I've stated before my mistrust of Patreon. I don't hate the site, the service it can provide or the people who use it properly. No, my problem is two-fold:

Artist Misuse

Now, to be clear before we go any deeper into this, an artist wanting to make money from their work isn't exactly a surprise. You do something as a career, you get paid for it. Simple. Here's the problem though: When your career is run a certain way and then you suddenly shift your practices, people are going to be, at the minimum, confused, and outright upset otherwise.

I know, you want to make money and we should pay you for your work. It's a common thing regardless of where you go to be sure, BUT you don't have the right to act like you've been doing us a favor all these years by keeping your prices so low. This is the new Patreon excuse. Not because they need the money (they do like anyone else), not because they were afraid of scaring people away (they are, rightfully in some cases), NOPE, this was all for our benefit.

Every begging journal wasn't a cry for help or donations, no, that was to bring their kindness to light! Save it.

Here's the easiest way I can possibly put this so every artist understands:

No one who commissions you knows what you need to make to survive. If your prices are too low, you raise them. The value of your work is for you to decide: You know how long it takes, what materials/programs you use and, ultimately, what to charge.

Trying to guilt commissioners or look down on them like you're some kind of art champion who only served us lowly non-artists out of necessity is a joke that was never funny. Remember: We came to you because we like what you do for any variety of reasons, from overall skill to just something that caught our eye and anything in-between. Don't presume that we're all some kind of rage filled peons who don't have a right to voice our concerns. Especially when you decide to change everything you do for seemingly sudden reasons...even though they weren't sudden and you knew it needed to be done long before you started your Patreon campaign.

As I said from the beginning: If you're working on something for a client/commissioner/etc then, yeah, you should be paid for it. Obvious stuff here. Keep in mind, however, that not all Patreon campaigns are the same and there are quite a few artists who go from "This is what I charge for commission work" to "Pay monthly or never get a commission or see my work ever again!"

The idea behind this is laughable for multiple reasons but I'll just say the main one that seems to follow the Patreon Artist's normal plan:

Let's say you offer a raffle on a full color picture each month to your supporters, a common campaign offering. Someone joins up at the three dollar a month tier (as an example) and tosses their name in the running. Even if they miss out on winning 20 Months In A Row before making it, you only got, what, sixty bucks? They can join up, win a picture in probably far less time than my example and then just leave...having gotten a picture at half or more off common full color commission prices.

Sure, you are doing this for the long haul and to support yourself but, come on, it's not hard to abuse this system that you yourselves put in place. Your only option then becomes locking everything, everything, behind that Patreon pay wall. In my case, if you don't offer commissions outside of your campaign proper, I'm out completely and here's the thing: I'm not the only one.

There is a frequent complaint from artists that we are acting entitled, arrogant, blind to the realities of the world. I propose you turn that judgment your way as well. Not everyone can commit to a monthly payment plan for just about anything, let alone what amounts to a la carte pornography in most cases. The amount pledged is irrelevant. Most of us don't care if it's five bucks or five thousand: We can only pay what we can pay. If we can't or don't want to pay anything monthly, maybe, just maybe, that's why we try to commission you outside of Patreon hmm? To get in touch once we've saved up enough to basically contract out to you for something at a later time. To take away that option, whatever your reasoning, should not cause you surprise when it confuses or angers people: You changed your entire operating model, often with no prior notice. How, exactly, did you think we would react?

I'm going to get called entitled for this, I know that, but that brings us to the other part of this problem.

Artists, Their Fans and Potential Clients

Let's take a walk to the other side of this equation. Let's say your campaign is doing well, people are loving what you've got going on and the money is flowing in enough to keep you stable. You decide, "Hey, maybe I'll open up for some regular commissions too since I can keep up with my workload these days."

BIG MISTAKE

Now you just pissed off supporters, who think they own you because they pay you every month, and former prospective clients because now you're seen as "begging" or worse...your campaign failed and you're crawling back.

A Patreon Campaign is treated a lot like being a court jester: It's presence is expected by all around but never seriously considered important.

It's a fly by night operation, viewed as replaceable by whatever strikes your supporters/fans fancy just one new campaign away.

I'm making it sound more complex than it appears on the surface but, at the end of the day, there are two things you should know by now:

1. Your supporters are often blind to criticism directed your way and will verbally attack (or worse) those who attempt to voice their differing opinion. This is also called the "popufur effect" and seems to manifest regardless of how large your fan base really is.

2. People will always, Always, expect something for nothing. To go against that, rightfully or no, is begging for some friction.

Somewhere between these points lies a way to run a campaign that keeps everyone happy, but I doubt we'll ever find it. This is an easy conclusion to reach considering that I can guarantee you that any artist who reads this will at the very least think I'm an idiot, probably using the classic "You're no artist so your opinion means nothing" reasoning while dismissing everything I just typed. A fan will do the same, saying that I know nothing or that "if you can't afford insert monetary amount here, then you shouldn't bother the artist anyway" also disregarding what I state above. Commissioners are no better in some cases, expecting something for nothing (or very cheap) and so it continues, running in circles until we all drop dead from shouting nonsense at one another.

Conclusion

AKA, "What I expect from a Patreon Campaign that I would actually consider supporting"

• Supporters gain early access to all work. The Artist's gallery will then feature those pieces at a later date (three months, six, twelve,etc.)
• Commissions are offered to supporters first with slots made available to others outside the campaign afterwards. Alternatively, separate queues are made with a set number of slots for both (supporters and non-supporters). Either of these options allow both parties to get their work done but still provides those who pledge the chance to be "served" first in recognition of their pledge.
• In regards to raffles of full color pictures, tone done the frequency. That way it feels like an actual reward for being a long time supporter but doesn't allow for such easy "gaming" of the system. Failing that, offer different items in the raffle besides a certain commission type. Perhaps one free image pack if that is what you're working on on the side or some other rotating bonus.
• (This is a personal one): If you are an artist that does commissions streams, either for pledges or open for all, Don't make it mandatory that we be present for the stream in order to get one. I know, I know, it messes with your workflow, but some of us work rotating schedules and can't be present for them at that time. Realistically, we can probably work with you to set up a separate stream we know we can be at. Also we can chat about delaying our commission to a certain day when we know we can make it to the stream. If you absolutely have to have us there, a private stream between yourself and us (the commissioner I mean) at another time is also an option. Basically, You aren't the only one who has to work at odd times, respect that.

Honestly, that is really all I expect from an Artist's Patreon. It will take some doing for any number of reasons, but that's just how I see it. How you view it is, obviously, on you. Oh and one more thing for any artist out there:

If you run a raffle in your stream in order to get a commission, as opposed to first come first serve type stuff, I'll never commission you, full stop. Not all of us can devote time to a random game of chance and hope it wasn't wasted. To be more blunt: I can't waste what little free time I have outside of work hoping my number comes up randomly in a chat room. I have the money, I want to commission you. Don't make a game out of it.

That's all I've got for you people today. Thanks anyone who made it through this whole thing. If you'd like to discuss it, feel free to do it here or with a message. I'm alright with either.

Now then I'm...I'm gonna go play Toukiden: Kiwami again before bed. Later everyone.