IMPORTANT! Policy, schedule, and other changes. (Patreon)

Edit: Added #8, as shown below

Hi folks! 

In the wake of my computer system failure, and a really jarring blow to my productive rhythm, I’ve decided to take advantage of the system shock to roll out some big changes in both my policies and Patreon management that I’ve needed to institute for some time now. Below is a list of the changes, underneath which is a longer, more detailed look at what each one means:

1. Fewer Priority Commissions Available
2. More Stream Commissions Available
3. Patreon Scheduling
4. Commission Prices
5. Patreon Tiers/Policy Language Changes
6. Payment Methods
7. Tipping Policy
8. Addition of Patreon-Only Streams

Fewer Priority Commissions Available:  I currently have 60+ patreons signed up on my $15+ Priority Commission Access tiers. Originally, these were meant to be a guaranteed, high end commission slot for fans with big projects in mind, or for those without the time to attend a normal stream. Now, with so many requests coming in each month, it is no longer feasible for me to attempt to take on even the majority of them. I will be refocusing these commissions to be geared towards high end, complex, ambitious projects and the clients who commission them.

I understand that this may cause some patrons to alter their pledges. I sympathize entirely, and thank you for your support, continued or otherwise.

More Stream Commissions Available:  I work best when the idea is fresh in my mind. If I accept a commission from a form, it usually sits in my mind for a week, or lately with my tardiness, a month or more. By that time, no matter how good the idea is, I’m usually daunted by it, anxious, and no longer eager to work on the project. To avoid this, and refocus myself on my favorite way to do quick, fun, public commissions, I’ll be offering more commissions via my public streams, announced on my telegram channel, this patreon, and on twitter. The goal is to achieve about 50% of my commission time spent on Priority Commissions, and 50% spent on stream commissions.

Patreon Scheduling:  I am finally reversing a scheduling issue that’s bothered me since the launch of this Patreon format - Patreon-Only Illustrations will now be completed first thing every month, so that nobody feels cheated, and everyone has time to cancel after I post the month’s Illustration. I will be opening for Priority Commissions and working on the month’s Patreon Illustration simultaneously, starting on the business day on, or following closest to the 1st of each month. Then, I will complete the Priority Commissions I accept during that time, leaving the rest of the month for stream commissions.

Commission Prices: I raised my prices last month experimentally. This has had no noticeable effect on my demand, so the pricing changes will remain in effect.

Patreon Tiers/Policy Language Changes: It will take me some time to update all of my TOS, Patreon pages, etc to reflect this post. Please regard this post as official, current policy as of 10/21/2020, and note that any information elsewhere that contradicts the information in this post should be considered incorrect.

Payment Methods: All commissions will be paid for via Paypal Invoices, rather than Paypal.me links.

Tipping Policy: Previously, I had allowed all clients to tip as much as they desired, promising to increase the quality of the work to match their tip. This, unfortunately, has become troublesome, as some particularly generous tips exceeded the value of the commission itself, if not doubling it. Please understand that I accept commissions and schedule time to complete them simultaneously, before payment is completed. Since this doesn’t allow me to account for the need to double, if not triple my time spent on a commission, I will no longer be able to adhere to this policy. From here forward, all tips will be appreciated and will add polish and a bit of extra care and love, according to the value of the tip. However, I will no longer add additional processes to the image (i.e. upgrading a flats-only opening to full color, adding cel shading, or adding a background when none is offered). My openings reflect the time available in my schedule, and allowing customers to order extravagant pieces when my schedule does not have room for them, or they come as a surprise, has landed me in hot water with time management crises on several occasions. As stated above, all payments will be in the form of Paypal Invoices, and a separate field to add a tip will be available on all such invoices.

Patreon-Only Streams: I'll be streaming my work on my monthly Illustrations. These streams (due to the content on them) will be available to all $6+ patrons. Links will be shared here!

Thank you all for your time and support! I appreciate you all.

Cheers,

 - Kihu