Will be streaming today with Yumi to talk some more about this!
Remember how I ended the last update with "It's a bit scary to be sharing more personal things because like... if things don't work out I feel like I'm disappointing everyone lmao," yeah things didn't work out!!!!! <: )
I unfortunately haven't been able to move out yet!!! Primary reason being money. Long story short, since March I have been in a huge debt because of my family, so I wasn't able to have much savings at all and when the time came for the school to look at my finances yeah... Having months where your balance ends at $0,000.00 is not very good look!
Out of all my income roughly every month I had to put aside $1,000 for this debt (basically the Patreon money was used for that, I can't stress how bad it had been fucking me up!!!!), which frustratingly had me backed against a wall, taking as much work as I can has been the only way to deal with things.
Thankfully it's not aaaaaall bad news, as I got some external help and the debt is fully covered as of like, last week, reason why I'm finally feeling somewhat better updating on my current situation... I'm extremely grateful I could get support in that regard , as it has been a huge drainer to have that looming over me at all times.
It has been hell to take on more work than I am capable of keeping up with, but this is why this entire year the updates on commissions have been very slow. I apologize for it and thank you all for your patience. I'm trying to focus on one at a time so when I get to yours I can keep consistently updating you regularly from that point forwards.
I am currently about 1/4th of the money goal, aiming to reach the half point in July...
This is the main reason you have seen me branch out more recently and trying new things (Streaming, Vtuber models, other stuff I haven't revealed yet (keep reading for more lol)).
With the world not being in the best state, even if shipping to America has resumed, merchandise isn't very feasible now besides stickers (Sticker Club will get a big update in the following weeks, thank you for your patience). Acrylic products I feel I already did all if not most of what I could with it lol, so not much coming up with that either, but its not out of the cards.
I have been trying to incorporate more analog work as of late since it's easier, and much more fun to do, which leads to a more enjoyable and constant output. Still tinkering on how to mix both digital and traditional, but its all with the intent of trying to go back to regular schedule that isn't just commission work.
Once more, for transparency's sake, I would like to further elaborate on things that have been slowly brewing in the background. The mentioned projects in particular I am actively aiming for a somewhat soonish release, rather than a "lol well see when I get to it!!!".
I have been asked about it, but yes, I haven't forgotten about Taifau Cafe and it still is being actively being worked on at a snail's pace. I am not happy at all with how hard of a stop it got after the first chapter, it's been 2 years! I'm embarrassed that it is still on hold. In an attempt to change that I am planning to change the intended release schedule.
Instead of waiting for the entire thing to be done, I will instead start releasing pages on a weekly basis. The initial plan is to share pages 1-6 at once, while 7 onwards will be on the aforementioned schedule. The first 6 pages function as a sort of link in-between chapters, so that's why I'm fine releasing it that way.
Candy Apple is a gag comic that Yumi and I have been coming up with. It is meant to be structured as a 4-koma and once again, nothing ambitious, just short jokes or nice little moments. Likewise I would like to have a weekly schedule release with it for as long as I can keep it going, due to the nature of it, I don't think it should be a lot of trouble to actually be up to date... And again, it's a way for me to be able to at the very least share something with you guys at least once a week. As long as the ideas keep coming, it feels sustainable.
Very short, small games have also been on the cards. Halted for many reasons, either me not having the time to create assets, the other person not having the time for it. In short, time tends to be the culprit more often than not.
While these are just mockups that I drafted up just to explain what I imagine/layouts, the top one is functional! At least the base of it lol.
There are other ideas sketched out as well, it's just that these 2 happen to be in the most "presentable" state lol. We don't want to create huge ambitious things, just small bite sized things to know that well, we can actually make something lol.
And finally miscellaneous stuff. I don't really have anything to share here in the terms of images unfortunately, so you will have to just use your imagination and believe me lol.
Now that I finally am somewhat tapping into Live2D due to the nature of Vtuber models, I am also working on making new drawings that come with animated versions. You know just small loops of the characters looking around or whatever. I say that I don't have anything to share here since well, at the moment nothing besides the model is being rigged, (I am not the person who is using Live2D, its a friend who is) I believe that the Golden Week picture is being used as an example on how my drawings could be made to move, probably nothing crazy since it isn't super chopped to pieces nor designed to be used in that way... but new pictures with that functionality in mind is something that I'm actively working on to have ready for the near future. If the process goes smoothly for both parties animated R18 loops could be in the cards, too. We will see.
An R18 comic is fully roughed out, too. I will not go into details yet, but the character featured may or not surprise you...
All of this being said, would you guys be interested in further development of any of these ideas? Or is there anything else that you guys may want me to take a shot at .
Yumi has suggested the idea of doing a donothon stream to both give the space to be able to work on all of these things but also of course, to be able to finally be able to move out and live together. Never wanted to be in a position to do something like this, but I feel it may be mutually beneficial? I can work to deliver things to you guys that you (hopefully) actually WANT lol, so I figured it may not hurt to just ask and gauge interest.
We have come up with a few goals/incentives that I think may sound interesting, you can let me know if that is indeed the case, or again if there is other things you would prefer, if at all:
Twitch donators/patrons all get to collectively request a picture together. Not the usual poll stuff where all the details are left to me, YOU guys get to decide who to draw, characters, scenario, pose, etc.
Same as the prior point, but for an animated wallpaper instead of just a regular illustration.
Finally be able to get live sketches outside of the cursed Tier 4 (People in that tier, please check your DMs, actually!)
Top donators getting exclusive stuff, like picking any original drawing you may want (you know, the ones I refuse to sell lol...) and/or exclusive stuff, like collab work between Yumi and I that got sold in limited quantities, can badges and shirts mainly, you may remember the detective Krea & Jack stuff.
If goals are full met, to fully commit to do one of the game ideas... There's a few, so you will get to pick which one you want to see done the most. If you guys are interested in hearing more about those games in general I will try to draft things out to show them at a later time.
Commit to focusing entirely on the R18 comic if the goal for it is met lol.
A lot of details are still up in the air and up for discussion. If any of this interests you, or have opinions of your own you can let me know, would love to hear your thoughts!
I added a poll to gauge interest if you guys would like to see the donothon happen or not. Likewise I also added the options of what future projects you would like to see more of, hence the multiple choices allowed. I hope it isn't confusing lol.
If you read this far, thank you! I know it was a lot. Thank you for your support, you have made this entire ordeal with the debt manageable, I'm forever grateful. 🙇🙇🙇