sinope
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BB Commissions... Long read but pretty important.
🕑 Added 2021-08-15 21:14:02 +0000 UTCThis post is only going out to those supporting me at the higher levels and collecting BB.
I think everyone has been noticing that I've been having a lot of difficulties with the commissions ever since I've started it. I don't know if its because I set the price of the commissions too low or because no one has been using their BB or because I just suck at commissions!
Just to clarify, I LOOVVEEE drawing for all of you! It seriously is why I get up in the morning and draw draw draw for hours. It is constantly in my thoughts with every line I draw with anticipation how all of you are going to enjoy whatever I draw and I think that is what makes the story and the art turn out so well. When I come up with a funny joke, I am just like a little kid in anticipation of telling it to all of you. It all comes from my absolute love for drawing for you.
The Problem...
I'm not sure why but it definitely does not transfer over to commissions. They are such a drain. :(. I don't know why it is. I think that even you all can tell that my heart is so not into it and I'm just trying to fake passion into the piece. These two weeks have not been what I expected. I thought I would get into the groove of doing commissions but it has turned into a living nightmare. I just stare at my drawing tablet almost dreading having to sit down and draw. :(. I hate that feeling of dreading drawing for YOU!
To make things worse, I just added up all of the commissions that still need to be purchased and it is 242 of them! Even if I stop the BB program today and I manage to do 3 commissions during FanWeek every month, that will be 6 years before I can clear the boards of current BB.
Collectors...
I'm not an economist but one thing I did not realize about a currency/points/airmiles system is that people love to collect them but they don't like to use them. While some people save them for a particular purchase in mind, most people WANT to use them eventually but in reality never do. So it turns out that those BB out there are going to eventually go unused when either they die of old age or I'm overwhelmed with my BB debt and stop drawing forever so I don't have to fulfill them while all of you are furious that I cheated you and I get hunted down and need to go into hiding until eventually someone murders me. :( (okay... I'm just kidding but I really feel like I'm cheating you if I stop Patreon forever because of my BB debt).
So... what are we going to do?
Can I raise the prices? That is totally unfair to everyone who collected BB for commissions.
Can I cancel the system? What am I going to do to show my appreciation to all of you who want to support my art at a higher level?
Can I make the points expire? That is a nightmare of accounting as I would have to tag each point with an expiry date and delete them... already the accounting creates two or three accounting errors every month.
Can we use the points for something else? Votes for the next comic I draw? Seems like such a waste of something I think is dear.
Please stand by...
As for now, please look up your BB totals and let me know how many commissions you reasonably would like to have and how many BB you would like to have left over. Your BB will NEVER go away and you will continue to be able to collect them for SOMETHING here.
Future of Commissions...
You know what's strange? I hate doing commissions but sketches are so much fun! I just love doing them and when someone requests something, for some reason I can't wait to get started on it for some reason. That side of commissions I'm sure will never go away because I just enjoy it so much!
Non Fundable Tokens
One thought I had was using BB to purchase special Patreon-only NFTs. There will be standard versions but the real value is in these special ones that you can only purchase as a patron here.
A Penny For Your Thoughts?
So, what do YOU think? I'm just constantly overwhelmed and really want to hang it all up. Honestly. I've been thinking a few times this month how I can just disappear and never draw again. It would be a TOTAL tragedy if all of this fun, inspiration and art created here was destroyed by this stupid monetary system that I totally screwed up. Please let me know your thoughts on BB and commissions! How important is it to you? How do you think I can change it?
Comments
Julia Sinope
I haven’t picked up a pencil in ages but I’m sure I still can. My brother does well in original art and says I really need to chain myself to digital. I’ll think on it.
Julia Sinope
Oh! I know this story very well. All girls in the 80’s were obsessed with Farrah Fawcett and Brook Shields and probably watched movies like Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon when they really shouldn’t have! That’s part of the reason why I am so against exposing kids to overtly sexualized media at a too early age as it really damages them forever resulting in them becoming erotic comic book artists! :P
Julia Sinope
I’ll get that fixed. I’m horrible at accounting! I’ll check it out! These period pieces with a modern twist are fun!
David Lewis
PS…I found the BB numbers posted for July, I’m not sure why it says I’m a “former” member, but I haven’t changed my tier. Btw, I still get compliments on the commission you did for me. After reading this post I think you will like my next commissioned idea. Ever heard of the infamous “Storyville” of New Orleans? Check out the photographs of EJ Bellocq and his photographs of the prostitutes of this early 1900’s era.
David Lewis
Is all your medium digital or do you also draw by hand onto paper? Now an autographed hand drawn piece of art would priceless! What fan wouldn’t want an original Julia Sinope? Just a thought.
Julia Sinope
Please don’t refrain from sending me a sketch request. (PS I love doing sketches!)
RH
Know that I've a pile of BB's . . . as you've been swamped with life, etc., and what I've enjoyed most about your art is when you're working on something that tickles your fancy! But, it's been hard for me to figure out what you'd like to do . . .. So, do you have any projects or items you'd really enjoy doing? One's that have been put on hold or delayed because of 'stuff'? I'd love to commission you to do those . . . (P.S. I luv sketches).
Julia Sinope
Yes. Don’t worry, there will always be sketches!
Animeplayer
I better start thinking then because I know I racked up aloy but never fleshed out what I want exactly.
Julia Sinope
Take as many commissions as you think you’d like right now and I’ll come up with something good for everyone’s future bucks. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of that!
Jeephreak
TBH, I haven’t used them yet because, as you stated, you’ve had a lot on your plate. Your ambition was like walking into a grocery store hungry, you overfill the cart. I’ll check out the options for using the BB for other than a commission. I enjoy the art, the jokes, and your quirkiness. You’re doing fine by me. All the best.
Avery McCreedy
Understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed. Seems you took on a pretty ambitious plate, and you've realized that. So go ahead and change the teir system, change the bb program to bettet suit your life. We are here to support you, because we enjoy your art, and will continue to do so.
Jamie Willis
No worries, I've not spent my BB on anything yet, I've asked you a question in a DM, not got back to me but it's fine :)
