I can kinda understand the mood. It's basically just a way to draw themselves without feeling the pressure of being good. Like it's just "I'm tired and I wanna be a scrungly blob."
Also as a furry, I can guarantee you that there's a fursona variant for each one of these points
YES!! YES YES YES
I love being a little furry blob. It's funny and endearing
Little guy nation!
FURRYS UNITE!
Not a furry, but I do use a cat as a Sona! Definitely Leads more to blob.
@@Storm-bv7pc R U sure ABT that
I’m both the Disney-style one and the creature one. My “Disney-style” selfsona is one I designed myself, and he mostly just represents who I want to be and what I want to look like in real life. The creature persona was designed by my boyfriend to go with his persona, but it’s based off of things I associate with (bunnies and biblically accurate angels) and definitely represents my personality more
in what way do you associate with bibically accurate angels? (this is a genuine question, i am very intrigued by these kinds of things)
My selfsona is a rat in the shape of a circle
My selfsona (the one I use a lot) is a trans pony 🎉
My sona is a lil guy with bucket on his head
Same!! I draw my sona more like a really cartoony, unrealistic version of myself that I feel like more represents my personality rather than how I actually look, and when lavendertowne described the personality/habits of the creature sona artist it was like she was literally describing me exactly:')
I love drawing myself the most trashy and goofy version of myself, it’s hella fun for doodling. And you’re right, the scraggly facial hair is a must
Same lol drawing myself as a stupid goofy thing is the most fun I have drawing myself. I either draw my hair as the brutal ponytail or free and a living mess and it’s always funny
Lol I felt so called out! that’s just what my facial hair is really like so that’s how I draw it.
My self sona is literally a scribble blob with cat ear and eyes... That's it and that's all it'll ever be
I draw myself as a pear shaped person with a ponytail ,huge dark eyebags and fangs .
My selfsona is very similar to rayman’s lmao
I love goofy art
ARE WE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REALISTIC DRAWING?? LIKE THAT IS SO GOOD
Throughout the video I kept thinking “I wonder if she’s gonna give us some rep for supremely autistic horror artists that draw themselves as lovecraftian entities”, and last description matched me so accurately that I started nervously giggling 😂 From personality to clothing preferences to the art style. Uncanny! And the first description matches so many of the people I know!
ME TOOOOO
REAL
deadass imma need to check for cameras in my room it was little bit too accurate O-O
Same. I haven't settled on any one particular design, but mine are always some kinda little gremlin thing. xD Usually with little devil horns worked in somehow, because I'm also LGBTQ, and like... idk, drawing myself as a lil devil critter feels like a queer thing to me?
Me too except I gave up on my October art prompts a week in.
Can we just talk about how good LT's realism has gotten? Good job, Hailey!!
she's always been drawing pretty great realism, ever since her time in art school
hello engineer
زاخاریان؟
Mmm Mhpm mm Mh mmm [here, have chocolate milk bc u epic]
Nice going, hardhat!
My selfsona actually started out as vent art and later evolved with my personal views of myself and the world. It represents my journey in a way and my feelings at the same time, I'm really proud of it. I also draw it in a cute/simplified/funny way (basically a scribble with limbs lol) because the actual selfsona is too complicated to doodle: it's a very detailed android with a hole where the face would be, and through the hole you can see a mere fraction of an everchanging universe. Also if you relate to the last one you should definetely look into voidpunk, you'll probably love it
That sounds awesome!!
oh wow that’s so cool
hell yeah, voidpunk! i've tried multiple kinds of selfsonas and just haven't figured it out
@@SpikeyBagel Don't give up, one day you'll create something that really reflects you👍
@@vi4654 thanks :>
"Van Gogh Away" 😭😭😭😭
AND THE MOMENT U MENTIONED PERCY JACKSON, MY WHOLE FACE LIT THE HELL UP. BRO THAT SERIES IS MY CHILDHOOD 😭❤️
Omg yessss
I liked Shuzo Oshimi's selfsonas in Inside Mari, all amorphous blobs and then they just start talking about the concept of erotic baptism
coincidentally i finished the manga yesterday
OH that's just what I was thinking about!!! Their art is just so pretty and delicate and detailed and then the way they draw themselves in the most blobish, unflattering way possible, talking about such deep topics that clearly weight a lot on their heart- it actually makes me emotional
i'm literally rereading Inside Mari rn !!!
EXCUSE ME- EROTIC BAPTISM
That sounds like something I would do. Just a little scrungly that just says the most out of pocket shit
i always got the sense that the mangaka type selfsona was them at the peak of working to meet some impossible deadline so we were getting those little snippets of commentary from a version of them that maybe hadn't slept for several days, hadn't eaten anything more than stale crackers and questionable leftovers, and was probably had a caffeine iv straight to the bloodstream which always made it a little funnier. like the "here's what i look like while making this beautiful art" and the relatable stress of momentarily losing control because you're focused, determined, or just simply ready for a good nap
Another type of sona (which i personally use) is the humanoid figure sona. Not exactly a critter, Not exactly a human. It's usually characterized by having extra features or maybe different features like a TV-Head. Me personally, My sona consists of a guy with a little round floating blob for a head with big googly eyes, and a small little purple hoodie. It's simple, efficient, and fun to draw!
Cool my critters a fish head man
Ooo same! Mines are just personifications of the sun and moon as humanoid planets. Space/Galaxy aesthetics are a big favourite of mine so I incorporated it as the main aesthetic for my Sona/s
MR PUZZLES???
The charecter I use to basically be me is a plant guy
The creaturesona
I do the blob sona thing!! I started as an insecure kid, because I was scared to draw myself too pretty and be judged lol, but now I just rlly like it. It’s quick, it’s easy and it makes for great doodles :D
I rarely ever draw myself, but in middle school I made my selfsona the “perfect” version of myself. After highschool though, I started feeling a bit more confident in how I look and my selfsona became more like the little blobs (going for cuteness instead of sloppiness though)
I still don’t Like drawing myself a ton, but I’ve been trying to draw myself in more detail lately. It’s definitely hard to draw yourself without focusing on all of your flaws 😭😭
That’s a cool insight! I’ve definitely noticed that the more my self-confidence has grown, the less “idealized” my self-portraits become. Not more ugly, just more unique! No eyebrows, long thin nose, cute buck teeth. Things you don’t see much on Disney Princesses but make for a fun character design!
I don't really like drawing myself either, I kind of avoid that by just doing the first one, the "blob" sona, or in my case literally just a cloud person with no distinct features.
The trick is not to see them as flaws (which I know is easier said than done)
omg same!! I draw myself as a little blob of a fairy thing
Maybe try focussing on the things you LIKE about yourself when drawing yourself?
This is something I do whenever I get the courage to look in the mirror for longer than two seconds, and it’s slowly helping me with my self image, so maybe it would help in art version too! 💖
I’ve always struggled with a self sona cause I always felt after a while they became kinda a different character that no longer reflects me as a person, or never had to actually begin with. I appreciate this video as it gives me ideas for more avenues I could try for a depiction of myself I find more meaningful and accurate regardless of change, or one flexible enough to change with me.
This is me. I didn't use to be like this when I was a teen (Even tho I did suffer from Mary sue syndrome. Very cringe). But as a Adult. I can't make up my mind. If I draw something and like it. Give it a few weeks and I feel like it doesn't fit me anymore. Just the mere act of creating a Sona hurts my insides and makes me cringe.
A lot of people create sona's as a form of self inserts. And I think that messes me up. Because I generally find them super cringy too. Naturally, I'm a very expressive person in real life. Very colorful, full of ideas, youthful, feminine,but simultaneously I can be very dark and deep.
I can't translate this into a image. So I eventually just give up and use a black shadow of a woman, or some animal.
But it's just a simple way of me saying. I can't relate to an actual person to represent me. I don't stick to any one image.
Oh yeah me too. I don't have a selfsona for this reasons. I'm just.. myself.. I don't need a separate body, every character of mine is my reflection in some way anyway. And if I tried to draw one, my preferences change too fast. I can't decide what to choose
@@chevchevir same, I feel like my self perception a broken mirror- I can see accurate pieces of myself, but the second I move those pieces don’t fit to make the same image anymore.
I was this way for a long time but eventually i just chose the very simple and unassuming black cat in my pfp, it still fits in my artstyle and can utilize almost every personality change so i have kept it.
For me, my old one used to be my wolf oc 😭😭 I've never been a furry, but I guess I just liked drawing animals (tho not anthro ones with clothes, just animals on four legs)
Tho recently I literally just draw me (or my roblox avatar) in my art style now
She draws so cartoony, but she is also amazing at realism!! Wow!!
Her realism has improved so much since having to do it in art school, you should definitely look at her old realism vids and see the comparison to now
i mean that´s not uncommon, ever heard of picasso?
@@prodavampiko just saying, its a very impressive skill to have. picasso was one of the greatest artists of all time!! props to her for mastering both skills
@@blues.iguanaPicasso is overrated, he draws like a literal child
@@Dezyre4Cosmo his works aren’t for everyone. some people value the abstract styles, while others prefer more traditional looking art. his works arent really for me, but i respect him completely
Drawing myself helped me learn to love myself. I was able to see myself from the perspective of an artist rather than just from my own general perspective.
Usually I would dramatize my own features, making them bigger or smaller or adding new piercings or hairstyles I wanted. Eventually I started drawing myself more accurately to my actual figure.
I started to pay attention to my individual features and the way my body is built up of individual shapes and such, it helped me build the confidence I desperately needed as a teen.
You nailed it with the monster critter one.
Sometimes critter takes the form of a more detailed creature or a more fantasy-oriented OC, but the sentiment is the same, do not perceive me, only perceive my creecher true self.
another creecher artist, it was scarily accurate and im worried that she is onto me, I have 0 ties to self portrates or any sort of actual self in art, just depicted ideas
@@wmoros4902 SAME! Well, not exactly, but i definitely never really draw myself, only alternative avatars to represent whatever mood i was in at that time, and when i did draw my irl self, i made it look horrible, with the features of myself i cannot stand, and the one time i did, i drew it in contrast to one of my avatars. And while i like to draw myself as a kind of monster, the monster itself is never truly defined, usually just a kind of dark inhuman silhouette with few glowing features. I like designing characters, but i would like it more if i was actually good at it, and i much prefer drawing creatures for characters instead of human beings (i kinda don't like them >_>)
As someone who encapsulates the cute lil' critter one, no you're not crazy lol. I just can't help but see myself as a silly little fluffy kitty. Ironically it's a more idealized version than the "Disney princess" one lol.
And I felt attacked when you talked about growing up on DeviantArt influencing it, and irl I definitely don't look like I fit this.
The frumpy Webtoon/Manga artist inserts are always so adorable and funny.
It's really charming and down-to-earth and I love hearing what they have to say after their works are finished (or a season finishes).
I draw myself as a cryptid. YOU DESCRIBED ME PERFECTLY.
I have extremely bad dysmorphia mixed with dysphoria. So bad that I don’t feel human nor animal.
YOU ARE AMAZING AT THIS!!!
This girl is the calmest art teacher I've ever met. Her voice is always so soothing to listen to and the channel's whole vibe is so mellow. I just love it. Ur amazing, Lavender!
Fr she missed her calling in ASMR
@@IggyTthundersthe creepydrawstas are pretty close
@@kgddugvjjI agree 100%. Her voice gives me ASMR tingles
Watching this made me realise how ive never drew myself before. In school i usually ran out of ideas and just draw my favourite cousin but the thought of drawing myself never came up in my mind. I am definitely going to give it a try if i ran out of ideas. Thinking about it now, i rarely look at myself in the mirror. I don't even know my own features 😰
Lol!❤
Realllll
this is so real,, i can’t even remember the last time i drew my fursona
Makes me think of that dog mirror comic
Same
My selfsona is kind of a mix between the idealized Disney one and the creature, they’re a monster-human hybrid and I made the human part similar to how I’d want to look. I’d also say I’m a pretty good mix between those two people also!
Also the little touch on the Disney one saying ‘doesn’t draw self with glasses and scared of contacts’ is so true!!
Same I was about to comment this !! ^^
Same here except I was drawing myself the way I look in my head. A lot of people think I’m completely making it up but nope, it’s an idealized version of how I look in my head.
Same! I was about to say that! My sona used to be a purely cryptic looking creature, an anthro dragon. Now she’s a satyr and her human features are the idealized version of how I would want to look. It’s funny how she went from cryptic to idealized, I still use both sonas though, depending on what I’m feeling like that day. I treat them as two separate characters. I also feel like I’m a mix between those two people. 😂
@@emorakarizen7003 your sonas sound very awesome! :D
@@Wayfaring-Gremlin My pfp is the first sona I mentioned, the more cryptic and not so idealized one. I feel like she less resembles me and more my soul as the video was saying. The outer aspects of myself appearance, clothing, personality are more explored in my other sona, however more idealized.
Whenever I draw myself, I pretty much make myself into an Invader ZIM character, since my art style is heavily influenced by that series. I usually don't deviate too far from my regular look, though, like I give myself my actual hair color/style and draw myself wearing outfits that I already own. Not sure where that falls on this list, but there it is, lol.
I do a very similar thing, except I'm usually influenced by whatever show or artist I'm fascinated with at the moment. All of them wear outfits identical or very similar to ones I already own, but the art styles have looked like Steven Universe, Adventure Time, SamDoesArts, etc. I just like experimenting with different looks to see what feels best and is the most appealing to me. 🥰
In my case the way you described the self-creature artists is pretty accurate. With the exception of the chronically online trait because my anxiety is so bad I don't even want to be perceived online lmao. But I very much love my little creature. They're based off cryptids, aliens, demons, Joel G's ENA, and shapeshifters so they're a little out there. The only trait that remotely resembles me in them is my piercings and even then I took some creative libertys sense they're very not human. It's never boring drawing them
Glad to know I'm not alone
Relatable as fuck
Very relatable. Also makes sense because I’m nonhuman too lmfaoo
Never considered myself human or seen as a monster because of trauma but anyway, relatable as fuck
LAMEEDMDJJEHOEHNHGH??? Could it be trauma related ? That would make a world of sense!!@@LingeringCryptids
I fully relate to that but instead of my self sona being a creature, I literally draw my roblox avatar ☠️
Going from idealized self to *creature* when drawing myself actually correlated with a huge confidence boost. I used to be more reclusive and shy, and got progressively more loud and chaotic. I live a second life as that cryptid that can stretch their limbs and have four eyes and be cool and it's on my best days that I feel like I live up to that somehow. The rest about character designing, being into writing as well, knowing a lot about internet culture, that's right on the mark, tho.
My selfsona actually originated as an OC which then grew to represent myself.
Interestingly, you cannot see any of the features of my selfsona, they are all hidden by a mask and a long cloak. The primary colours are white, grey and green. For the mask, cloak and stones on the mask and torso, respectively.
Mine’s the opposite. It started as a selfsona but now is just my favorite character to draw
Same thing happened to me. My selfsona also has a mask. It's like this dude with a black striped suit with a red hankerchief, a smiling mask and red glowing eyes behind the mask. It's very far from what i look like irl but who cares lmao
My one's basically like that, but it was originally a Hollow Knight OC. After that, I started watching shounen and shojou anime, tokusatsu, crime dramas, martial arts cinema and horror movies and all of that (plus a possible future story I'll be making) eventually became the selfsona you see in my profile photo.
I might even use the character as a Vtuber model in the future if it doesn't mutate further.
I realized that I guess the character I liked to draw (originally my roblox avatar from a few years ago lol) is kinda my selfsona. It’s either me in a suit with a tv/old computer on my head, or a robot in a suit with that same head.
@@grilledoven that it in your profile picture?
That "draws yourself as a lil monster" description is me. Literally me. Just- the most accurate description save for the really skilled part.
0:10 unflattering
3:47 realistic
6:45 cute animal
9:12 Disney princess
12:09 monster
Edit: okay so a lot of people keep asking if their a monster or not, the answer is
“do YOU think it’s a monster”
I have no control over how you draw, if you want it to be a monster then go for it, if not then don’t. This video doesent inclide every single way possible so you could jsut wait for a part 2 if it’s made
Thank you
Doing God's work
I draw myself as a biblically accurate angel, so does that count for monster or-
@@SproutiusShrubiusthe16th honestly up to you , do you classify it as a monster?
@@SpiritArcticfox I mean, I guess-
I feel like the segment about Disney Princess-like Sonas fits perfectly with Superhero/Protagonist-type Sonas. Just like you said, these types of sonas often stem from young artists who are trying to envision their future self, the accomplishments they want to strive for, the shortcomings they want to make up for, and most importantly the fantasy that they want to turn into reality.
For me, personally, I've always idolized superheroes, and have always wanted to be one. So, naturally, ever since I could draw, I've had this image of myself as a hero that everyone could count on. I wanted to be someone that wasn't shamed for his differences but was instead appreciated for them. Just like Spider-Man, and the Hulk, I wanted to be someone that was strong enough to keep going even if people thought the worst of me. I wanted to be someone who could proudly call themselves a good person without a shred of doubt.
I feel like you really hit the nail on the head on the types of wishfulfillment, and insecurities an artist who draws such an idealized version of themself might have.
I'm on the same page. My selfsona is a typical anime protagonist/D&D knight character. While basic, I like the archetype.
I initially drew her as a guy, but since I figured out I was trans she's been female, arguably with some magical girl-flavor added.
Edit: It also checks out with wanting to draw an idealized self.
I tend to draw myself as an idealized me, and my sonas for various fandoms share a lot of my features. Eye colours ranging from brown to green because I have hazel eyes, glasses if I feel like drawing them, and comfy sweaters that I like to wear. I only really deviate from this if my sona is made for a show or something that expressly has magic, in which case I’ll give myself pink or purple hair. More often than not these colours will end up exclusively being a feature from a magical transformation because I really do love my hair colour. I like to think that I’m very comfortable with myself and the way I draw my sonas reflect how I feel.
Absolutely agreeee 💜 Most of my sonas or self inserts have the same hair, eye or skin colour as me. Lowkey also makes me feel better just drawing a character like me but also not me?
Occasionally I will add purple somewhere cos it's my favourite colour, but other than that it's me! ^^
I feel so seen with these two comments😂😭💜
6:24 “van goph away”. Master piece
I'm most like the "Disney"-style one, I've always enjoyed drawing myself to be slightly idealized and it would be something I'd grow to gain, kind of like a way of telling myself "We like this, we want to be this. Lets put the effort in and become this", but I have also always made myself more mystical, kind of like how you said there will be bits in the design that are similar to media you (I'd) enjoyed. Most of the time my self-sona was like a witch, or "half demon" (which was honestly a little cringe), and as of most recent I make my self-sona to be half crystal, to kind of get that fun recognizable characteristic as if it's a separate character from my actual self.
Drawing as a kid, as you and others may know can be a struggle. I knew kids who would struggle and give up, those who were instantly amazing, and those who would take years just to get good at drawing portraits. And I wish everyone knew that anyone can draw, some can do it easy but not everyone and that's okay. It's okay if it takes a while, practice makes perfect.
As a teacher I had in high school once said "To do better, you must fail faster. You must make mistakes, and you will to get better at what you do." Failure is but a stepping stone to success
The last one fits me so well and I remember having the hardest time trying to decide how I would draw myself but then I realized I could draw myself as a mysterious hooded figure and it was like I had the most poignant epiphany of my life
This happened to me too, I now draw myself as a little ghost character
i was scared you wouldn't add my category of persona, but you came in clutch with the last one. and holy SHIT, pretty much everything was spot on.... it's scary!!! as someone who doesn't really identify with any of the traditional genders, yk, i love seeing myself represented by something that doesn't fit in at all. i also just love ugly little creatures.
SAME OMG
literally
Fr
I was literally thinking the same thing!! We're so in sync.
I’ve found my people-
I have forgotten how calming it is to listen to LavenderTowne ramble on and on while animating :∆
0:53 I found the cheat code, I just need to draw myself ugly and I'll become attractive
The way I draw myself is closest to the first one. My sona actually started as a way to make fun of myself a little, not necessarily in a self-deprecating way, but in a sort of silly self-aware way. I know I act a little weird sometimes, but I love myself for it! Over time, it became a consistent sona, and I like to make short comics with them sometimes. I also added more features and changed the art style a bit over time. I wish I could show a picture lol
I forgot to add - I think there is a kind of persona you missed that's very unlike the others. It's when an artist draws themselves in an emphasizedly 'wholesome' not cute kind of way but rather overly friendly cereal mascot way. Unfortunately, I noticed that such sonas usually belong to people who are rather shady in real life, for various reasons.
My first thought was Butch Hartman-
wait help why is this comment so accurate-
The monster oc is spot on especially with the horror movie stuff. I have a whole collection of horror movies on blu ray
omg you actually got the monster persona so accurate for me. I draw myself as this creature because I feel like it matches me in spirit rather than me in person. Yes, I am completely a loner, don’t like fashion, and I have written novels that I haven’t finished. Love the video btw
Me too, my selfsona is a literal scribble blob with eyes, ears and a tail. That's just it and i resonate with it on a spiritual level. Though there are times i do fall in the first category i mostly find myself in the last one and everything she said about what it says about the artist was totally me😢
I identify myself a lot with the "creaturesona artist", even though my selfsona isn't that much extreme on the creature spectre (like the art you did for the little goblin-like creature). Mine is just a skeleton with goat horns and hoof, but I'm looking forward to get it more "creature-like" and interesting in contrast with my own self
Me too lol! But I’m just a furry lol
This was such a fun video to watch!
When it comes to drawing my selfsona, I just draw myself in my style. I have tried drawing myself differently than from what I look like irl, but bcs I'm (for a lack of a better word) indecisive when it comes to that I just mostly default to drawing a stylised version of my irl self, lol.
It's a minor thing but I really like your inclusion of Sakura Hime as a representation for Arina Tanemura's art style! I never hear anyone talk about it but it's my favorite series of hers!
I remember seeing junji ito for the first time and he looked like such a cinnamon roll and his personality was also that of one. It’s so funny cuz he seems so deadbeat and also denji-like in his self portrayals.
For myself, I remember drawing this picture I use as my profile picture now, I painted her for the first time while testing colors and liked her so much I decided I wanted to be her and hence started a 3 year obsession. I draw much better now but that first piece still remains my profile picture in many places, I’ve drawn her so many times that drawing her takes no effort from me, I just know what goes where innately. I wish it was the same for my other ocs. It’s a strange obsession but it’s not too harmful other than whenever I accidentally draw her face when trying to draw other women since I tend to not draw women often and the ones I do draw end up looking masculine.
At the last part, for me I do the complete opposite, but hey, at least I can draw femboys...
@@Rosetintedwater I can draw femboys too, I mainly draw pretty men.
The more she drew and talked about the idealized selfsona, the more called out i felt
14:42 you are literally describing how I draw myself and that is how i literally look like in real life
Don’t forget about the faceless one. Like crumb/cuptoast kinda they like to either be kind of mysterious or just shy, most of the time they just want to be anonymous
I do a mix of the very first (blob), and fourth (idealized version)
*Blob* is for when I want to make fun of myself, and romanticize my issues. Usually, it starts out with me being upset and ends with me being absolutely delighted by this little critter I've drawn. 100% androgynous. No thoughts, no gender, only silly.
*Idealized* is for when I'm imagining a hopeful future and how I might look once I get the treatment i need. These make me feel many things at once, rapidly going from hope to despair and back. They have more realistic proportions and I put more effort into the vibe they give off to me. In the end, they either end up as my profile picture for months, or get discarded in the "I need a couple months before I can look at this again" pile. 100% androgynous but in a gender kind of way. No silly.
But the selfsona I WANT is just a little monster guy. No thinking about my disability or transition needed when drawing him. Just a little guy.
Yes no gender only silly
i feel this - i have a couple fursonas that i really like but i really can’t stick with one selfsona design for more than a month - what i WANT is a little creature but i end up drawing something idealised because i figure i should have something vaguely humanoid
Loved the video! I don’t know if I really have a ‘selfsona’ because I rarely, if ever, draw myself. I’m always drawing my OCs or just random people. But mostly my OCs. It’s also cool seeing your art style continue to evolve!
sameee, but sometimes i draw myself in a lil chibi style
I almost only draw my selfsona, I barely have any OCs
If we combine our skills we will finally have an equal balance of both lol
same
Same. You can see my "selfsona" right in my pfp. It's just me but with blue eyes in my normal style lol
Same! The last time I drew myself was only for school in like..8th grade
Fun video! The mascot I have for my art page definitely fits in line with your 'creature' assessment, it's a personified jar of jam. And yes, I am primarily into character design!
Okay, I raise you the way I draw myself: the Newgrounds disgusting characature, highlighting unappearling parts of one's appearance, adding a multitude of wrinkles and highly expressive Ren and Stimpy looking faces.
It sounds like a self-dig but i actually like drawing myself like this because i dont have to be too consistent, and I can also have alot of fun with it just making myself laugh!
I relate a lot to the realism peep! I am in AP art this year and omg 😭😭. I'd love to own a hoodie that said "Van Gogh Away" as I personally love Van Gogh and his art a lot, and I relate to the sentiment. My posture is what you get if you dip a snake in ink and throw it rapidly at a piece of paper, lol. My hair isn't dyed though! I'm keeping my ginger mop. I'm pumped for the second volume of Unfamiliar as well!!! I loved the first one!!
Nice metaphor lol snake paint
I love these types of videos. Her artist video, her art tool video, this. This woman is a goddess.
Aww, these were some cute lil’ callouts that made my day! 😆
i always loved drawing my persona/selfsona! i always made each sona iteration close to what i resemble IRL but with things that i like or resemble my interests at that time, such as giving myself rabbit ears (cause i love rabbits), a plant sprout on my head (originally as an inside joke to myself where i'd see people give their sonas that little "aesthetic" sprout on their head and gave a comically large one to myself to parody that but it ended up being a main staple design of my sona), and pink eyes (resembling my love for pink & personal growth), etc. but otherwise, it's neat to see that with every redesign I make to my selfsona it's like watching me grow up since I always liked to keep the appearance, interests and identity based on my own at the current time :))
Same! Like I have trichotillomania irl so i’ll reflect that on my persona by adding a scar or patch on the eyebrows of my selfsona. Or adding the odd gloves I made to prevent trichotillomania. True to self but drawn in a creative way
Same my sona is basically me but with cute little accessories sometimes
Finally s9me who mixes all this too!!!
I draw myself as a silly little, kinda creepy void creature 9/10 times and.... You are 100% correct at least for myself lol
When you said about a novel hidden in a word document i was just 👀
So yeah feels nice to be represented like that
Yo we both silly creatures lol
Silly creature gang
YAhHs iM a LiTeRaL gObLiN
As you can see by my pfp
I do enjoy a good creepy creature
@@YourLocalEldritchHorror 🕸️☁️ Same 👌
My sona ended up being a pastel raccoon. I felt it best captured the state I'm in while working on big projects (hyperfixated, eating whatever's easy) and the simple cartoony shapes are really quick to draw for behind the scenes stuff. Things that I don't want to spend a lot of time on. Pictures of me don't reflect the imperfect chaos of making a thing.
15:57
Even though my selfsona is technically human I definitely relate to this one the most. I'm really bad at sociallizing and spend a LOT of time in my room or on discord. Though there isn't much excitement it's still a very nice and simple way to live, especially when you inhabit th role of your selfsona. Honestly, I feel like I find more joy as my SS than I do as a humanbeing. I think you got all of these spot on and I can't wait for even more amazing content! (This is kinda late but whatever.)
I love your art style so much
We have the same pfp WHATTTT 😢❤❤❤❤
@@SmolP0rkCh0pK1d29 YOOOO
@Thedemonicsxreech XD lmao
@DontReadMyProfilePicture.185okay
It's so pleasing and calming 🤤
My artstyle is non existent because it changes drastically with every piece of art that I do but I always draw myself as this scraggly stick figure with really dark circles around my eyes and my always-wonky glasses. What’s also funny is that when I show some of my other artsy friends this, they say that the stick figure is quite accurate. I’m not sure what to think about that haha
@@outlawsyl what- why
Oof
“Art style non existent” dang! I wish I was you, it’s actually pretty nerve wracking when someone can recognize your art style! Forget about posting anonymously the people that know your art will be able to cherry pick it even out of a packed Pinterest feed! (Not like I’m speaking from personal experience or anything..) 💀
That's because they "get" your mind and how you are and what that kind of sona means to you, I reckon
for October you should do the creepypastas/horror stories/true crime while drawing again! :D
AWW YISSSS
Yes 👍
This reminds me when i first made my fursona, i just wanted to pour myself out onto the page and i haven’t made another sona since, i started him out simple and now i’ve grown him along side me, truth is i feel i really did pour myself out on the page that day, and i hope that whenever i show somebody my fursona it’s like looking at a picture of me. (of course probably from some alternate reality or whatever, but you get the idea.) Thanks for giving me another spark of inspiration, i need it.
Rendering tutorial when?? 😂😂 ive been following you for years, and its insane to see how much your artsyle has changed and improved ❤️❤️
I was a tad shocked by how well what you said for the last one fit me lmao. Especially the part about the little monster being like the person’s soul. Since I quite literally made my selfsona around different aspects of myself via color meaning (white for innocents and red for passion and all that jazz)
Just a smol little vaguely humanoid creature made of shadow, fire, and ice lmao
I, as a creature, feel truly seen and appreciated. Thank you kindly.
I haven't ever found a selfsona that feels like me yet but I found this video really fun. I used to draw my self as a generic cat girl with glasses when I was thirteen then switched to a cute messy chibi girl when I was fifteen. Now I switch between chibi and a cartoonish-anime girl based off my real features. I'm trying to have a more anime style so I guess it makes sense that I'm going in that direction? Anyways thanks for the video Haley I always love your content!
I relate most to the last girl, but my selfsona is pretty different, I draw myself as a character thats similar to how I look but she represents my inner emotions so she's drawn in an exaggeratedly tired way. also her hairstyle never changes despite mine growing longer.
I'm the same lol
SAME XD
real
I've noticed that the chubby little goober sona style is also rather common in the Vtuber community. RubberRoss immediately comes to mind, along with his pals.
You actually just nailed the monster critter one! I draw myself as a red alien looking creature and I think you said some traits that fit me just fine
OMG THE LAST PART DEACRIBES ME FAR TOO WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY UPMOST GRATITUDE FOR I FELT REPRESENTED!! I am already met with humanity on a day-to-day basis, so i feel more inclined to seek novelty and pursue variety and inhumane concepts. I feel more represented with little chaotic goblins rather than my human skin and flesh. I love this video!!
It's the same for me, I love challenging myself with non-human ocs and my voidsona represents me more than how I look in real life lol. You might want to look into voidpunk, you'll probably like it.
@@vi4654 ooh I definitely relate to that! Voidpunk most definitely sounds interesting, I'll look into it!
wow i did not expect to have my type of selfsona to be included until that last one!
as a neurodivergent person i really struggle with self expression in a way that makes me happy with who i am and for the past few months ive been experimenting with that including my self sona
im an artist as well so drawing myself is an essential part of my self expression and the way i drew myself ..it never felt right to me no matter what
and recently i realized that i really symphasize with non human creatures especially robots and i felt so comfortable and enpowered by drawing myself as a little cyborg guy this made me so happy and confident about my identity
soo yeah im a creature self sona type of guy
also yeah the things that you said about people who draw themselves as creatures are pretty accurate to my own experience
I’m not over how you used a Sofonisba Anguissola painting in the intro, that made me so incredibly happy!
You caught me with the monster one. You got every single detail about attitude and social life right. Should I be impressed or scared?
I’m definitely the blob LOL it’s just so cute and fun to sketch out quickly
I rarely draw myself but when I do it's always in realism. I think it's because I see myself every day that makes me not want to draw myself. That and maybe self esteem issues lol. Your video made me realize I've never made an intentional persona. And yes I am in school for art. 😅
Something I found funny is I draw myself as my main fursona, and the last description was basically me. Also, amazing job with portraying these, I always am mesmerized by your art!
ok, but WHY IS THE LITTLE MONSTER CRITTER SO ADORABLE-🥲
Lavender!! I missed you so much, I haven’t watched you in a while!! You’re still so talented ❤
My Sona is partially made from how OTHER people perceived me at the time as opposed to myself. But only partially.
There used to be a challenge where you ask your audience to describe a character trait by trait from the impression you give off online and with your art, and the base things such as species, color palette and general style of my Sona were described from that. I definitely had most control over her so I integrated a loooot of my actual traits for her, but honestly she's kinda a lil more like an OC that is extremely close to how I identify in personality and feel like, has same interests and everything, but looks nothing like me and that I use as a stand-in for myself!
I do also occasionally do an actual self-portrait but stylized, but it's usually just something done out of curiosity or the desire to compare my Sona to how I actually look :D
It's so amazing how much Haley's realism has improved over the years! Hats off to her
HOW YOU ARE SO GOOD AT READING SELFSONAS !, I draw my sona as a monster and that description was so accurate
I have my own sona-verse made up of different iterations of myself, each one expressing a different emotion or part of my identity.
I have one for my inner child, another as my "voice of reason", another that represents my flaws, another for bad habits (those last two usually come as a pair), and finally, an idealized version of my current self.
Their designs change with time and depending on the situation. its cool when im bored, i can just zone out and watch them bicker with each other lol
I draw myself as a little bloby chibi character (Like the first example) with big eyes but no puplis. I used to do it as a "Soul less" motif but as I have taken better care of my depression and self image I keep it more as a "guarded" motif because the eyes are the window to the soul and I'm not always one to share that.
I can’t draw(I’m an audio engineer) but I’m a huge fan of your approach to artistry and the mindset of said artists. I’ve binged your channel quite a bit and although I can’t draw I very much appreciate your work
Watched this video last night, and got inspired to do a realistic self portrait. I rarely draw (I usually make 3d scenes in Blender), and have drawn people probably less than 10 times since I was a child, most of those just full body people drawn on index cards. But I pulled out my sketch book, and spent a while on a self portrait. Just a small one at first (fits in 1.5" square), drawing everything in the same order as in the time-lapse. While it was a bit after 1am at this point, I decided to try again but bigger do avoid some problems I face when drawing so small. I ended up spending about 2 hours on it, and while not perfect, I'm really proud of it and glad I watched this video so thank you!
As someone who’s trying to learn portraiture at the moment (I’m actually working on a self-portrait rn) I appreciate your comments about practicing using yourself- I hadn’t thought about it much, but I think I might be putting some of my features into my other studies. Definitely going to think about that going forward!
Totally with you on the selfsona peek into the future thing. I've never really drawn myself a lot, but whenever I did draw representations of myself I've always given myself short hair even though I've always had long hair. I've since cut my hair short and even though I was expecting it to be a huge difference, I just feel more like me. Like this is how I was always supposed to look and feel and my art was just me knowing that before I had the confidence to act on it.
this video made me realised i never drawn myself or have a selfsona 💀💀
X2
No.5 how DARE you describe me EXTREMELY ACCURATELY for no reason! /j
No way you described me perfectly for the monster/creature/goblin one
All jokes aside, I genuinely love your videos, keep up the great work ♥
I feel like I draw myself as who I want to be. A friend helped me design it and I feel like it reflects every aesthetic of myself.
1:44 HIromu Arakawas SONA IS A COW?? IVE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD
I mean it does make sense you know
Hiromu AraCOWa?
12:39 YEAAA THIS ONES MEEEE
even the green hoodie, beanie, headphones, such a soul read
I'm definitely closest to the last one, what she said about how you'd want to be perceived was really relatable. I've also been struggling with a lot of indecision in my designs, and this video really helped me slow down and think a bit more clearly about it, so thanks!