Big changes coming in 2026!
Hey folks!
As mentioned in a previous post, some very important changes are coming to my Patreon starting next month.
I was able to secure a part-time job in the STL miniatures production, as an Art Director/Lead Artist, for another company.
I've been working on and off their projects and monthly releases for the past 5-6 months, and things have been going really well for me there.
Over the past two years, I've been entertaining the idea of joining a team. Working all by myself on my own range of printable miniatures since 2019 was absolutely thrilling and liberating at first, but ended up becoming yet another treadmill "job" that just never ends.
A lot of online creative businesses go through that. I think of Youtubers and Streamers, but Patreon creators are no different in that regard.
This is a general sentiment in most STL creators. Some have already given up and thrown the towel, some are thinking of it, others have willingly decreased the quality of their products just to churn them out and find no joy in it anymore, etc. you name it. I've met them personally last summer, and morale wasn't high.
Working on my own stuff, all by myself, without a fixed salary and declining numbers got gradually harder and harder, and I had to pause my billing cycle more and more often.
If you add to that the pretty debilitating personal issues and setbacks I've been having since 2023, you get a train that's running out of steam. Put simply, it wasn't gonna last much longer and I needed of way out of that situation.
Now, what does all of that mean for my Patreon? Well, basically, it means less stuff per release. I have decided to turn what has been my full-time job for the past 7 years into a simple side hustle.
I don't wanna make small simple chaff units anymore. Every other manufacturer already has them anyway. You can expect more personal creations from this point onward, but I'll only have time to release one single mini per month. (Think mid-sized to big stuff, here, Rat Ogres, Daemon Princes, etc.)
They should still be very compatible with what I've been releasing these past 3-4 years, but I won't try to meet demands. I'll do what I wanna do.
My situation has evolved, and these changes have to happen.
So no worries, I'll keep making my own minis and grow my range, but the FULL CUBROLL tier has run its course, and it needs to go. All new content will now be distributed through a discounted CUBROLL tier, so y'all gonna need to down your pledges ^^
I'll give you all the details in a future post.
Best,
Manu
Comments (20)
I'm honestly really excited to hear you say everything you're saying in this post. • less chaffe units, more big stuff — hell yeah • more of specifically what you want to make as an artist — hell yeah • a better career direction that serves and supports you better — hell yeah all very exciting stuff. Can't wait to see it unfold.
Thanks :D Still a few things to iron out as I'm transitioning to it all, but hopefully everything should be back on track soon ^^
I love your style and can't wait to see what comes next! I use your models for skirmish games and loved painting one of your rat ogres recently.
Thanks :D What Skirmish games to you use my models in, just out of curiosity? ^^ What Rat Ogre have you painted? Can we see the paintjob somewhere :)?
Really happy for you if your work is good ! Mental health and work are really tighly linked and having something safe as a creative must be such a relief. As an aside I'm super sad you won't be doing skaven chaff unit as its my absolute favorite kind of miniature xD Jumping to cubroll to continue to support you nonetheless :)
Thanks a lot for the kind words and the continued support ^^ Don't worry, though, the Ratfolks aren't going anywhere ;) I'll keep making more stuff around that theme, but you may expect bigger minis ^^ If not, I'll make sure to throw in at least another giant rat in the mix, for good measure ;)
As a side gig developer myself, I can totally relate. I'll jump in on the Cubroll to support that.
Thanks a bunch for the support :D Yea, building your own thing is just exhausting after some time. What is it that you do exactly, if you don't mind me asking ^^ ?
Glad to hear you've found a new equilibrium - and that you'll still be making models, especially ones that are inspired. Happy to hear any details about the new gig, too, if you're able to share now/later, since I'm a fan of your sculpting.
Hey Barry! Thanks for the kind words :) Yea, I'm not going anywhere, I'll just spread my production more evenly over time ;) I'll talk with the guys over at this company to know what is okay to share around here ^^ I don't think they'll mind too much ;)
I'm a big fan of your personal style. The volume was never what I was personally after, and I'll be very happy to get a single model made with your passion and inspiration than a thousand models without it.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Leo :D I know the largest chunk of my subscribers and followers shares that sentiment, and I'm very lucky I was able to build an audience that resembles me ^^ You've all been very supportive and I cannot thank you enough for this :)
most important thing is that you make the best decision for yourself dude. I hope the new job gives you security, fulfillment and puts you in a better position to look after yourself and do the things you love.
Hey man! Yea, it's definitely the best decision I can take, and I'm glad I was even able to take it in the first place. I'm lucky as hell, here ^^
I am happy you have gotten into a job that you enjoy. Hope the company treats you well. Its sad to hear that you have had to struggle to get through, and that so many artist are still suffering to live off their art. I wish the best for you and have enjoyed your work. I would love to see a live season of you working, YouTube style or video of your work flow. It always interests me. I wish the best for you, Sean
Hey man! Long time not talked ^^ Yea, the new job is pretty great. I think I have reached a point where I have proven myself as a competent designer and sculptor, and I have a lot of creative freedom in this company. My job consists mostly in 3D sketching and training a pretty big team of younger sculptors in all aspects of miniature design. Really cannot complain and I consider myself very lucky. Without it, I would be as stuck as almost everybody else, and would've just quit after some time. Are you still interested in live sculpting sessions in front of your students? If yes, drop me a dm somewhere, I'll be happy to help ;)
I fully agree and quite happy with some stability you are finding in the industry, your minis are anyway amazing and I'm pretty sure that you'll continue your lineup with a decent ones. Keep on keeping on
Thanks a lot man :D This whole 3D printing space is pretty brutal at times, and I'm lucky I was able to bounce back, somehow ^^
I'm so glad you've found some stability and that your energy is renewed. I completely understand what you're saying and I'll be following everything you do. All the best and good luck on your new path :)
Yea, overall instability makes it hard to function normally for me now. And, I mean, I started this whole thing 7 years ago. Chaos kinda loses its appeal after you reach a certain age, I guess ^^ Like I said, very liberating at first, but it becomes something else after some time. In any case, thanks a bunch for the kind words and support, man ^^