I've been thinking lately
Added 2024-10-10 21:01:21 +0000 UTCPatreon Reflections and Challenges
Hey everyone, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about my Patreon, and honestly, it’s not where I want it to be. I take responsibility for that, but I’m determined to make improvements and get more visibility for my projects and art. That said, I don’t want to rely solely on drawing explicit comics or Rule 34 content just to get attention. I get it—sex sells, and I get requests for adult content all the time. While I enjoy creating it occasionally, it’s not something I feel passionate about doing all the time.
A lot of the commissions I receive involve me drawing myself in NSFW scenarios, and frankly, it’s starting to wear on me. I’ve lost some motivation because it feels like I’m always working on the same kind of thing. My posting has slowed down, and it’s frustrating because there are so many other creative projects I’d love to focus on—things like Red Equinox, which I would have finished months ago if I didn’t feel the constant pressure to take on more commissions just to maintain my Patreon.
It’s hard not to feel envious of friends and peers who seem to be doing so much better. It leaves me wondering: What am I doing wrong? I know I haven’t been as active as I could be, and I haven’t promoted my Patreon as well as I should. So maybe I already know what the problem is, but it still feels frustrating.
What I truly want is to grow my Patreon to a point where I can focus on my passion projects with occasional support from Patreon polls—something that would help me rely less on commissions just to make ends meet.
In the back of my mind, I wonder if I should do what some artists do: turn my FA (Fur Affinity) into a billboard for my Patreon, with thumbnails and previews. I’m not sure if that’s the solution, but I’m looking for ways to attract more eyes and bring in new supporters.
My Goals:
One of my dreams is to have my own website. I’ve seen peers with their own sites, and I’d love to have a space where I can post Red Equinox, maybe even Red Chair Beastro, and offer an easy way for people to commission me through a clean, professional UI. The site could also have an NSFW section for those interested, but honestly, I’d like to focus more on SFW and suggestive art rather than full-on explicit content.
I feel like being labeled an “NSFW artist” sometimes turns people away—people who might otherwise be interested in following me on Twitter or FA. It sucks to feel like I’m pigeonholed. I want to showcase other aspects of my art—cool, sexy, and suggestive stuff—without it always being about exposed nipples, cocks, and porn.
TL;DR:
I want to improve my Patreon.
I’m envious of others in the community who’ve found more success.
I want to rely less on commissions so I can focus on passion projects.
I’m hoping to pay someone to create my own website—a hub for my comics, commissions, and art in general.
Sorry for the long post, but I just needed to get all of this off my chest. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I appreciate your continued support. I’m still figuring things out, but I’m hopeful for the future.
I will likely post this on Twitter/ bluesky so people can see this.
Comments
I’m sorry you feel like you are in a slump :(. Your work is a big inspiration to me and I hope that you feel comfortable focusing on the work you are passionate about!
Banul
2024-10-20 19:52:15 +0000 UTCI'd love to see more of your passion projects; Red Equinox is my fav. ^^ A lot of furry artists got pushed over to NSFW art because it sells, but at the cost of homogenizing their content..and that's not why I follow artists. A lot of people seem to stagnate and stop growing as an artist after finding a profitable nitch (or, at least they don't post experiments or off-subject work publicly.. -.- ). I love your art in general; keep going where you want to with it.
Cygnus
2024-10-12 19:51:40 +0000 UTCI understand the feeling of comparing others to myself, but you need understand you have own sense of talent, all based on your consistency of improving and it shows, don't ever let yourself compare your talent to others, besides that you're the most kind artist I've ever known since I saw your work in DA, half of these artists don't have some sense of kindness or support system to back up to, never let yourself feel that you're inferior you're not alone and I'll always support you no matter what, if you wanna do your personal projects, do it just stay strong and lean on your talent, even I'm not much of a fan of fat furs, I always support your amazing drawings, and I hope I get to meet you and maybe teach me on how to draw with confidence, be at peace, captain.
DJChris
2024-10-11 11:32:47 +0000 UTCSending good feels Mama B.
Ghost909
2024-10-11 10:48:40 +0000 UTCOh man...I'm sorry to hear so much has been weighing on your mind Battu, I hope things will get better soon on your end, and your Patreon gets more traction, you deserve so many more paid members. And sure I love the NSFW work stuff as much as the next patron here, but your art in itself is gorgeous to look at, no matter if its clean for adult work its all so appealing to look at. For what its worth I'm glad to have joined on here as a paying member, I love the work you do and am incredibly happy to support it. *hugs*
Ryuakira
2024-10-11 03:51:09 +0000 UTCRed Chair Red Chair Red Chair
K
2024-10-11 02:48:15 +0000 UTCBattu, I understand how you feel completely. It's WAY TOO EASY to draw yourself into a corner where you get typecast into a role of what you're expected to create. I've struggled with what you felt a few times too. Now, I love what I draw a lot, I'm attracted to all of it. But quite frankly I want my art to be more than just simple pinup style work, I want to explore other aspects of weight gain and feederism. In order to get better, for me or for you, we need to take baby steps or steps that work for us. I'm sure you'll find your way, I believe you can do it! I can tell you that drawing special WG comics for you is one of my ways of feeling better, about my art, because it's the kind of thing I want to draw. I want to do this for our other friends too who at least like WG a bit and wouldn't mind plumping up with me, and I want to explore more interesting themes with weight gain, like what motivates someone to do it and what being fat symbolizes for someone besides just being "sexy" which sure it's sexy as hell... but like you, I want to explore other ways of things being sexy. <3
Arkveveen
2024-10-11 02:46:12 +0000 UTCwe love you Cap and i will always do my best to give u the support i can i wish you all the luck i can
Corbynprower
2024-10-11 00:51:43 +0000 UTCCaptain, I can sympathize with how you're feeling. Sometimes, we feel like we lost our way and many of our efforts seem to take us nowhere or come up short of it. I've always been a fan of your art style and loved many of your comics and other projects that you've made. As such, I would support you in your decisions and steps required to get there. I don't necessarily think that being a NSFW artist is what would turn people away, but I understand it can be a questionable label that people often tend to pin on others. Even as you do SFW commissions and projects, you are magnificent in the work that you've shown so far. Honestly, you can always ask us to limit the NSFW commissions and even brainstorm something that might be fun for you to try. I chose to become part of your community to show my support in all aspects of work that you do. I know many of us feel the same way. We would be so proud to see your personal projects and work develop and go beyond from their completion. It is a tough road ahead, but you don't have to face it alone. I'm hoping that my words can be of some relief and encouragement.
Vrei_Fanged
2024-10-11 00:29:41 +0000 UTCWouldn't mind getting another couple of commissions, and no, you wouldn't have to do NSFW pieces with me :-)
Tylywodraethuara
2024-10-10 22:58:52 +0000 UTCIn my personal opinion, I think it would be best to restructure your patreon into a red equinox support patreon and remove the commissioned art component of it entirely, Then after the first volume, you begin to release the pages early to the patreon in a scheduled format that works best for you. I've seen this work for many other artists, and I feel it will help to both show your supporters that your motivated enough on the project to keep a schedule, and to improve your mental health to stop relying on any other inhibiting factors and focus hard on the thing you care about most. I've seen enough of your streams to know that red equinox is gonna be really good when it does drop, so I have complete faith it can stand on its own.
Greenpanda_Mitch
2024-10-10 22:57:23 +0000 UTChey, warvon here. sorry in advance, i tend to get wordy, but i hope my words will help. i know you didnt phrase this as a "what do i do" or a call to action, but i suppose i cant help but wish i can take away the pain my friends feel in their hearts when motivation is low and the way forward is unsure. I'll do whatever i can to put into the project and you. just say the word.
Purple Rose
2024-10-10 21:57:49 +0000 UTCOh goodness, that is certainly a lot to handle, but I think you can do it! Plugging your Patreon more is a good idea, as much of a chore as it can feel like. In anycase here's hoping for good things in your future, excited to see you doing more things for you, and looking forward to more Red Equinox
Caudle
2024-10-10 21:46:38 +0000 UTCAnd if I'm being frank, I don't see much reason for you to be envious of others. First off, you shouldn't compare yourself to others in the first place. That only leads to disaster. Second, you're an incredibly talented artist in the community, and I feel you're selling yourself short a little bit. You've been my favorite artist in the community for years now, and that still holds truth to this day. Heck, I still look back on when I got a commission from you for the first time fondly, and I'd love to be able to do it again with you someday. Whatever it is you plan on doing in the future, I will always - ALWAYS - support you, Captain. And much like you, I'm hopeful for the future, and I look forward to seeing what you do next.
Blue Koichi
2024-10-10 21:34:47 +0000 UTCI understand where you're coming from, and I'm sorry you found yourself in this rough position lately. If you want some suggestions on what you can do for the plans you have, then I'd be happy to give one or two. For one, you can give people more benefits to encourage them to pay for membership on your Patreon. As much as it irks me to say, your Patreon tiers are... subpar, at best. People have agreed that there's no real advantage for choosing Platinum over Gold, especially with the price you're asking for it. So the best course of action is to throw some exclusive benefits in the Platinum tier to give supporters more reason to make the upgrade. Discounts on commissions, private voice calls, much earlier access to comic pages and art than in other tiers - stuff like that. It could go a long way.
Blue Koichi
2024-10-10 21:34:34 +0000 UTCIm sorry to hear your in this rough patch . Like soul said let the public know . You have every right to choose how your art makes you happy in the process. If you can't love it then you can lose the spark and inspiration that got you where you are already My idea . Maybe (when you do open) have regular sfw comms available and limit the nsfw availability to either a small few that time or have special nsfw opening separately when your in the mood or something. Another idea for the patreon stuff is maybe let it be like some people's and only release the content a month or 2 later for the public than for patreons ? Just 2 quick ideas anyway . Love you and hope we can all help to get you where you really want to be
Tamaska Kitsu
2024-10-10 21:21:02 +0000 UTCI fully get you, I'm currently in a similar state trying to develop an audience on a similar 'subscription platform' after I've published my TTRPG, so that I have a more reliable income to fund passion projects. I get yah. And I am very excited to see you work on more personal work, not that I dont enjoy the more "risque" stuff you've done, but I've been an old, long time fan. I remember when you were in a similar rut and re-discovered yourself, and I am confident that you'll find your way.
Will Stewart
2024-10-10 21:18:30 +0000 UTCHave you consider hiring a copycat artist for the nudes stuff.
Leonardo
2024-10-10 21:13:36 +0000 UTCNo matter what, I will always follow you my lady, from the beginning it was not the NSFW that attracted me to you, it was the strength of your art, and it is in that strength that I continue to believe, it inspires me and shows me the way, I know that the decisions you will make from now on will be excellent, I am proud to follow you and be your friend! <3
Drocer
2024-10-10 21:13:17 +0000 UTCUltimately, in the end, its what you decide that should hold the best of value, everything else comes after that.
Doctor Soul
2024-10-10 21:12:57 +0000 UTCI would at least say it's good to let the general public know about your current situation and have them on board with what your comic would entail for starters. Usually you've been keeping alot of your intentions behind Patreon, which there's nothing wrong with doing, but it should be fair to let others know you want to take your work into a new direction.
Doctor Soul
2024-10-10 21:11:42 +0000 UTC
