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tailsrulz

Mark Thompson
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I wanted to take a moment to announce that today's pic will likely be the last of my regular DeviantArt uploads.

The site has become an AI hellscape as of late, and I strongly object to how user submissions were used to train their "DreamUp" AI.

And before someone says something about "opting out", the ability to "opt out" of "third party" AI datasets was a tacked-on function that is essentially a placebo. Those "third party" AIs are almost certainly going to ignore "noai" tags and continue using pictures without consent. Besides:


  • It doesn't change the fact that DA trained its "DreamUp" AI on art that was gathered without the consent or knowledge of the original artists.

  • It doesn't change the fact that DA may still be using user submissions to train its AI, as they repeatedly specify "third-party" AIs in their protections and DreamUp is presumably a "first-party" AI.

  • It doesn't change the fact that DA continues to charge users for access to stolen assets.

  • It doesn't change the fact that DA is lying through its teeth when it says it wants to protect artists and artist rights.

  • It doesn't change the fact that DA continues to commit to a product that is almost universally hated by artists.


I do not want to leave this site, as it is where I got my start, nearly 20 years ago. But this latest move is so unfathomably awful that I have no choice but to step away. It'll take a lot of work for DeviantArt to rebuild goodwill with the artist community, and honestly they may never recover from the damage they inflicted on themselves. If things get better, maybe I'll return to regular posting on this gallery. If this is the end, it's a bittersweet one. Regardless, I'd like to thank everyone here that helped shape my work into what it is today.


You can always find me elsewhere, though! I post regularly on Twitter, Patreon, and FurAffinity. I will also be starting trying out newer gallery options (Pillowfort, Pixiv, etc) and those links will be on my Twitter if/when they become active.

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Henlo everybody! Some updates!


Patreon

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/tailsrulz

New to Patreon: the Platinum tier! This new tier is oriented towards people seeking commissions and more input on my workflow. Patrons at this level have access to exclusive "priority" commission slots, a discount on commissions based on existing contributions, triple voting power, and access to a new poll that allows them to vote on randomly-selected patron art requests!


Gumroad

Store link: https://tailsrulz.gumroad.com/

I launched a Gumroad store for standalone digital sales of my high-res artwork! This is intended for people seeking out a specific HD version of one of my older pictures, which were available on Patreon at some point as a reward that has since expired. It also accepts Paypal!

NOTE: Patreon subscribers can request access to expired rewards, depending on how long they've been subscribed.


Commissions

Form link: https://forms.gle/rTFcvfutPt8DRVUq9

I have created a Google Form for filling out an "application" for a commission. This form also contains relevant information about the selection process, payment, how it'll be shared, prices, etc. With this form, I can have all of my commission information in one spot, sorted and always available.


The form can be used by ANYONE at ANYTIME, regardless of if you are a Patreon subscriber or if I have made an announcement that I will open up commission slots soon.

That being said, I should be opening commission slots within the next month. I will be taking 3-5 slots, with Platinum tier subscribers having exclusive access to 1-2 of those slots.

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Some big announcements today!

Ever since my beginnings in 2003, I have always enjoyed posting artwork. As the years have gone on, real-life commitments have made it difficult to finish pictures, though I've never stopped sketching. Recently, I've had more free time amid a slowdown in work, and an overarching dread that I was going to be laid off. I returned to digital art to "stay sharp" in case something happened, and sure enough, I was finally let go last month. The layoff, combined with medical bills from a recent diagnosis, have given me the push I need to fully delve back into the art scene and get back into a steady rhythm. With my income now limited and bills to pay, I'm going to try falling back on my artwork and getting by with that, with the help of my supporters.


Patreon

If you'd like to help support what I do, I've set up a Patreon!

Features include Discord server access, higher-res .PNG/.PSD files of finished works with less watermarks, special variations of my work, early access to what I'm working on and what I've finished, the ability to participate in polls that decide what I work on, and plenty more! More features will be added as I gain more patrons (check the goals).


November subscribers will be noted and get a special "Founder" tag in Discord. [Fixed link]

https://www.patreon.com/tailsrulz


Etsy

Physical merchandise is available, too! I've put my Art CDs and prints back on sale, after a years-long hiatus.


Until the end of November, get 30% off when buying any 3 items. Free US shipping on orders $35 or more.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VulpineStudios


Commissions

I will likely be opening up to commissions some time soon. Also, I will automatically open up some slots to Patreon subscribers when I reach 200/400 patrons as a thank-you for their support.


Any support helps! Thank you for following me for all of these years!

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Twitter usage

1 min read

Oh wow I really don't like this new interface... been used to seeing the same thing for 17 years.


https://www.twitter.com/tailsrulz


But anyway, I'm reviving my dormant Twitter account for those who might be interested. I don't particularly -like- Twitter but I understand that it has been getting heavier usage by artists as of late so I'll be posting finished pics and some WIPs up on there. So, feel free to follow me on there if you use it.


I have plenty of sketches I can do lineart on, some are even already up to flats. I just need to, you know, finish them.

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After yesterday's post, I'm going to hopefully remain active with my work. Here's some current plans:

Official Discord
Though it seems like I haven't done anything in years if you go by my FA/DA, I've been showing little WIPs and sketches here and there with friends on places like Discord all the while. I've decided to bring these WIPs to a wider audience by using a Discord channel to share my work. This official Vulpine Studios channel allows general discussion and image sharing (memes and artwork alike), as well as a place for me to share sketches, in-progress shots, and finished work. Other artists can share their work as well. I'll also make announcements about streaming there, annnnd I also might get a Minecraft server set up for people to play on!

Invite link here  (limited space)
Make sure you read and follow the rules after joining.

Character ref sheets
I've dragged my feet on this for years but soon I plan to put up 'canon' ref sheets for my own characters, which would also be helpful for myself.

Commission Availability
People been askin' about it for a while! I want to get 2-3 more pictures done in a timely manner before I take commissions, though. Gotta get back into a rhythm and get some confidence back. I feel very guilty when I take too long on a commission.

Patreon?
This move would be a bit farther down the line. I'm still hesitant about using Patreon for artwork, due to the pressure of having to get work done consistently and quickly. I could see there being a setup where "tamer" works are posted to DA/FA and the more explicit versions are posted on Patreon, and those versions would be in a higher resolution.
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Patreon, Etsy, and Commissions by tailsrulz, journal

New Discord server! And future plans by tailsrulz, journal

Updates by tailsrulz, journal

Furum updated and live by tailsrulz, journal

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