Follow your favorite artist on Patreon (including me 🙋🏼‍♀️)

It’s time for a little celebration, because I launched a Patreon account! For some of you this might be familiar, maybe you already support artists there. Is Patreon completely new to you? I’ll break down the how, what and why in this blog for you.

First of all: what is Patreon?

Simply put: Patreon is an online platform where you get access to exclusive content from your favorite creative maker for a small monthly fee. For example, when you support an illustrator you get to see more of their sketchbook, follow live workshops or get extra tutorial videos. It is a nice and accessible way to learn more about the creative process of artists, get drawing inspiration and to connect more personally with artists you like! Plus, it's a really nice way for independent makers to get extra support. It provides financial space to share more quality content with followers. Just like old paint masters often used to have a 'patron' who supported them in making their art!

So why did I start a Patreon account? First of all I want to build a community next to Instagram. Instagram is the main media where I share my work. I still enjoy it, but a) it takes up a lot of time and b) it feels risky to rely solely on one platform. Plus Instagram is dictating the rules of what content works best (like Reels over posts with pictures). That's why I enjoy sharing a bi-monthly newsletter and writing these blogs. I can share much more in depth information and connect with you in a way that best suits me, instead of what an algorithm prefers ;-)

Secondly I want a place that offers both you and me more possibilities for interacting, sharing inspiration and tips. Simply and honestly put? It’s not sustainable anymore to share all the tips, art process and knowledge on social media without an income to (at least partly) cover the time it takes. I know many of you enjoy seeing the process that goes into drawing and painting. And to also get the tools and inspiration to create yourselves. And I want to be able to dedicate more time to that! Every time I spend dedicated time on developing my skills, I see how much I grow. Which means I’ll have more creative knowledge to teach to you as well!

“Why would I follow you on Patreon?” If you like what I share online and find it helpful, Patreon is a great way to see more of it! I know how much we all love being creative, but we also have so many reasons why it doesn't happen as often as we'd like. I hope Patreon will be a helping hand for you to:

• make more time to draw (together);

• grow your creative skills;

• give you lots of inspiration by sharing more insight into my drawing process;

• give you even better advice about art supplies;

• have more fun and self-confidence by giving you the right tips (bye bye perfectionist ;)!

  
  

“So how does it work and what does it cost to become a Patreon?” If you become a free member, you will receive a studio update every month in which I share more about the projects I am working on and what content can be found on Patreon that month. A great way to get a feel for ​​the platform! And the great thing is: you can easily upgrade to a paid member in your account or switch back to being a free member.

Do you want to see all the content? Then you become a paid member, which I have called the 'Sketchbook Buddies'. For only €9.50 p/month + VAT* you get:

• A monthly one hour workshop on Zoom incl. the recording. And no, you don't have to get FOMO if you can't make it live 😉 The recording will be online the day after and you will have access to all previously recorded live sessions as long as you are a payed member. I deliberately alternate the days for this workshop, dates are announced at the beginning of each year.

• Exclusive content to help you draw more often! For example step by step pictures and explanations of my drawing process, video tutorials, fun book tips or tips about a specific material or subject. You can't post content yourself, but you can respond to all posts, ask questions and respond to each other's comments.

• Inspiration from my sketchbook pages (also the ones I don't share on Instagram).

• Every month there's a giveaway of art goodies amongst all Sketchbook Buddies!

• Plus: you get a 10% discount on my online courses and 5%-10% discount codes for my favorite webshops.
  

* Depending on where you live, VAT will be added to this amount. Patreon will automatically calculate this. In the Netherlands and Belgium, for example, this is 21%, and you will see a debit of €11.50 on your account.

“Can I join anytime?” Yes you can! You can become a Patreon every day of the month. You will be charged the amount for the level you choose when you join and then recurring on that same date every new month. Good to know: payment can be done by credit card or with PayPal (you don't need a credit card for PayPal, in the Netherlands you can create a PayPal account with your bank account). You can also pay with Apply Pay, but if you do this in the Patreon app, Apple charges a much higher fee. So you unnecessarily pay extra - to Apple! Best to became a member through the website to prevent this.

“Can I cancel or change my subscription anytime?” Absolutely, whenever you want! After cancellation, your subscription will stop before your next payment. You can easily adjust this yourself in your account. After canceling your monthly contribution, you will be given the option to remain a free member. This is a convenient way to stay informed about the content that I monthly share. Who knows, maybe you will see a nice tutorial a few months later that you would like to follow? Then you simply upgrade to being a paid member again. Feel free to do this whenever you want (no hard feelings if you just want to try it out for a month)!

“I don’t have the time to watch and participate in everything”

I want to emphasize to you right now: that’s okay!! I deliberately kept the price low, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have time for everything. The point is that if you do feel like drawing, the content is there for you. See it as a membership to the library! You borrow a nice book to read when you have the time. Busy month coming up? Don’t worry about all the books waiting in the library. They will be ready for you as soon as you do get around to it!

As said before: feel free to switch back to a free membership if that suits you better. But also know: sometimes procrastination also leads to cancellation... That one drawing tutorial that comes along might be just the push you need to free up time for drawing again.

“Will you share less stuff on other platforms now?” No, not really. Actually, I hope Patreon will allow me to share more! I will still write a bi-monthly newsletter (new Patreons get subscribed to the list too). I will still post and share stories on Instagram. But I do hope over time Patreon will offer enough income to spend even more time on making valuable content. More sketchbook pages to share, more tutorials to show you and for instance writing more in depth blogs, because they take a lot of time. “I already see what you make on Instagram. Why should I become a Patreon?” As a Patron you get a lot more extras! For example, if I share an illustration on Instagram, as a Patreon you also get the step-by-step photos of the drawing process or a timelapse video with in-depth tips. I share pages from my sketchbook that I don't show on Instagram. Every month you have a chance to win art supplies in the giveaway. And the most valuable thing: you get access to an online workshop of one hour every month! Normally online workshops cost more with me, so for €9.50 per month this really is a bargain 😊

Do you have any more questions about Patreon?

Feel free to send me an email!

“Sounds good, I’m in!” I would be thrilled if you decide to join me on Patreon.

CHECK OUT MY PATREON

The pictures in this blog are taken by @brandedby_hetschetsmeisje