akairiot
patreon
Seeking Opinions on Posting Changes
🕑 Added 2025-11-18 20:00:34 +0000 UTCUPDATE: I'm going to aim for every two weeks from now on, and I'll change the pledge information to reflect that. Thank you so incredibly much for being understanding, and I'll be doing everything I possibly can to get myself better (or at the very least, to not keep getting worse).
To provide context, even though I assume most of you have seen me mention this at least once already: I have a compressed nerve in my neck that causes muscle spasms and other issues and gets worse when I draw -- it's been an ongoing problem for a couple years now, and despite rounds of physical therapy, dozens of injections at the pain clinic, and trying many different meds (anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, pain relievers that target nerve pain specifically) there's only one thing that's truly helped so far: rest.
Since I revamped my Patreon a few years ago, I've posted a new NSFW piece every week without fail. Even when I was sick or had surgeries, even when my computer was in for repairs, even when I had deaths in the family. I want you all to understand that I take my responsibilities to you seriously, because I truly, truly appreciate the support. This is my dream job -- in fact, it's beyond a dream job for me, because as a kid I didn't even think choosing art as a career was a real option. I love drawing. I love animating. I love sharing my ideas, my characters, my work, with all of you. I want to produce work that makes me happy and also has some value that people find worth supporting.
All that said, I'm realizing more and more that the one-new-piece-a-week pace might not be sustainable if I ever want my condition to improve. In the past, I would spend a couple weeks working extra long hours to produce pieces ahead of time in order to take a break -- I'm no longer capable of doing that. Even finishing the usual single new piece of artwork is often a struggle -- I have to take a break every 20 minutes and I can't work into the dead of night now, and even then, by the end of a work week I'm a bundle of tension (muscle spasms, numbness, headaches and dizziness, fuzzy vision). I don't want this to keep getting worse, and I don't know when or if medical intervention is ever going to fix me. I did a CT scan this morning and I've got more tests to do to see if surgery might be helpful, but nothing's guaranteed (I'm told that surgery could even make it worse, so I'm hesitant).
So, here's what I'm proposing -- how would you all feel if instead of a new piece each week, I aimed for a new piece every 2 weeks? If I can get them done faster than that without issues, I will. But if I can't, I think it will be better for my health and my longterm ability to keep making art if I could work more slowly and take even more breaks. A longer space between pieces would also allow me to experiment with ideas that I couldn't in the past, or spend time making simple animations again.
BUT -- if switching to a slower schedule means that I'll lose a lot of my support, I probably can't do it, even if it wrecks me in the long term. I have a house and bills (and medical bills ๐) to pay. I want to make sure that y'all will still find my work valuable enough to be worth your money.
Also, if you have any other suggestions, thoughts, etc., please let me know in the comments. As always, I appreciate the support very much, and I hope you're all doing well.
Comments
Haha No
I haven't been a supporter for a while for financial reasons, so I don't know the value of my opinion and I won't make a formal vote, but I'll say that if I ever am in a place to go back to supporting accounts on Patreon again, this decrease (or even a greater one) in frequency wouldn't stop me from coming back to you. Take care of yourself.
Johnny!
I can only speak for myself, but I would not be upset if you even drop down to 1 piece a month or even no art for a little while to fully recover. If you continue the way you're going, eventually we're going to get no art from you. I would much rather you get yourself well and continue making art for a long time in the future.
Weber Jo
I've been a fan for a long time. I prefer quality over quantity. Even more if it means you won't risk your health for it. Take your time your time and I wish you luck in finding some medical solution!
Xaq
Artist's well-being and health come first. Good art is worth the wait.
Woah
Yeah man I ain't bugging getting 2 less pieces a month. I mainly support the art in general so its fine by me. Take care of yourself.
PPJ
Ideally just rest and if you finish the piece early take the extra time to rest.
MA2
Take care of yourself man! I would support you regardless of any way you decided to handle this. Can't enjoy the art if you're suffering for it!
PK Gaming
The vote speaks for themselves We've all got your back
Poo Jackson
Whatever you need, King ๐๐
Monkey man
I propose option c of just taking some time off for rest. I've supported patrons while creators needed a couple months off. Your incredible art is worth that to me.
Naoya
You really should take it easy and rest up. Either a long/short vacation before switching to the two week schedule would be ideal, in my opinion. Think of it like this: you can't continue to make art and do right by your fans if you end up injuring yourself such that you can't make art anymore, right? It's a bit selfish, focusing on the fans instead of yourself, but if thats the way you need to frame it to rest up and heal, I don't see a problem with doing so. I mean, at the end of the day we're all supporting you for you and your pieces! It's not like anyone else has your exact style or personality or characters designs; those traits are unique to you. I can't say I speak for every fan of yours, but I'm sure the majority would rather see you healthy to continue drawing instead of the alternative.
Faulyn
I'm a more recent patreon supporter but i've been following your work for years (Aigis PFP if you remember that), i think that once every two weeks is more than acceptable. above all your health matters, please do what you need to do so that you don't just survive the week, but thrive <3
Cley Faye
It's fine to me. Maybe do a few more layer for variants to compensate if you feel like it, but I don't think it's that big of a deal to lower your output to not wreck yourself. And the pics are good.
DandyLordLiebs
You heal up homie ๐ช๐ป ๐๐ป
CaptCronos
Your health us the most important thing. Everything else is secondary. Less output is fine.
MrSchmiphf
You've been one of my absolute GOATs of the online art space for years now, please do whatever you need to do to make yourself healthy, the boobs and butts can wait
Matthew Willer
My money will go to you regardless, man. Take all the time you need.
b4k4
Take time off, I'd still support you. That said, if you feel the need to maintain some kind of output, I think 2 weeks (or longer) is fine. Quality over quantity.
Jack Allen
the wellbeing of the artist is more important then the art in almost all cases, do what you gotta do my man i'll still be here
Drake
tbh you should take a month or two off imo, in addition to reducing the post frequency
Gronk
It's not worth if the artist is suffering just so that I can enjoy a new piece every single week. Please take care of yourself
jlxp
As a long time patron and fan of your art, Iโm sticking around no matter what. But even from a cold hard business angle, every two weeks is still more than a lot of other artists I support. So hopefully this has minimal impact on that end and, more importantly, I hope you can get the rest and recovery that you need.
Spaguter_Intruder
Iโm not here because you produce a lot of art, Iโm here because I fell in love with your art and want you to keep doing it.
Evan
If you are worried about value, maybe open it up to a poll? I think 2 weeks is a good amount of time for your art, but for others who might not feel that way, maybe giving them a choice on what gets made would feel better? Idk, like I said I feel a peice every 2 weeks is good
Evan
I would rather you took some time and rest. But in lieu of that I think 2 weeks is super understandable.
MakAttack
I hope you do less NSFW honestly but you do whatever makes you happy. OFC one every two weeks is worthwhile.
Masa
Really don't want you to push yourself at the expense of your health. Give yourself more time to rest.
YukiKazami
The whole point of Patreon is to allow us a place to support creators at their own pace, you absolutely should take the time you need to healthily create!
Sam I Am
Take care of yourself! If it takes longer to make a piece, so be it. I support you because I enjoy what you make, so take as much time as your body needs, I'll still be here.
Shodan
I rather you take care of yourself and recover than be miserable with pain and stress. I support you not just because of your art, but also because as a person you genuinely try your hardest to deliver regardless of what it is, and that is worth supporting in my eyes. Stay strong, king.
Momo
Get well soon akai sensei. Youโre truly one of my fav artists and if it means u can continue giving us awesome stuff Iโd even take once a month <3
OmegaBlade0
Your health always comes first. I'm always excited to see a new post from you, but if that comes at the cost of wrecking your body, I'd rather wait, I could even wait for months. Please take care of yourself first.
Jacob minton
You are literally my favorite artist. You can do whatever you want big dog I support you no matter what.
Kalyx
You need to put your health above all else; I'll support you no matter what your output is. You've been my biggest inspiration over the last almost decade in wanting to become an artist and growing more โค๏ธ cheers to you and hope you get better soon
RivRider
I always believe in the health of the artist above all else. I like to imagine most people are here because they want to support you being able to make more art! Even if production has to slow down for your health, there's no shot all of us won't go "OH SHIT, NEW AKAIRIOT BANGER, HAPPY TO SEE HE'S COOKING WHEN HE CAN!" So by all means, focus on your health!
Penguin
Take all the time you need getting rest is very important nothing will change my support at least
Tamago
Honestly you can take longer than 2 weeks if you need it. Hope you start getting healthier and feeling better!
Claire Knatt
I had a nice little spiel all typed up at first, but it felt a little overkill. I'll just say that I've been a fan of not just your work, but your overall positive vibes for a long time now. It isn't really for the perks that I've stayed subbed, your well-being takes priority all the way, man. Take the time to take better care of yourself! You could only manage a piece monthly and I'd still be more than content.
Quanta Starfire
I think it's important to prioritize your health first and foremost, since you won't be drawing anything if you keep pushing yourself too hard. It's not really an issue if you want to scale things back imo. I feel that as long as you set people's expectations properly, you can draw as much or as little as you want, so long as you make good on whatever you've promised to deliver. A drawing every two weeks is perfectly fair imo.
noremac891
Take all the time you need! Last thing we want is you permanently hurting yourself and potentially never making art again so a slower schedule (or even a hiatus to recover) is absolutely understandable
MGL139
I'm here because I want to support you, not because I need a new drawing every week. Work at a pace that's healthy and reasonable for you.
Jim Avery
I've never seen a completely one-sided poll on Patreon before but as of right now all 100% of the voters want you to get better.
Jovinius Maximus
Slow down, homie, your pictures are worth the wait, and more importantly, aren't worth permanently injuring yourself.
LoreNut_Nor
Less art, more endurance is far superior to you burning yourself out.
Aggs
Your well being always comes first, man. We all love your art, but if it comes at the cost of your health, it's not worth it for anybody. I'd be happy for one new drawing every month if it came to it, as long as you're focusing on getting better!
fairycouch
I would much rather have less art than an unwell artist
Merc
Your health is most important, getting art more frequently isnt going to be worthwhile for anybody if you have to stop sooner due to your health. Take care of yourself, maybe you could look at posting a WIP in the odd weeks (should one be viable) to help ease the gap? I know posting WIPs can be stressful itself, but it keeps things regular and if that helps the stress more than it adds to it, good!
Ch3ssy
You can't put out art if you're not letting yourself rest / recuperate Get the R&R you need, king
kafein
2 weeks works just fine, you gotta let your body heal when you can and prioritize yourself brother ๐
ShadowMark3
Man, dial it back as much as you need. Take care of yourself.
MaybeBrady
Take care of yourself! Always looking forward to seeing new art no matter what the frequency is
AT
For me 1 piece every 2 weeks is fine Your health is beyond worth it without question. And if getting the rest you need puts you where you need to be to recover and keep going long into the future then go for it.
Pidgey
Longtime fan, don't post much but always take care of yourself. Always looking forward to whats new.
Cyrus Azrael
Your health comes first so please take care of yourself! ๐
BURGERFAN
If you took 3 months off I wouldn't even flinch
StroggifiedNoob
Please take care of yourself first.
DivineBovine
I canโt speak for everyone but if you need 6 months off (I picked that randomly) to be able to draw more consistently on a schedule you prefer and heal up, Iโd stay paying. Playing the long game and all.
Lyndon Dupont
I can't speak for everyone as a lurker, but I'm more than happy to wait so you can recover and be in better health. Plus, quality over quantity. Your art is beyond worth waiting for.
Error 54
Health comes first
Adog999
Quality over quantity ^-^
