Have You Heard Of Patreon?

Thanks for posting this Jessica. It was interesting to watch the videos and look at some of the work and sponsorship that has taken place.

How does it really work? What does the patron get for it? Isn't it better if they (patrons/clients) buy our work? Pleasure for both?

It's more for fans of your work, who want to help you do more can chip in, it would seem. That doesn't mean you can't continue selling your work; this might just help things along. Exmple, an artist creates a web series but lacks sufficent programming to format it correctly. Fans of the comic could chip in a smll amount to help the artist on their way to getting the better program.

Top of mind reaction - Seems there are enough free tools available for someone to do just about anything these days. Why not just offer your services as a freelance designer?

Here's a couple of threads we've had on it in the past.

http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2264663

http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=1946525

I think the only way Patreon can work for an artist is if he or she were to offer up something with continuity, like a comic series or animation series, to keep supporters interested. I'm not sure how it would work for fine art/illustrative artists, but a series of paintings on a subject people like might work. But it seems to me that you'd have to keep producing new product on a regular basis and offer free gifts and stuff to make it worthwhile for your patrons. Which is not a bad system, to my way of thinking.