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I'm STILL struggling... Support? Advice?
2 years ago
MOVED ACCOUNTS! 
sorensystem 
sorensystemSooo as some of you may know, I reduced my commission prices about 2 months ago. I was in a tough spot and needed more immediate income, and everything I had tried up until then hadn't worked. So I lowered them by anywhere from 25 to almost 50 percent, depending on the type, while keeping up my other advertising efforts in hopes it would bring in more traction.
Well... it still didn't work.
On one hand, it's kind of affirming that when people try to push you to lower your fees with the promise that you'll get more work that way, it's not actually true. So to anyone reading this: DON'T DO IT. Don't let random clients (who may not even pay for your work anyway) convince you to undervalue yourself.
On the other hand, the fact remains that I'm still in a tough spot financially. I'm completely out of ideas. I've taken out ads here on FA, in convention souvenir books, stretched myself to as many platforms as I can think of (and handle), started a Ko-Fi and merch shops for those who want something other than commissions... I even did a giveaway over on my Twitter, and I only got 4 entries. (At least that way I can make something for everyone, I guess?) I've done convention Artist Alleys and craft fairs, and for the first time in years, I finally have another one lined up this November. But I've sold almost nothing, and I'm lucky to get more than 1 commission a month, if that.
Luckily, I have a spouse who can help support me, and a day job that I enjoy to earn basic income. But I'm still frustrated and stressed.
If anyone has ANY suggestions that aren't "lower your prices" or "draw NSFW/fetish/fanservice/like (other artist)'s style", I'm all ears. Words of encouragement would be appreciated, too. I've been on this site for almost 11 years and I don't understand why it's still this difficult.
Well... it still didn't work.
On one hand, it's kind of affirming that when people try to push you to lower your fees with the promise that you'll get more work that way, it's not actually true. So to anyone reading this: DON'T DO IT. Don't let random clients (who may not even pay for your work anyway) convince you to undervalue yourself.
On the other hand, the fact remains that I'm still in a tough spot financially. I'm completely out of ideas. I've taken out ads here on FA, in convention souvenir books, stretched myself to as many platforms as I can think of (and handle), started a Ko-Fi and merch shops for those who want something other than commissions... I even did a giveaway over on my Twitter, and I only got 4 entries. (At least that way I can make something for everyone, I guess?) I've done convention Artist Alleys and craft fairs, and for the first time in years, I finally have another one lined up this November. But I've sold almost nothing, and I'm lucky to get more than 1 commission a month, if that.
Luckily, I have a spouse who can help support me, and a day job that I enjoy to earn basic income. But I'm still frustrated and stressed.
If anyone has ANY suggestions that aren't "lower your prices" or "draw NSFW/fetish/fanservice/like (other artist)'s style", I'm all ears. Words of encouragement would be appreciated, too. I've been on this site for almost 11 years and I don't understand why it's still this difficult.
So... I just want to say don't give up and try to enjoy drawing I think it's the most important part in your situation to be happy to draw what you want and share it with people who want to follow you !
more fanart of popular shows? Ik Pokemon and more anime-like things tend to garner attention.
It's very unfortunate seeing you struggle as you're a very talented artist.
NEVER do NSFW though, it's never a good idea. You start getting creeps in your DMs
That's the frustrating thing, I HAVE done fanart and it actually does LESS well than my non-fanart stuff. I've tried Pokemon, Tales, Genshin, Bleach Fire Emblem, etc. and none of it has really drawn people in. So I do it occasionally to maybe try and grab people who like those things, but it hasn't been as much of a focus because of the lack of response I get. D:
Do what's popular, and if something like Pokemon, go for the popular Pokemon for example.
And then mix it in with your own works as well.
Basically the "I came for the <fanart>, stayed for the artist's art in general" mentality.
I peeersonally would like to see more of your full background paintings to be honest, I find it more of a pull-in than the plain-background-type images (unless again it's a particular subject ie a favourite character/animal). I say this because the full renders do a better job of showing off your artistic (especially colouring) skills, and just overall does much better justice on your style.
What I'm seeing with other artists is that they have a particular "theme" of their art, not just style, that seems to be their main selling point.
Like "they do great dragons" or "they do great anime storyline type images" or "they do great macabre stuff". And when I look at their gallery yeah I see a lot of it, with a sprinkle of other things on the side.
I point this out because I'm wondering if you should narrow in on a "primary" subject. Not saying abandon other things, but something along the lines of "if a person wants a particular type of art, they go 'oh yeah I will go to Aki-rain because they do great xyz".
Again looking at your gallery, I personally am drawn particularly to your fully rendered stuff with the painterly style, because it shows it off soooo well in all its glory, which when I think Aki-rain, I think of the way you paint.
For example: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53160005/ and https://www.furaffinity.net/view/51039739/
And this one especially https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48456173/ all the little details
These are glorious. Imagine if we see more of these, or of these with some popular characters?
I originally WAS focusing more on paintings with backgrounds, but then I noticed that far more people were commissioning regular fullbodies, and the paintings were few and far between. So I started doing more of the standalone characters in hopes that having more examples and spreading the word about those more would draw people in. I guess not?
I think that in order to find a customer base, first you need to define who your target audience is. There are many niches in the furry community and they don't always intersect. Having a clear picture of who you want to appeal to will give you some pointers on what changes you might have to do to your art in order to make it more marketable.
One piece of advice that I've heard recently and I believe it holds true is that when it comes to business, people's behavior is way more important than people's word. Someone might say that they will pay X for something, but in reality they won't.
When it comes to commissions, once you know who your audience is, look at the kind of art they get, from who they get, and how much these people are charging. Also analyze the type of art, its style, themes, level of detail, this should give you some indicators on what to change.
In a nutshell, you need to adjust your portfolio for the type of job you want to get, or in the case of commissions to the audience you want to appeal to. If I tried getting an art job at MtG for example, I would need to change my works to reflect the style and quality level that is expected from MtG artists.
If you want some more technical suggestions based on your gallery as well as some resources we could continue via Notes, just send me a ping and I'll be happy to elaborate =3