FA+
Shop
We need to talk
2 months ago
Recently, I've noticed that the demand for my work has decreased, both for YCH and for commissions...
I haven't changed the prices in the price list since spring, and the demand was normal in spring.
Now I charge prices lower for my offers than indicated in the price list, but even so, slots are practically not taken.
Maybe most of you think my prices are still high? Maybe you don't like the format of the drawings or the ideas I suggest?
Would you, for example, like to order something from me that I don't usually draw (NSFW, fetish stuff)?
In any case, I'm ready to listen, because I really want to figure out the reason and stop worrying about it...
I haven't changed the prices in the price list since spring, and the demand was normal in spring.
Now I charge prices lower for my offers than indicated in the price list, but even so, slots are practically not taken.
Maybe most of you think my prices are still high? Maybe you don't like the format of the drawings or the ideas I suggest?
Would you, for example, like to order something from me that I don't usually draw (NSFW, fetish stuff)?
In any case, I'm ready to listen, because I really want to figure out the reason and stop worrying about it...
I'd love to commission you and many other artists regularly but of course I only have so much money ^^; I dont think it's your art style or anything you've done wrong.
I think NSFW typically makes more money with furries. Though I would personally probably not buy more art at this point just for nsfw.
Sorry that's probably not helpful. Independent business as an artist seems very difficult.
I think also like the other comment said that the crazy cost of living as of late isnt helping people want to spend on things like art.
Maybe some YCHs that work well with your style and people liked in the past?
I'll try to think about what I can do with my creativity to improve the situation. And thank you for sharing your opinion on this, it's really valuable to me.
Btw, I don't know if you remember, but you've been following me for so long, haha, I remember you and your character hyena, how I drew commissions for you in my first couple of years at the FA. I just wanted to say that I'm glad to see you every time, I immediately remember my first years on this website, ahah. Thank you for still staying here:3
If I have money left over next paycheck I'll try and grab a commission from you ^^
Say, characters posing in a potentially lewd way or with little clothing?
It's just that in such a huge community of artists, it's hard not to compare yourself with others, whose demand at any time of the day or year. And I was a little worried about it, that maybe my creativity might not match the majority's request in some way.
The economy is the biggest reason. Everyone is affected with increased cost of living, so the pool of disposable income is dwindling, which means less demand for furry art as a whole.
I think there is also an element of priority at play where some artists are in more demand and therefore are less affected by the downturn. This is likely because their buyers are less affected (they are more likely to be able to afford furry art), and because they are more limited, there is an opportunity cost in not having that money available when they are open.
I also wonder if someone always being open hurts them in the sense that commissioners are complacent? Like... "I can get that any time" may actually lead to a person never getting it because there's no risk of missing out. I don't think you should worry too much about this, though, because I could see trying to solve it hurting you more.
One big thing, though, that might help, is staying active, especially on social media. Regular art posts and engagement creates interest. Fan art can go a long way.
Speaking for myself, I think I'd prefer SFW content from you over NSFW. I very much enjoy NSFW, but your art is wholesome and charming, and I feel like it'd clash with your style. That said, your Bojack fanart had a more mature feel to it than others...
Your recent ychs haven't been for me. The duck floaty is a good price, but i don't see any of my characters using one.
As for NSFW, it's really a difficult topic for me. And I'm glad that there are people who appreciate my work, regardless of whether it's erotic. After all, for me personally, art is a way of self-expression, and even if I were to portray NSFW, there would be nothing from me as a person in works with such content, there would be no inspiration and a piece of soul, if you know what I mean. For me, it would not be an art, but just a craft for the sake of earning money. And I have nothing against such content, those who consume it or those who produce it. Moreover, perhaps one day I'll produce such content myself, if the demand situation does not change or becomes even worse, just to expand my offer and the range of potential customers. But most likely, for NSFW content I'll create a separate account, since I'd like to separate "unemotional work" and "spiritual creativity," so to speak.
Thank you again for your words!! For me, the opinion of people who follow and appreciate my work even has a kind of healing effect. I'm glad that someone really had words for me, that I'm not just an artist whose work is faved and forgotten!!
I think your current prices are pretty fair for the quality and time you put into them. The summer time YCH while I think is a good YCH, probably won't see much demand now since the summer times is more or less over. Personally I would love to go for those chibi OCs, the little doggy YCH and/or especially the graffiti YCH sketches at a later date. (If they're available later of course!)
As for the NSFW part, I can clearly see you're a very passionate artist with the wonderful art pieces you draw and admittedly, I would be interested and intrigued by how a NSFW piece would look from you. With that said, I would never on purpose try to push any artist to draw anything they're uncomfortable drawing, regardless if it's SFW or NSFW in nature. I know you have your reasons but no one would blame you If you did decide to draw NSFW pieces for money just to get by in this economy.
At the end of the day, i understand you have your morals and reasonings and you're the one who can decide what you're willing and not willing to draw and I can respect that. Personally though I think you have potential to make pretty good tasteful nudity kind of NSFW pieces judging from certain past SFW comms you drew, although it might be harder to do with certain kinks involved... but you can always just choose to draw the more lighter SFW-ish kinks or just limit just how NSFW-ish you would be willing to draw on a kink subject art piece.
Whatever you decide to do, I do wish you the best and I'll continue to commission you more whenever I'm able to do so. :)
On the contrary, I noticed that demand decreases in the summer, and the rest of the year it stays at about the same level, but this autumn the cycle was disrupted and there has been no demand since the summer, and there is practically no demand so far :(
As for NSFW, I've been thinking about it and will continue to think about it. You're right that I can set up a narrower range of "allowed" NSFW content so that I feel more comfortable, and most likely I'll do this first (so that anybody don't order something like guro, zoo or pedo content from me, brrrr).
It's also about the fact that I find it much more enjoyable to draw women, lesbian porn, and their nudes. I even drew it for myself, and I really liked it. But among the furry community, in my opinion, there are many more men and male characters, and drawing naked men or gay porn is no longer so comfortable for me due to my own sexual orientation. It's not about disgust or rejection, it's just that it's harder for me to get into it and, consequently, get some positive moral experience too.
Honestly, if someone came to me right now with an offer to draw lesbian porn, I would agree without hesitation, ahahah. But since I'm going to expand my offer by drawing NSFW content, it would be ineffective to limit myself to drawing only women characters.
In general, it's not enough for me to decide to draw such content in general, I need to consider the boundaries of acceptable kinks in order to avoid or reduce possible discomfort on my part and on the part of the customer.