Short version: I have some cool updates, but I need to raise prices for most of my tiers; current members will remain locked at the price they pledged. This will allow me to refocus my efforts and justify this Patreon's existence as it continues to scale. Please read the last four paragraphs for more detailed information and the mentality behind this.
It's the end of the month, so it's time for one last update before June (unless it's already the 1st where you live, but it's a bit after 5 p.m. here, so it's close enough). When I had free time, I spent most of the last few days working on image sets, two of which I did for fun and two that were requested. As a quick aside, this is, once again, easily the largest month in terms of content (the Mega folder I have shows over 2,700 images for May; April had 1752 images).
Moving on, while I spent most of my time prepping image sets and some upcoming models I'll be testing and posting images of soon, I also created a handful of new models. 2 of these (Percy and Hayato) were done for a Fiverr commission; as mentioned before, I have (likely permanently) paused Fiverr so I can focus exclusively on Patreon/your requests. The two that most of you will likely care more about are Himiko Toga (from My Hero Academia, a commission for a Patreon member) and what I've dubbed the pinned sex pose model. This latter model allows me to make images of a man putting his hand on a woman during sex from behind (consensually, of course!) more easily and consistently.
As stated before, I feel like I've been spreading myself too thin, so I'm aiming to return to basics while also trying to innovate and develop skills beyond the scope of what I'm currently doing on Patreon. This means that I'll focus more on commissioned image sets and less on commissioned models. While I, of course, will not stop producing commissioned models, the focus will now shift more back to producing images/image set productions, as opposed to something like a 75-25 split or so in favor of models to image sets; the idea is to reverse this to be the opposite, as I have now paused one of the main sources for model production (again, Fiverr).
As one final aside, I'd like to go over my plans for June. Firstly, as stated, I'll be focusing more on making image sets rather than chunks of random images per character; the idea is to have 30 images per character); the Himiko model will be part of an MHA girl image set of the seven MHA girls I've currently made models for. I'll aim to go down the list and thin this request list out as soon as possible; the goal is to ensure that the image set request list stays thin so I can continue to work on other projects.
Beyond commissions, I hope to continue to do more stuff I'd like to do. I still need to return to the Nozomi doujinshi, but taking care of commissions comes first. Of course, there are also countless characters I'd like to make images/more images of, so I'll plan to do image sets of some of my favorite girls along the way.
I am also planning to make an updated version of my Emi Erokuro character model (the mascot for MetalchromeX). Related to Emi, I'll release an image set of her (version 1 model) early next month to everyone. Something that is amazing to me is that the creative community has really taken to her! The free image set will include over 460 images, with over 370 of these being "guest" images from over 40 creators! An idea has also been thrown around by one of my online buddies who is learning Ren'Py (a visual novel game engine) to create a short Emi Erokuro visual novel (I suggested a comedic slice-of-life storyline with, of course, sex scenes and the like). When/if this is released, the intention is to release it for free (with links to Patreon/donations suggested).
Finally, and this is me being brutally transparent and honest, I'm finding myself being forced to figure out how to improve the structure of this Patreon moving forward. We are currently at 700 members, 100 of them are paid (it is very common for Patreon pages to have substantially more free members than paid). I will be making some changes to tier pricing. Let me explain in the next few paragraphs, but let me make it clear: current Patreon members will remain at and not be subjected to a price jump on the (now hidden) tiers they're currently on; this means that if you stay at the tier you are on, you will remain locked in this tier.
If I can be honest, I'm starting to feel a bit burnt out from the current amount of requests and am struggling to keep up with them due to, to paraphrase the words of many who've spoken to me, going above and beyond. Most other creators take character models other people have made (from people like me) and make image sets from them; many of these creators also make substantially more than I do (many well over 10x, a few I know make 25x) while not making the models themselves. Even with an assistant, the demand is overwhelming at the current price point, and we're spending a substantial amount of time creating models, which has left me with less time than I'd like to create image sets properly. Popular creators are largely doing the same thing as me and putting out (at least in my opinion) comparable content, while (to the best of my knowledge) not making custom character models and (possibly) even using some of the ones I've made. I will not list any names here, as I don't want to put anyone under the microscope, but there is a good chance you know the name of at least one of these that I know for a fact have used my models. So, while I'm not mad and respect these creators, it feels almost like a losing battle to keep doing what I'm doing and still expect to keep a high level of enthusiasm doing more work for less pay than others.
Therefore, I've decided I simply must increase my prices and change the scope of what I'm doing. Like many other creators, I'll also be capping image set requests to one a month with 30 images for a character. This will ensure that I am better motivated and help me focus better and not be all over the place like I've been in the past. I will also raise the image set commission tier to $25 and the custom model commission tier to $50. I still think this is a very reasonable price and is still par with what other creators are doing (many don't even offer custom model tiers to begin with). I should also add that I plan to regularly hold polls for all Patreon members, regardless of the tier level (or even free), for characters that aren't commissioned that have been suggested (or I just want to do).
I've largely been able to balance demand because I currently work a desk job from 9-6 that I can multitask and produce content for while not working with clientele. Since I've just recently graduated from college, it's unclear what my next career steps will lead me to, but I likely won't be able to continue to sit at my desk from home, working remotely moving forward. Raising prices will ensure that I can continue justifying this Patreon's existence in this situation. I understand this may be frustrating, but I hope you can understand my decision. Thank you.
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Shizuka Mikazuki and Beatrix Amerhauser (Zom100, commission): https://mega.nz/folder/6cgChShT#S9uQi94gKjIxG2xP_hxtCg
Hex (Jormungand): https://mega.nz/folder/6AQ3kJTa#b7j61clsKhHUzsIsfOf--Q
Tomo-chan is a Girl! images: https://mega.nz/folder/nRYmXKSD#aP2npBGmVmL9jLvkJG-bgQ
Mami Tomoe images: https://mega.nz/folder/PNomSB6R#lb5uFiA42cJ4Edw8uow-EA
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Himiko Toga (My Hero Academia) - Commission!
Percy (Fire Emblem: Fates) - Commission!
Hayato (Fire Emblem: Fates) - Commission!
Pinned sex pose
Safe-for-Work phone wallpaper images (Yor Forger and others)
Aika Natsukawa (The Dreamy Boy is Realistic)
Noelle Silva (timeskip, Black Clover)
Faye Valentine group images (Cowboy Bebop)
More My Hero Academia Girls (Momo, Uchaka, etc.)
Yukina Himeragi (Strike the Blood)
More Mitsuri Kanroji kimono pinups
Tanya Degurechaff (Isekai Quartet)
The Ant King, pre-shadow Beru (Solo Leveling, chapters 98-104)
Girls from Imaria
Lusterise (Kouyoku Senki ExS-TiA)
Sindri (T3 Arena)
Tickle Komori, Chiko, and Miss Hanamura (Majokko Tickle)
Oboro (Fire Emblem Fates)
クール教信者 (artist's style model)
Multiple girls from Dragonar Academy (Eco, Lucca, etc.)
Multiple girls from the filler episodes of Naruto (Shiseru, Sana, Saya, etc.)
Waguri Kaoruko from The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
This is a preemptive commission; I will do this when the anime airs in July.
More Gundam characters (Marida Cruz, etc.)
All characters from Toshi Densetsu Series; Alice and Sadoka are done already.
Blanchette and Alice (Otogibanashi no Onigokko)