samurshalem
patreon
BLOG: Patreon Changes
🕑 Added 2022-08-19 07:57:20 +0000 UTCUPDATE: made an error here--I'm relaunching this Patreon at the beginning of September, not October.
Hey everyone! It's been a minute; longer than I intended. I've kept billing turned off since I last posted, and I'll keep it turned off for the remainder of this month and next. Hopefully the art dump helps. But I'm now here with a pretty big update about this Patreon!
SO, here's the short version: In September, I'm going to un-launch this Patreon and re-launch it with billing set to Per Creation instead of Monthly. I'm pretty sure this will mean you'll all get unsubscribed and will need to resubscribe to my Patreon if you want to keep seeing content.
IF you're concerned about the new billing mode, let me try to allay your concerns: yes, you would be billed each time I post an artwork, but Patreon lets you set a maximum amount per month, so I wouldn't be able to post a dozen drawings in a day and bill you for fifty bucks. Also I wouldn't do that--this change is so that I can post less often, not more. I'd also only bill for "serious" art pieces like the ones I've been posting here--full color, sketches and PSD files, etc. I'll continue to post sketches and other odds and ends for free. Things will be pretty much the same.
If you want a slightly longer explanation, read on:
Firstly, running this Patreon has been incredibly cool, and I truly appreciate having you guys supporting the work and having this clubhouse where I can post longer thoughts and behind the scenes stuff.
Unfortunately, I also have a very demanding day job and a pretty chaotic life, and producing two finished pieces a month (which seemed quite doable when I started) ended up being a pretty major source of stress--I want you guys to get your money's worth, and I don't want to phone in the work or bill for months that I'm not posting anything.
So after the first few months of running the Patreon I started to find I was getting pretty burnt out on drawing, due to that pressure I was putting on myself.
So I think a billing switch makes a lot of sense for me. I'll probably still average 1-2 drawings per moth, like I did before. But if I have a month where I'm out of the house every weekend, or I just don't have a drawing in me, I can just not post one, and you guys won't get billed.
The biggest downside for me will be that I'll probably lose a lot of Patrons making this switch. But I'm good with that--I only have to do it once, and it'll make a big difference to my mental. AND, just between you and me, I think my art is better when I'm chasing the art dragon and not just doing a cranking out a new piece because it's almost the end of the month. So we all benefit here!
I'm going to leave everything as-is for the rest of this month--if you don't think you're going to stick around, feel free to download the existing artwork for personal archives. At the beginning of September I'm going to try and un-launch the Patreon and start it again.
Thanks for being here, and I hope to see you in the 2.0 version!
Comments
Amadose
Yeah, I hope it helps alleviate that artist-guilt! Keep us in the loop =D I'd love to know when it starts to work better for you!
Thank you dude! I'm excited for the stuff I'll be putting out on the other side
Thanks man! It means a lot. I'm interested to see how this new system works out. I'm just sort of drawn to the idea that I could walk into the woods for 2 years if I wanted and not have to worry about anyone feeling ripped off, hahaha
I really appreciate that! I wish Patreon could give us a bit more granular control over this type of thing. But hopefully this won't be too big of a change from before.
DokterBeefcake
I rather stay subscribed even if it means paying for months with no content. If it's possible to do both options please do. I value quality, and you're and only one other artist I've found work in this style at this quality. I appreciate the day job situation. I subbed to support you for making art that I enjoy, and while it's kind of you to pause while on hiatus I want to show support.
Amadose
Aw, bud I 1000% can relate and understand, and am so glad you're doing what you gotta do, to keep that stress down! I think everyone here supporting you, was here to give you a coffee and let you know how awesome we think you are, rather than buying up a product. But I know it doesn't feel like that when you are on the other side! Do whatever you need to do to feel happier with that support ;D I'd be interested to hear what the pressure feels like on the other side (per-creation method) later on too! Let us all know when you make the change so we can make the switcheroo! <3's
Stu Fox
I'm not going anywhere. Anything from you is worth the $$$.
