How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist?

Galyo · 10-10-2016

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, since I'm a TF artist myself. I've been pretty quiet ever since my drawing-tablet broke down, but I like to think I have build an okay gallery (my stuff can be viewed over at FurAffinity; username Guitarwolf666. Very NSFW). I'm also writing stories, but I don't think that's my biggest strength.

Like a lot of people, I'm very much short on money and even though I've done commissions in the past it wasn't exactly sustainable. So my question is, do you think it's worth it for someone like me to start a Patreon where I can, say, draw one page of a TF comic every week or so? Would anyone in the TF community be interested in backing such a thing? I'm curious.

Feel free to discuss this in general terms as well; I hate to put all the focus on me.

Jimbo · 10-11-2016

I'm getting back into drawing for money myself soon. I had a little drama a few months back since my mother died. I got a backlog of things to upload.

Anahki · 10-11-2016

It would be better or worse depending on your drawing skills and the themes chosen to be developed. For the money I see put on patreons, I can tell that you cannot get a life for it, but it would be enough to cover the costs of "your time". In other, words, it is good if you love to draw and paint, and get some money for it, but never ever think of it about a way to make profit, or you will become seriously disappointed :P.

Galyo · 10-12-2016

Hmm. Sounds like it won't be that rewarding then. I mean, I love drawing, but I've lost a lot of the passion I had for it. The only thing that would get me into it again is if I could make a nice little income out of it.

Drawing commissions is way too competitive for me, and since TF is largely a branch of the furry community there are dozens upon dozens of artists that are more skilled at what they do.

Anahki · 10-12-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galyo

Hmm. Sounds like it won't be that rewarding then. I mean, I love drawing, but I've lost a lot of the passion I had for it. The only thing that would get me into it again is if I could make a nice little income out of it.

Drawing commissions is way too competitive for me, and since TF is largely a branch of the furry community there are dozens upon dozens of artists that are more skilled at what they do.

Well, in my opinion it is very questionable if someone is good or bad in terms of artistic matters. What is really important is to develop your drawing skills to the maximum, and then apply your own style to it.
In a world with a large competition community like this, what marks the difference is, in the end, the talent, but it should be others, not you, the ones to judge it... simply being successful (or not) with the projects. I cannot help you with that, but as you said, if you start having more and more commisions, it is because you give something better/different from the others. Luck just happens once or twice, for the real success you need the talent

. Just try. Even a "small" try could be ok, right?

Galyo · 10-13-2016

As long as it doesn't get me anywhere, I'm not going to be drawing anymore. I'm simply too old and experienced to waste my time doing something that doesn't add to anything. Having a hobby is good, but it doesn't always pay the bills, and if it comes to that I'd much rather have a roof over my head.

LeenaAngelWing · 10-13-2016

The key here is managed expectations. Access, for example, has done quite good as a tf artist with a patreon. He makes about a thousand dollars a month which isn't enough to live off of but is more than enough to keep him drawing and certainly helps.

About once a month he releases a peice of artwork to the public and just about everything else he draws are requests from his patrons. You have to donate to be able to see them. The more you donate the more requests you make. Better quality requests too, from pencil to ink to full color.

That's the sort of stuff you have to do as a patreon artist. You have to give people a reason to support you, prove you are quality, let people interact with you, and understand you'll only get so much money.

https://www.patreon.com/accessworld

Shadow_Dragon · 10-20-2016

Not an artist, but just to give you a general idea of what TF can get for you

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=121401

25k/mo is more than probably 80% of America and for about 1/4 of the work req. Which makes you sort of re-think your career :P

https://www.patreon.com/loboleo

Now Loboleo labels his goals as "creations" so I'm not sure if it more of a singular goal to reach rather than a monthly ordeal on that. But so far he's getting 2k/creation. Which is still a respectable amount for a patreon.

While some here mention good drawing skills, you would really only see the benefit if people can see the value of following your work or continuously contributing to your work. Best case scenario you sort of make a name for yourself on public sites such as FA, Sofurry, Furry Netwro, etc., then make a patreon. It would take more take but deem the most results.

What I have seen is the form of paysets working well for artists that do comics. I'll point out the likes of Locofuria, Jitensha, and Miranda Leigh. It is somewhat of a risk since if you're not somewhat well-known like previously stated, you might not get the traction you want. But then again, this goes back to you having some decent art skills or presentation/creativity, you'll need to post some samples that will really garnish interest to be beneficial.

Moore · 10-20-2016

No reason to stick to only one fetish. This artist isn't the best in my opinion but they do pretty well because they play the field: https://www.patreon.com/alorok

Jimbo · 10-22-2016

I make £1000 a month with my main job plus whatever I make drawing I only need about £600 a month to live plus I have about 20,000 in savings who says you can make a living on it. it would be a few years before I need to worry about rent...

Galyo · 10-22-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moore

No reason to stick to only one fetish. This artist isn't the best in my opinion but they do pretty well because they play the field: https://www.patreon.com/alorok

This is also the reason why I asked the question, because I wanted to see if the TF community by itself would be big enough to make a successful Patreon for.

Jimbo · 10-22-2016

Depends on who you cater for and what you can offer that others cannot. Also doing things and ideas that have not been done to death before. Its all about keeping things fresh. I mean look at hollywoods reboots trying to play it safe with movies.

10-10-2016	#1
Galyo Process Fan Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 67	How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? I've been thinking about this a lot lately, since I'm a TF artist myself. I've been pretty quiet ever since my drawing-tablet broke down, but I like to think I have build an okay gallery (my stuff can be viewed over at FurAffinity; username Guitarwolf666. Very NSFW). I'm also writing stories, but I don't think that's my biggest strength. Like a lot of people, I'm very much short on money and even though I've done commissions in the past it wasn't exactly sustainable. So my question is, do you think it's worth it for someone like me to start a Patreon where I can, say, draw one page of a TF comic every week or so? Would anyone in the TF community be interested in backing such a thing? I'm curious. Feel free to discuss this in general terms as well; I hate to put all the focus on me.

10-11-2016	#2
Jimbo Selfish lurker TF artist Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 494	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? I'm getting back into drawing for money myself soon. I had a little drama a few months back since my mother died. I got a backlog of things to upload.

10-11-2016	#3
Anahki AAWIL fanatic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Talbot Manor Posts: 1,791	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? It would be better or worse depending on your drawing skills and the themes chosen to be developed. For the money I see put on patreons, I can tell that you cannot get a life for it, but it would be enough to cover the costs of "your time". In other, words, it is good if you love to draw and paint, and get some money for it, but never ever think of it about a way to make profit, or you will become seriously disappointed :P.

10-12-2016	#4
Galyo Process Fan Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 67	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? Hmm. Sounds like it won't be that rewarding then. I mean, I love drawing, but I've lost a lot of the passion I had for it. The only thing that would get me into it again is if I could make a nice little income out of it. Drawing commissions is way too competitive for me, and since TF is largely a branch of the furry community there are dozens upon dozens of artists that are more skilled at what they do.

10-13-2016	#6
Galyo Process Fan Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 67	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? As long as it doesn't get me anywhere, I'm not going to be drawing anymore. I'm simply too old and experienced to waste my time doing something that doesn't add to anything. Having a hobby is good, but it doesn't always pay the bills, and if it comes to that I'd much rather have a roof over my head.

10-13-2016	#7
LeenaAngelWing Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 174	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? The key here is managed expectations. Access, for example, has done quite good as a tf artist with a patreon. He makes about a thousand dollars a month which isn't enough to live off of but is more than enough to keep him drawing and certainly helps. About once a month he releases a peice of artwork to the public and just about everything else he draws are requests from his patrons. You have to donate to be able to see them. The more you donate the more requests you make. Better quality requests too, from pencil to ink to full color. That's the sort of stuff you have to do as a patreon artist. You have to give people a reason to support you, prove you are quality, let people interact with you, and understand you'll only get so much money. https://www.patreon.com/accessworld

10-20-2016	#8
Shadow_Dragon Evil Dragon oooh... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In Hell, go figure... Posts: 809	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? Not an artist, but just to give you a general idea of what TF can get for you https://www.patreon.com/user?u=121401 25k/mo is more than probably 80% of America and for about 1/4 of the work req. Which makes you sort of re-think your career :P https://www.patreon.com/loboleo Now Loboleo labels his goals as "creations" so I'm not sure if it more of a singular goal to reach rather than a monthly ordeal on that. But so far he's getting 2k/creation. Which is still a respectable amount for a patreon. While some here mention good drawing skills, you would really only see the benefit if people can see the value of following your work or continuously contributing to your work. Best case scenario you sort of make a name for yourself on public sites such as FA, Sofurry, Furry Netwro, etc., then make a patreon. It would take more take but deem the most results. What I have seen is the form of paysets working well for artists that do comics. I'll point out the likes of Locofuria, Jitensha, and Miranda Leigh. It is somewhat of a risk since if you're not somewhat well-known like previously stated, you might not get the traction you want. But then again, this goes back to you having some decent art skills or presentation/creativity, you'll need to post some samples that will really garnish interest to be beneficial. __________________ Come listen in on the Transformation Community on the "Changing Times" Transformation Podcast! Hosted by yours truly. Changing Times Podcast

10-20-2016	#9
Moore Process Fan Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 32	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? No reason to stick to only one fetish. This artist isn't the best in my opinion but they do pretty well because they play the field: https://www.patreon.com/alorok

10-22-2016	#10
Jimbo Selfish lurker TF artist Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 494	Re: How profitable would a Patreon be for a TF artist? I make £1000 a month with my main job plus whatever I make drawing I only need about £600 a month to live plus I have about 20,000 in savings who says you can make a living on it. it would be a few years before I need to worry about rent...