★ do i HATE this new sketchbook?! ★

[@magereina]

Am I the only one who gets super happy when i get a notification that Lilstarnerd put up a new video?? your self-portrait turned out gorgeous!!

[@lune8533]

Gotta love Al's art and energy!! ✨

[@magereina]

@@lune8533 not to mention talent and authenticity

[@lune8533]

@@magereina yes yes yes!!

[@Lilstarnerd]

oh my goodness you're making me blush!!! too sweet!!!!

[@cardboredrat2956]

i love the message about self portraits lmao. i had to do a self portrait for class a couple weeks ago and i was not looking forward to it lmoa but it turned out so well and it made me so happy and honestly i agree with you, the fact that the painting of me looked good made me feel a bit better about myself

[@sarahincolor]

I loved your discussion about self-portraits, and I have had a similar experience but couldn’t put words to it. Seeing myself as something to observe and then convey on the paper in an honest and beautiful way is a really good way of putting it. I love that. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[@ChantelleArts]

I’ve always wanted to try a self portrait but haven’t because I’m scared of seeing all the imperfections and potentially trying to change myself to someone I would prefer to be, rather than an accurate portrait. It’s lovely hearing your thoughts on self portraits, you’ve definitely inspired me to give it a go

[@connybreitfellner9819]

I also learned to love myself through drawing self portraits and seeing myself through an artists eyes (as I like to say it)! So glad about that

[@WeblightDreams]

Wand, fall check lol Love the self-portrait.

[@cheesecube420]

I’ve always had the same thing with self portraits. Art gives us a sense of control and allows us to emphasize the beautiful parts of ourselves and add personality.

[@igsamiru]

I loved hearing you talk about the process of drawing a self portrait , and how it makes us look to ourselfs differently, that's actually what I try to achieve by drawing other people, people with different bodies, different skins and quirks ♡ I love that, and was only by doing it and seeing other people see their self as art that I started to see myself as art too. It's a powerful and lovely journey, thanks for sharing it, I think you're beautiful! And the way you see self too ♡

[@laurar2812]

That was a great video. Your painting came out so beautifully, but your philosophy on painting people as well as yourself-thats even more beautiful. I feel the same way. I haven’t done a self portrait yet, suddenly I have a feeling that I will soon. Thank you for all of the beauty.

[@nicoler7700]

Now I'm dying to do a self portrait, you make it sound so joyful and rewarding! This is my favorite self portrait you have made so far, I love the mix of mediums. I personally have to have a hardcover sketchbook and A3 size, I hope you enjoy the new sketchbook.

[@Lilstarnerd]

you should definitely do a self portrait!!!! and i'm definitely acclimating to the hardcover hehe

[@WilmaArts]

The self portrait turned out so beautiful!! And I totally agree, seeing yourself from a different perspective while painting yourself makes you see yourself in a completely different light and it makes it so much easier to accept and love yourself. you’re treating it as a subject and not a reflection in the mirror. great video as always

[@Lilstarnerd]

exactly!!!!

[@TheJemmaGrl]

Your artistry blows me away.

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

This is by far one of the best videos on self love as an artist that I have been able to relate to, your words are powerful and generous. Most of the portraits I draw end up looking like me or part of me 🙂Your portrait is brilliant as you are ❤ stay safe from the storm 🤗❤

[@Lilstarnerd]

I love that a lot of your portraits reflect you in some way!! I love when I can see the artist in their work/subjects!! and thank you so much!!

[@greenekeyesdavis8269]

I also enjoy doing self portraits...since I was little, I've started my sketchbooks with a self portrait. It's interesting to see how my perception of myself, and which features I choose to highlight, change overtime. I think drawing a self portrait may be the closest we can get to seeing ourselves from outside ourselves...not in a mirror where we fixate on details or through a warped camera lens. Though I do them often, I've never considered the many benefits! Love this video and the portrait

[@Lilstarnerd]

that's a great point! i think it's definitely the purest way we'll ever be able to see ourselves!

[@lyssasletters3232]

Awesome portrait!! I like how you used the colored pencils and gouache over the watercolor!

[@CassieBelleDesigns]

I honestly get so excited when I get a notification for your videos!! I'd love a more in depth video about how you approach mixed media portraits, this one turned out amazing x

[@catssupp400]

Your self portraits always seem to look and feel like you and I can never seem to get that in my own art of myself. My self portraits don’t really look like me or feel like me and I’ve never really had a positive experience with them. However, since I’ve been watching you and seeing you do your self portraits, I’ve been inspired to do them every time I see you make one. They don’t look or feel like me but I see the improvement in my art since the last one and I feel like I’m getting closer. Maybe one day I’ll draw a self portrait that really resembles me.

[@susanstephenson5474]

Stop why did this make me realize why I never take pictures of myself bc I felt the same growing up oh my gosh

[@BomBomProduktion]

that's funny, I have the same washi tape as you used in this video xD really love how the self portrait turned out :) I myself draw myself in different universes or the know the artist challenge. I also think it is fun to draw oneself, that way I can imagine being in another universe xD

[@Morbid.Macabre]

lovely video - I love the way you talk about self portraits - its so poetic and LOVELY to hear. amazing work as always

[@TheMlopez0528]

Thank you for this video and talk. I also don't like to take selfies or really look at myself in general lol idk why either. I should try doing self portraits and learn to appreciate my face. I think you captured your beauty very well in your self portrait.

[@Lilstarnerd]

you should definitely try a self portrait!!!

[@shazlynh]

Hello , I'm Shazlyn from Singapore and I am actually a silent follower of yours since the beginning of this year. I can't help but to hear you mentioned that you lived in Virginia before. I used to visit my uncle over at Virginia, Williamsburg at a very young age and you remind me of the times when me , my sister and my cousin used to play outside of his house. We would throw leaves everywhere and my uncle used to have a neighbour who lives right opposite. There was this girl about our age that time and wanted to play with us. Let me tell you that she looks similar like you but I doubt its you! hahaha Btw, your portrait that you've created its stunning! I got carried away and watch your video instead of doing my illustrations! I will be waiting for more videos like this in the future hehe, good day ! 💗

[@kiwimiwi5452]

halloween... it's a whole different story with me and my mom. my mom goes truly all out, last year we transformed out yard into a graveyard (with selfcarved gravestones!) and our terracce was a crime scene, with yellow numbered signs and all that, we have stuff like a blinking doorbell, a spider that can walk, a bowl with a witch that tries to catch your hand when you take something.. the kids love it so much. it's not really something embraced in our area, but we are slowly over the years pulling the neighbours in on the fun. there even are some families not that close to us that actually drive here just to see what we did that year!

[@Lilstarnerd]

YOUR MOM ROX

[@maxikingsonice3933]

I'm using this exact sketchbook for the second time and I love it. Also own a smaller, spiralbind one but I love hardcover sketchbook the most. I love how your portrait turned out!

[@BethanValerious]

hey Al! I absolutely love the painting, you are so beautiful 😍 I ,personally, am horrified by the idea of making a self-portrait, but I make my own pictures to be a loose reference regularly. I look very average and that makes for a very solid base for the stuff I want to try. But I do enjoy painting/drawing my nudes for the sake of being pretty 😂 About the sketchbook, I really wanted to try the soft cover strathmore mixed media, but the shop only had the same big, hardcover ones in stock and I got intimidated, so I just settled for a different one. Hope it works out for you 😊 Love the video as always, the highlight of my weekends

[@Kristinlichan]

I absolutely agree with what you said about self portraits! I do a fair bunch of them myself and I really enjoy it. Whenever other people see my art I’m always a bit nervous because I feel like I seem a bit narcissistic with that many artworks of myself heh. I feel like my main reason to do that many self portraits is that I don’t want to waste a lot of time looking through Pinterest for portrait references I like (because I never seem to find any I want to draw at that moment). It’s just safer to find a selfie I’ve taken or something + I can’t offend anyone. It lies more freedom in using myself as a reference imo because then I don’t have to feel like I need to do it perfectly. I can do whatever I want with my face and I feel more comfortable playing around with it more. And then there’s also what you talked about in the video! When I’m drawing or painting I’m kind of looking through a lens that simplifies the shapes and lines into what I may think is beautiful from an artistic perspective. It’s almost as like looking at my face without having seen it before and I fall in love with features of my face I may have not noticed otherwise. That’s also why I love drawing portraits of others!

[@Lilstarnerd]

you said it perfectly!!!! and you make a great point about it being easier than searching for a reference!!

[@RachelleByersArt]

Your self portrait turned out soo good

[@ibettegabriela]

Wow! I’ll definitely need to start doing self portraits now. Thank you for the inspiration ✨

[@q-tiptingz7197]

I dont usually comment on your vids but this is stunning! As all your art is. Its adorable and you captured yourself really well imo. I always find myself coming back to your channel and just binging a bunch of vids. So tysm for being a comfort channel for me, especially when I need inspo!!!

[@Lilstarnerd]

you are so sweet, that makes me so happy!! thank you so much!!

[@bronwynburke270]

Your facial expressions when looking at the new sketchbook sent me 😂😂 love the self portrait 👏🏽

[@MadDannyWest]

Loving the consistent uploads! hope you are doing well Al

[@sierrarose9315]

Thank you for always motivating me ♥️ i love and appreciate all of your videos. 😊

[@nicolelopes1621]

I’ve only done one self portrait until now but everything you said is SO true, I might not love the way I look but my features are really fun to draw. This video really inspired me to try it more! Thank you 💗💕

[@Lilstarnerd]

[@troyingram716]

The sun wants to shine but the sky is jealous

[@AtelierArts]

I lived the art soooo much, just amazing! I also love your glasses cause they are just really cool! Happy beginning to fall! 🧡🍂🍁

[@Lilstarnerd]

HAPPY FALL!!

[@kiwimiwi5452]

I just saw on the news what the hurricane did to Florida, I went to look up your channel right away! so glad you are okay, Al

[@CamrynsCameras]

i did a self portrait with a pencil only in like 2019 and i was pretty happy with it… i did trace most of it though…… now i want to, i can sometimes doodle just my face, but i struggle to translate what im thinking or seeing onto paper so i always hate what i’m doing and give up

[@Lilstarnerd]

i totally get what you mean!!! it takes a LOT of practice to be able to just draw from imagination/replicate what you see in your mind. i struggle with that ALL the time!!

[@lulabelle33]

Love your self portrait

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Amazing video as always

[@Lilstarnerd]

[@shy67436]

It's so beautiful 😩😩

[@fuzzydragons]

great job capturing your likeness 🙂 After using a3 size sketchbooks, it was really hard to go back to using a smaller one

[@Lilstarnerd]

thank you!!! and yes ive had a similar experience!! i am a little worried that every time i get a slightly bigger sketchbook, i wont ever be able to go smaller hahahha

[@shesims2682]

now I'm gonna do a self portrait!

[@alik2897]

wow. you are beautiful, the painting is beautiful, I am so happy when you have new video! hope you will be ok with the hurricane ❤️

[@Maddie.d326]

Stunning portrait! From what you said about them, I really want to do a portrait now! Thank you for always being so inspiring and for talking about intriguing topics on your channel! 💕💕🥰🥰

[@Lilstarnerd]

i hope you do try a self portrait!!

[@MakerFishmeal]

This is so beautiful, and I'm definitely inspired to try the process on myself. Thank you!

[@Lilstarnerd]

yay!! i hope it goes well!!

[@Samthe1stbob]

is this a split between camp half blood o and Harry potter

[@patrickubales3526]

Your are actually really good!

[@ThatPaintingLass]

Your self portrait is absolutely beautiful. It definitely looks and feels like you, magical and sassy and bouncy. However, way beyond the actual art is the way you feel about self-portraits, like holy hell, talk about self love and positivity and the true practice of loving your image and self as a whole. I’ve never heard anybody talk about it like that before, also I didn’t even know that anybody could feel like that about painting themselves. I’ve never loved what I look like, let’s be real I’ve never liked either. I’ve never had a problem with mirrors but I do have a distaste for photos of me, especially the ones when I am on the heavier side of things… I’ve only ever done 2 self-portraits, both for a class project in art class one at 15 and another at 17. I know for a fact that I never even finished the second one, I turned in an incomplete basic sketch because that was as far as I could go with it. The biggest thing that I can remember about them is that in both of the self-portraits I placed myself firmly in the very center of the canvas but I only occupied about 10% of the canvas. I made myself as small as I possibly could and yet I still felt too big, like I shouldn’t have been on that canvas. I’ve never really been able to draw or paint people well and I always used that as my excuse as to why I was so small because I wouldn’t be capable of painting the details. Thinking on it now, I really feel like it was more of a how I see myself, less than, unworthy, not actually the subject of my own self portrait.

[@Lilstarnerd]

you are too sweet!!! i totally get what you mean about the high school projects, i used a photo of myself that was super small and you could hardly see me. at the time i didnt think anything of it, but looking back, it's crazy to see how things like that reflect how i must have felt about myself. i hope you have the chance to make it up to yourself, you absolutely deserve to take up the whole canvas!!

[@ThatPaintingLass]

@@Lilstarnerd I’ve been thinking about it since watching your video last night and did a Skillshare class on Portraits this morning. I definitely have a long road of really bad face sketches ahead of me but I’m excited to take some more classes and practice more. I’ve saved this video so when I need to remember why I’m doing all of this I can be reminded of the beautiful way you spoke about yourself and I can try to love pieces of me too. Thank you do your video and replying. I hope I can make it up to myself too.

[@Lilstarnerd]

That’s amazing, i’m so excited for you!!!!! ❤️❤️

[@oogalaboo]

My cat watched this with me and we both enjoyed it

[@Lilstarnerd]

Thankfully i'm all good here!! hope you're doing okay now!!

[@crystalromaine7281]

Wow just wow

[@lionlife7724]

I tried it at the veeeery begining of my art journy and I kinda traumitaised myself😅😂 I should do one again

[@Lilstarnerd]

you should definitely try again!!!

[@sarikakashyap9215]

I also want to start my channel but am scared about that, i don't know how to started it 😳

[@charleneroodt1815]

Hello, from a getting hotter, South Africa. Well, I am very glad we just finished with our shift of Load shedding and I could watch your video. So sad about the hurricane heading your way. Funny that your video is the second one I've been watching in so many weeks. Maybe it is Gaia telling me to do something about it. Currently I am busy with Inktober. My first time. But I will most definitely be trying to do a self-portrait in the near future. I have the same problem as you do about photos. Maybe this will help me get over that fear and self doubt. Keep up what you are doing. I seriously is inspiring to newbies like me.

[@Lilstarnerd]

i hope inktober and your future self portrait go well!!

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

Wonderful

[@leylatehrani]

For women, life, freedom #MahsaAmini Please be our voice

[@Bozcat1738]

Totally feel the same way about self portraits. Glad to know one of my fav artists has gone through some of the same things🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@Lilstarnerd]

[@sarikakashyap9215]

Hi ! I love you sketching ❣️❣️😊 ☺️🤗

[@cherylannillustrator]

❤❤❤

[@gamerdani3253]

Hi 🌈

[@nolailaaaa]

i feel like your videos are much better, I think ur commentary developed lol , idk u seem calmer in recent videos , I like it :) , and I think you should stop thinking that you're "dramatic" or any thing like that , most people won't think you're dramatic or annoying or any of that , even if they do by bringing it up you make it worse , please people don't show hatred towards yourselves on the internet , its not good for you , its like you put it in question or something + I'm only trying to help its just an advice I don't mean to hate on them , I'm just trying to show them something about what they put on the internet in my perspective since I was here for some time (since 12k subs)

[@Lilstarnerd]

Thank you, i’m so glad you’ve noticed an increase in quality, that makes me so happy!! As to calling myself dramatic, i totally know what you mean, but i wouldn’t call that “hating” on myself, i was just being goofy as a bit for the video! Also i don’t think it’s always a bad thing for people to express their emotions about themselves, even if it’s negative!

[@huskytail]

Some people have the chance to learn from their parents, through University or other places, how to talk in front of or to people. There is a lot of psychological reasons, and given what you discussed in this video, it's the perfect opportunity to consider talking slower. Talking that fast looses the attention of people and comes through as rushed and self-conscious. Your painting is beautiful and you seem like a sweet girl and I hope you will consider slowing down and loving your speech the way you warmed towards your looks 👍.