Demonskunk
patreon
Patreon Restructuring or Closing (Please Read, Very Important)
🕑 Added 2015-05-22 19:43:04 +0000 UTC So, I'm considering some pretty serious things for this Patreon... Like potentially closing it.I started this Patreon page to help support myself in doing the sort of art that I've always wanted to make, but never felt comfortable doing - Image Packs and Portfolios. The reason I wanted to use Patreon for this is because the couple times I've tried doing for-sale image packs or folios before, they've gone exceedingly poorly. Either most of my fanbase doesn't like my art enough to pay for non-personal art, or more likely, I appeal to such a wide range of fanbases and fetishes that only a couple people will ever be interested in actually buying the packs, or at least that's how it feels.It was also supposed to be something that my biggest, most dedicated fans could use to support me in doing this sort of art, while also keeping my art free for those who couldn't afford to pay for it.It's since become something else, something... corrupted.I feel like the primary reason to support me on Patreon is to get guaranteed commissions every month. I know that it's not all of you, and I'm not blaming anyone - I understand that sometimes it's difficult to get art from me - especially when I haven't been open recently for anything but YCH auctions and themed commissions, but that just feels... wrong to me.But more so than feeling wrong, it feels like the exact opposite of what Patreon was supposed to do for me. I started a Patreon to alleviate some of the stress of being a full-time artist, but now it's become more of a stressor than a relief. I've gone from doing 6 - 12 pictures a month of Project art to doing an additional 12+ reward pictures for various people every month. I know this sounds like I'm trying to be lazy, but one of the reasons I take payment upon completion for commissions is because it gives me the freedom to say "No" or to put off commissions that I'm not ready to do yet, because no money has changed hands, and if something happens that forces a delay or a cancellation on commissions, I don't need to worry about refunds, or people being upset because I have their money, and they don't have their art yet.I don't know how many of you know, but I've basically stopped doing non-stream commissions specifically because they were causing me so much stress that I would have anxiety attacks in the middle of a stream, and now Patreon rewards are sort of causing a similar feeling.So, Essentially, I have to eliminate a large amount of the reward pictures in order to pull this back down to somewhere I'm comfortable, which I know could mean losing a lot of supporters.Of course, you don't have to worry about getting shafted for last month's rewards, I'll finish them even if I close the Patreon. I have nothing to gain from dicking my fans and supporters over.I have a few ideas, and I'm still open to hearing more, so I implore all of you to respond with how you feel about any of these!IDEA 1: SUPPORT FOR VOTESInstead of handing out art rewards, the higher the level of support you're giving, the more weight your vote has in the monthly project poll. This can either be something like 1$ - 1 vote, or each tier has one more vote than the tier under it, either way, it gives more larger supporters a louder voice, while also giving the smaller supporters a voice.In addition, the top # of backers (likely dependent on the project) may appear in the monthly project as either main characters, side characters, or background art.IDEA 2: SUPPORTER DOODLE POOLAll supporters can give me a character reference (or multiple), a list of fetishes they like, and/or a list of things they wouldn't want to be drawn doing. I put these little data tidbits away somewhere I can easily check it.When I'm doing warmup doodles, or can't think of something to draw, I'll go into this folder and find a character or two to doodle up together. It's not a commission, it's not a raffle, it's entirely based on whim, but it may end up with you getting free art on occasion.IDEA 3: ART QUEUESupporters of a certain tier get put into a queue. The queue doesn't change order, and if you join as a supporter, you get put at the bottom of the queue. Every month, I take a few people from the top of the queue and draw them a wing-it sketch or doodle, depending on their backing level. This ensures that everyone will certainly get art, but I don't have to do all of it at once, meaning it's a sort of middle-of-the-road compromise.I could also do this as a faux raffle - where the list is set, and the people are selected at random from the list, but once they've had art drawn, they're removed from the list, so it's no longer a gamble to see if you get art - because you'll definitely get art - it may just be sooner or later, and once everyone has been removed from the list, the list is reset.IDEA 4: THE MOST UNPOPULAR ONEI stop doing reward art altogether, and just focus on projects. Keeping my current policy on them, high supporters may appear in projects as the focus or background characters, but my focus is entirely on those projects.I'm not expecting anyone to want this option, but it's something I'm considering.and IDEA 5: I CLOSE THE PATREONSelf explanatory. If I can't find a good solution, I'll just close the Patreon and go back to commissions only. It means I no longer have a monthly income, no matter how small, and that I'll almost certainly stop doing any high quality non-commission work, but it'll eliminate a stressor, so I'm willing to take the step if I need to.Please, if you're a supporter, take the time to respond to this. It's INCREDIBLY important to me, and I want to know how you all feel about it.Even if you don't have anything nice to say, say it, because you all are really the driving force for this - without you supporters this Patreon would have died a long time ago, and I wouldn't have drawn any of the nice, detailed art I've done for the Patreon at all.PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR OPINIONS!Thanks.
Comments
Thegreatblu
I want a cookie. : V
Fieron
heh, now i really feel bad about this, originally i just wanted to donate a little bit to see the random stuff you'd upload here instead of FA or anywhere else. Then i was like fuck it and upped the donations not only to get the arts but because you're one of my favorite artists in the fandom, you draw plenty of my most unique fetishes while barely any one out there does much of it at all... and i'm really not one to throw my money out everywhere. Whatever you decide Min I'll be okay with, i won't change my donation over patreon, even if it means no art because of it and that is if you decide to keep your patreon going. Just try to relax a little if you can cause it makes me sad to see you all stressed out like this, and even sadder knowing that i probably contributed to it as well X.X
Echoen
My support is for Option 3. To be honest with you, that is the only option I would remain a supporter through Patreon for you. I was also treating this as a 'guaranteed commission' and I thought it was being a good motivator for you to work on artwork. The primary problem you have been having for a long while now is stress. Two things stress you out the most - lack of money, and too much to do. You haven't been able to find a balance, and you need to consider if you even can find a balance with your current lifestyle and method of supporting yourself.
RadicalEdward_26
I like ideas 2 and 3! I have another idea that I've seen another artist do. At one of the lower tiers, you'd get priority when the artist is open for commissions. At a much higher tier, you would get a discount for commissions. Dunno if this would work for u but i thought I'd suggest it anyway. Good luck!
Personally I like the doodle idea. As for my personal reason for pledging, I don't always ( read: almost never ) have time to sit in a stream or chat to support a Min. At least with Patreon I can lend my support despite this. Just me though. Do what's best for you Min!
Casey
Yikes. Honestly I had signed up on the grounds of the 'guaranteed commission' thought, but if that's causing something akin to an anxiety attack then it's not something that's worth it. Likewise: the second idea seems like it might be neat.
