Fanart Vote Updates

Phew, this post has been a long time coming but I couldn't avoid it forever!

This stuff mainly pertains to the $7 and $10 crowd, but if you're a $3er it's still worth skimming as it details the content you'll be receiving going forward.

Short version:

• No fanart vote in June. I'm really sorry, I'm still catching up!
• Starting in July, Vote 1: The same format we've already been using - every month, $10s submit characters, $7s and $10s vote. One main winner, full colour. Two runner-ups using YCH bases (such as the Bunnybusts/Xmas mummies - more to be created over time).
• Starting in August and then every other month (Aug, Oct, Dec), in addition to V1, Vote 2: "Wossa's Waifus": $10s vote on a lineup selected by myself. One winner, full colour.
• I'll also be leaning more heavily into Themes for the votes as I feel they encourage more character variety and interesting ideas presented, which in turn helps fuel my own creativity and make better pictures.

The Fanart Vote Schedule for the remainder of 2020 looks like this: 

June: No vote.
July: Standard vote.
August: Standard vote and "WW" vote.
September: Standard vote.
October: Standard vote and "WW" vote.
November: Standard vote.
December: Standard vote and "WW" vote.

We'll see how that goes and review in 2021. Thanks for your support! 

Long version:
I've pinpointed two main problems to address, and then detailed the thought process that has led to the solutions that will come into action in July and August. It's a bit rambling, robotic and weird to transcribe arguments being had with myself, but transparency is key!

Problem #1:
Problem: I often create a heavier workload by insisting on spending extra time doing Bonus Runner Ups, and/or polishing and colouring the 3rd and 2nd place winners because I feel bad about having to simplify potentially fun concepts to fit the self-imposed limitations on scenario complexity ("that's a fun idea but it's not really possible to depict in a simple 3rd place gag bust"), plus leaving pics 'unfinished' without colour and shading etc. I also suspect that Patrons who submit characters are disappointed when their character lands 3rd/2nd because it means they're going to get a half-baked picture AND that character gets placed on a cooldown timer, so they're left with a bitter feeling of "you didn't get what you wanted AND you can't try her again next month".
Proposal: Scrap the Runner Ups, One winner.
Flaw: If a Patron was already wary of submitting because "my chosen character probably won't win anyway", taking away the possibility of even saying "well, she won't win 1st but maybe she could snag 3rd" makes getting involved seem like an even worse proposition.
Counter: As discussed above, 3rd&2nd seem to be more trouble than they're worth. They're either timesinks or creatively stifling, and leave a lingering sense of "what if she'd placed higher?" for everyone involved.
Thought: The "Your Character Here" style "Bonus runner up" pics (Bunnybusts and Xmas Mummies) are always well-received. Since the scenario and body are already predetermined, drawing just the remaining head can be done quickly and efficiently, with pleasing results. I like that they're always in colour, too - sometimes it feels like a Bunnybust is actually a bigger win than an uncoloured 3rd place gag bust.
Suggestion: Create a couple more YCH bases like "straitjacket", "sleepsack" etc.

Problem #2:
Problem: I keep falling behind on Vote Winners pics because it's hard to keep up motivation and quality when I have no personal attachment to the majority of the winning characters. I know it's unprofessional to complain about this - a job's a job and I should be thrilled to have this opportunity, but I feel that the quality of my work is proportional to the amount of fun I have making it. When I'm uninterested, the work suffers and I'm left unsatisfied with the final piece, which then makes me feel like I've let everyone down.
Proposal: The character lineup is chosen from my own pool of "Wossa's Waifus", ensuring that I'm happy with whoever wins.
Flaw: If this were to replace the main vote, this would be taking away a reward from the $10 crowd.
Counter: Only 6% of eligible Patrons are submitting characters anyway, so it's not a particularly valued reward to 94% of Patrons.
Reason: The most frequent reasons given are A. "There's nobody I particularly want to see, I just want to see art from Wossa" and B. "I have a character I want to see, but they're so obscure that I know they won't win a popularity contest".
Claim: "Wossa's Waifus" takes care of A, and could potentially be beneficial for B's fans of obscure characters, since, while they won't be choosing the characters themselves, my lists may be less likely to include as many 'obvious winners'.
Clarification: The above is moot as I'm not gonna cancel the main vote anyway, as I think the new reward scheme decided in Problem #1 will be fine. So this "WW" vote must be additional.
Query: Since the main vote isn't actually going away, isn't it dumb to be making a second one? Doing two votes every month will lead to burnout again.
Amendment: "WW" takes place every other month. Aug, Oct, Dec, and so on. This should be managable.

Solution Summaries:
Vote 1: Resumes in July. Continues as standard - $10 submits characters, $7 and $10 vote. One main winner to receive a full colour picture as usual. 2nd and 3rd receive a YCH.
Vote 2: Begins in August, in addition to Vote 1. Character lineup is decided by myself. $10 vote. One main winner to receive a full colour picture. YCHs for Runner Ups unlikely but we'll see. This one will be every other month (Aug, Oct, Dec, and so on) to make sure I'm not just creating new problems for myself.
Additional note: Themes encourage more character variety and interesting ideas. More themes!

So to repeat: the Fanart Vote Schedule for the remainder of 2020 looks like this:

June: No vote.
July: Standard vote.
August: Standard vote and "WW" vote.
September: Standard vote.
October: Standard vote and "WW" vote.
November: Standard vote.
December: Standard vote and "WW" vote.

We'll see how that goes and review in 2021. Thanks for your support!