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Is posting commisisoned art worth it?
4 years ago
I guess I will preface this with an interesting event that happened recently. It has to do with the succubus 3 parter that I posted a few days ago.
It was rapidly grabbed and reposted in multiple places elsewhere on the net. I didn't get any credit for my part in the creation. I also didn't get much feedback on them here.
Now, having this happen is of course the standard when posting stuff on the net. People are going to do whatever they want to do with anything they find. But I am finding myself getting tired of repeating the same phrase over and over: "This is just the way the net is."
The only thing that really keeps me posting is when someone actually says something like "i like this!" or "great work!" or "thanks for posting!". Without that sort of feedback, it really feels like no one gives a damn about the stuff that I put up, except so they can go repost it on reddit or hentai sites or wherever... where it might eventually have stuff done to it that i don't like (i.e character 'theft' or worse, some asshole trying to resell them as part of a package to people online).
I might just be depressed (again)... But in all seriousness, I kinda came back to FA to look for interactions with folks, meet new people, chat about similar likes, and etc, and really nothing has panned out (though my thanks go out to the 5 or so people who have been willing to keep in touch on discord since I came back).
At this rate, I'll end up stopping posting of stuff again.
I dunno. I guess I'm writing this journal because I was about to post another piece of art from my collection, but then stopped and kinda shrugged to myself and said 'why bother? no one's gonna give a shit'. However, I thought maybe I could get some discourse with people about this topic; Is posting commissioned art even worth doing? It's not really generating discussion, it's not getting much feedback, and very unfortunately, it's not even helping the artists who I commissioned the pieces from. All it seems to do is give the re-posters more fodder.
Thoughts, anyone?
It was rapidly grabbed and reposted in multiple places elsewhere on the net. I didn't get any credit for my part in the creation. I also didn't get much feedback on them here.
Now, having this happen is of course the standard when posting stuff on the net. People are going to do whatever they want to do with anything they find. But I am finding myself getting tired of repeating the same phrase over and over: "This is just the way the net is."
The only thing that really keeps me posting is when someone actually says something like "i like this!" or "great work!" or "thanks for posting!". Without that sort of feedback, it really feels like no one gives a damn about the stuff that I put up, except so they can go repost it on reddit or hentai sites or wherever... where it might eventually have stuff done to it that i don't like (i.e character 'theft' or worse, some asshole trying to resell them as part of a package to people online).
I might just be depressed (again)... But in all seriousness, I kinda came back to FA to look for interactions with folks, meet new people, chat about similar likes, and etc, and really nothing has panned out (though my thanks go out to the 5 or so people who have been willing to keep in touch on discord since I came back).
At this rate, I'll end up stopping posting of stuff again.
I dunno. I guess I'm writing this journal because I was about to post another piece of art from my collection, but then stopped and kinda shrugged to myself and said 'why bother? no one's gonna give a shit'. However, I thought maybe I could get some discourse with people about this topic; Is posting commissioned art even worth doing? It's not really generating discussion, it's not getting much feedback, and very unfortunately, it's not even helping the artists who I commissioned the pieces from. All it seems to do is give the re-posters more fodder.
Thoughts, anyone?
At the end of the day, this is still a fetish site. People look for whatever works for them, and if they can't find a specific thing here, they'll have to look elsewhere or make their own.
But you're right about that statement- people look for what they want, and do what they want. That's just the way the net is...
I think that maybe it's just me- the chat stuff (or reaching out to talk separately) is a form of validation, and that's kind of what I'm looking for, I guess.
For you posting the commissions that are so nice, well, yeah people just seem to snatch and toss it onto one of a million upload places, no proper credit. I imagine that's discouraging, but also? If you're happy you got the piece and enjoy the interactions you had with the artist, and any that come along? Let that be what makes you content, don't worry about getting validation through others...I say that as someone struggling with it myself, I've been far too reliant on the praise and comments of others on my life, and it only leads to disappointment IMO.
I thought I'd share my two cents, but I hope you don't stop sharing your awesome art pieces, especially not over the pettiness of others. Try to find what makes -you- happy, then let the rest follow as a bonus! I think you've got an incredible gallery, and I'd be glad to see more.
Hang in there, depression is a monster and it's in all of us, but we can be there for one another even in little ways. You're not alone and your works are noticed and appreciated, commissioned or not. :)
I am happy with most of this stuff that goes up, though. I actually have a lot more piece that I am unhappy with (for whatever reason) that don't go up, which is a story on its own. I was figuring that by sharing it with others, i'd get some nice interactions with folks (kind of like this very post in this very journal!) and maybe stir up some extra business for the artist at the same time.
I also kind of figured that the pics weren't doing anyone any good just sitting in a digital folder. However, on the same note, me putting things out there with so little feedback doesn't really do me any good either, I think.
Anyways, thank you for the feedback- and you are right, relying on the validation of others does seem to be nothing but trouble, now that I think about it some more. I am quite torn on what to do next, but I'll be thinking about it and will take this little chat into consideration!
I'll have to make my celebration and admiration of that more vocal! ^_^
Anyways, thank you very much for this comment- and thank you for the kind words! *hugs*
Fun fact, I actually browse e621 now and then. It's good to see the source posts, but sometimes they can come from irreputable places like reddit (that seems to be uncommon there though). I did notice that recently they changed it so that autofill doesn't work anymore on the front search page, though - now i have to type in 'transformation' in full (and make sure not to click the various transformation sub ideas that pop up), instead of just typing in 'tr' and letting it auto fill, lol.
Anyways, thank you for the kind words and for this comment; the last bit about wanting to see who commissioned it is really nice and is the sort of thing that I was hoping to hear :)
That aside though, I do agree about the 'yelling into the void' part; And also, to be honest, I've looked over most of the stuff that I've put up, and not all of them are empty and devoid of comments, which is nice... so maybe it really is just me being dissatisfied and/or lonely. I'll probably have to do some more self reflection.
Anyways, thank you for the comment and your thoughts- you've been very helpful :)
Anyways, this most recent event was on a few art sites like ehentai (which I don't really trust the do-not-post rules on), and also twitter/reddit- which is impossible to ask for a removal from as far as i know.
I think what really irked me this last round was someone reposting the succubus series elsewhere, and getting more feedback on their site than I did on here, which gave me the impression that people here didn't give much of a crap about the art (other than to repost it).
Also, you do what very few commisioners do in that you add descriptions and stories to the artwork that massively enhances the experience. This is something the rip-off merchants will never be able to replicate. Your storytelling skills are impecible.
As an example, The Burning Steppes series from a few years ago is one I've revisited multiple times and it wouldn't be the same without your story reinforcing the images.
Thanks for everything you do Grey. The effort you put in is incredible and I'll be sure to join the discord now that you mentioned it.
Anyways, thank you very much for the kind words; it really helps :)
I can imagine the frustrations of reposted, non-credited art, which I don't think has happened with any of mine yet, but one thing I might recommend is getting a 'Commissioned by' watermark that you could put on the images you upload, next to the artist's signature. Might not stop the theft, but the odds of it being attributed to you would go up quite a bit.
Hope you arrive at a comfortable decision!
Anyways, thank you for the kind words, and also the balanced approach to it; you are very right that this whole thing requires some more thought... I don't feel like leaving right away, truth be told. Right now I'm just feeling a little used by reposters and unappreciated otherwise.
Aside from that, thank you for the comment- I would personally feel even worse if i went through the trouble to write up a big story for a piece, and got the same amount of interest regardless.
That aside, I really liked the stuff in your gallery, so I gave you a watch. Maybe I can try to comment over there and get you some decent positive reinforcement yourself, eh? :)
And thanks- I hope to see your comments in the future, that would push me big time to keep commissioning and keep getting some awesome stuff.
Anyways, please keep on posting your cool stuff in your own gallery! We can be lonelybuddies and comment on eachother's work to feel better, lol.
I always ask for the source when someone posts something, because I almost always immediately know that they're not the creator of it, or, it's just good to always assume so unless proven otherwise. Good thing there are image searches out there so finding the source is much easier, but still.
Again, in the end, it's up to you. If you wanna stop posting here, that's completely understandable, but if you really just wanna continue, that's up to you as well. It's your choice, and your responsibility to make that choice. Do whatever your heart desires, not because someone is ruining it for you or because other people say you shouldn't.
Still, I appreciate the feedback- and kudos on you for keeping tabs on sources! :)
On feedback to a commissioner though it gets funky. I'm someone in the same boat of commissioning a lot of work that get spread around without much in the way of feedback as well. I think most people are just passive observers, so I've learned to take what people like and dislike of my work just based off of favorites and when influxes of watchers come in. I know a lot of commissioners ignore comments and feedback which I think turns people off, hard to say though.
In the end it's your work, so whether it's worth reposting is on you. I know I for one enjoyed it enough to track it down and follow you because I wanted to see what else you had. But really it's more your own kindness to the greater community to post those things.
I would also agree that most people tend to passively observe. It feels like a lot of folks browse through their followed users, take a look at whatever they might like, then move on- and asking them to comment is actually a lot more work from them then one might think >.<
Anyways, I agree 100% with what you have said here. After reading this (and the many other comments) I think I will still post stuff, but will do it less frequently (i was originally trying to post one thing a day, but I think I'm going to revert to a more sanity-preserving 'post when i feel like it' approach, lol)
Keep sharing the awesome stuff, it was great to have you back.
cheers!
I can totally understand not having a lot to say- I was betting that a lot of folks are in the same situation after some thought.
I also think the favs are a good way to try to measure someone giving a thumbs up, so I will try to remember that too for the future :)
Anyways, thank you for the kind words as well- stuff like that is what keeps me around :)
And also thank you for being one of the few talkative discord folks since my 'comeback', lol. I really don't have that many folks who I chat with, so it's pretty lonely out there >.<
But the stuff that IS to my taste is greatly enjoyed!
I'll admit I'm usually a good commenter, I like leaving comments on stuff, but I've been lacking since you've returned. Which is funny since I was quite excited to see you posting again!
In short: please don't stop, I'll see to leaving more comments! <3
I still like seeing what you have to post! A lot of what you've put up since returning has mostly appealed to me! I've just admittedly been a touch crap making comments ^^;
Still, it's a double-edged sword I find with posting commissioned pieces. On one hand, I see it as a means of promoting the commissioned artist through your ideas, stories and characters - I likely wouldn't have discovered many of the artists you've commissioned over the years had you not posted those pieces and sequences, not to mention exploring ideas that I likely wouldn't have entertained at the time. On the other hand, I've also seen many instances where so much focus went straight to the artist or subject matter that the commissioner, short of being famous enough to be synonymous with the latter, seemed to get left behind and forgotten in the ordeal.
I agree that it can be more than a little frustrating.
As others have said however, if the commissioned works bring you happiness regardless of whether or not you post them online, then validation need not apply.
If it's all the same to you however, I wouldn't mind getting in touch as well.
Anyways, if you want to get in touch and have discord, go ahead and send me a note. I'd be happy to share my discord info with you :)
i dont always comment on things though, not on every single thing i +Fav or like here on FA for sure. mostly cause i'm awkward and can't always think of something original to say, and just commenting to say "oh i love this pic!" seems bland to me, but i dont always have the time, energy or creativity to go into a long, in-depth comment on what exactly i love about the picture or sequence.
i mean, that's just me, probably everyone has their own way of showing appreciation and stuff. i'ts not common i go into in-depth comments like this one on anything really but i hope this at least conveys that i love your commissions, i was sad to see you stop posting years ago, was absolutely thrilled you came back recently, and i will be sad if you leave again. (i'm basically FA-only when it comes to my art/porn-viewing habits)
Aside from that though, thank you for commenting on this journal and sharing your thoughts. And don't worry, I'm not at the point where I want to actively leave again (yet), so I'll be around for a while still :p
But otherwise, thank you for the comment and speaking out! :)
But please remember: i'm no artist- I just commission them!
Thanks for commenting, btw!
For example, someone could go through my gallery, see a bunch of pregnancy/egglaying pics, steal them and put them together in a package, then go to some webstore site and sell them as an 'egg art bundle'. Neither myself nor the artist who originally made the art gets a penny, but the thief gets everything. That sort of deal happens all the time on the net, unfortunately.
That being said, I have used FA to meet friends that I still am friends with. Those meetings and interactions probably wouldn't have happened if I didn't commission AND post the art on my own page. Being much smaller, nothing I post generates discussion ever but it has proven valuable in those very rare instances of interacting with someone afterwards from either notes or over discord. Those rare instances still make posting worth it at least for me since some of those interactions have lead to making a friend.
I actually don't have any friends outside of the folks who I have met on FA, and who i keep in contact with on discord. I've lost contact with all of my old RL friends, and haven't been able to really make any new ones as I move about the country. So I value those interactions as well- it's part of why I'm so anxious for new friends; I've been super lonely as of late and have been wanting to meet new people again :)
But yeah, that aside, I do agree with you- the overall want to post stuff (and what we post) has to come from us... I think for me, my desire to 'post to meet new people' hasn't been panning out that well; the only times i've really been able to meet new people at all is when i post some sort of whiny journal like this one, lol.
Still, I guess it comes down to 'do you feel like sharing something enough with the public, more than the inevitable crap that you know is likely gonna happen afterwards' >.<
I dunno about pillowfort- It looks fine, but it also looks like it's not really that used- and FA has always been the big place to go (and also it means a lot to me since I've been on here for so long, lol).
As for longing for more internet social interaction, I myself frequent 1 or 2 discord servers, one of them furry oriented. The person who runs it is a bit of a stickler for his discord rules but I think he would be open for allowing more people in. If you do just want to chat over discord about games and stuff, feel free to discord me. I've just been very busy recently so I've been frequenting Furry websites sparingly over the past few months.
still, i'm hoping more social interaction will help! (As you pointed out!)
If you would like to chat on discord sometime, drop me a note and I would be happy to share my info with you :)
But thank you for the advice. I've learned since the original posting of this journal that not everyone really has the time to comment on stuff. It still stings a little (cause im a lonely fool lol) but it's really no one's fault.
Also, thank you for the kind words! I'm always really glad when someone says they like something I get.
I'll send a note with mine.