[23-Nov-21 07:36 PM] Jeshields#7002
Hey, friends!
My name is James Shields, but I do business in this community as Jeshields.

[23-Nov-21 07:37 PM] Jeshields#7002
I have been a freelance artist for independent RPG publishers for almost 8 years and almost from the beginning, I have had a desire to give back to the creators who made my favorite past-time (roleplaying) into a reality.

[23-Nov-21 07:39 PM] Jeshields#7002
I know that this is primarily a hobby community and some of the best writers don’t have an art budget to match the quality of their work, and unfortunately, many consumers DO judge a book by its covers.

[23-Nov-21 07:41 PM] Jeshields#7002
My first answer was to just offer affordable (okay, at the time, that word meant cheap) rates to my clients, but trying to provide for a family of six is difficult when you don’t make much, so I turned to crowdfunding as a way to meet publishers in the middle. I could create stock art based off of their ideas and they didn’t necessarily have to commission an artist outright.

[23-Nov-21 07:42 PM] Jeshields#7002
I now run https://Patreon.com/Jeshields where I provide monthly illustrations and also credit to be redeemed at https://Jeshields.com, which is my stock art store.

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeshields/uncommon-monstrosities

[23-Nov-21 07:43 PM] Jeshields#7002
All of these things allowed me to grow as a creator and establish many wonderful relationships in this community and somewhere along the line, I started hitting certain goals and milestones, and really started feeling like a professional.

[23-Nov-21 07:44 PM] Jeshields#7002
Several months ago, I hit another milestone.

[23-Nov-21 07:46 PM] Jeshields#7002
A 3D artist by the name of Dionizio Rodriguez reached out to me and asked permission to model my 2D illustrations. I had heard of this happening to other artists in other industries, but I never thought I’d see it happen to me. I was under the impression that he just wanted to practice his skill or build his portfolio, and I have always been very loose with the licenses to my artwork, so I told him sure and made my artwork available.

[23-Nov-21 07:48 PM] Jeshields#7002
Later, he returned and asked for permission to sell the models and I knew then that it was time to talk more seriously. I quickly realized that he was trying to build a stock of miniatures to make available for sale in hopes that the eventual income would justify the work. As a stock artist, I know that doesn’t work and to save him the heartache, I suggested turning to Kickstarter.

[23-Nov-21 07:50 PM] Jeshields#7002
This is the reason I am here today, to promote our collaborative effort to bring unique monsters to the tabletop experience.
I am here to introduce Uncommon Monstrosities –> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeshields/uncommon-monstrosities?ref=510was

[23-Nov-21 07:50 PM] Jeshields#7002
(done)

[23-Nov-21 07:51 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Thanks, @Jeshields! The floor is open to questions!

[23-Nov-21 07:53 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
What are the themes of this particular set of art works?

[23-Nov-21 07:55 PM] Jeshields#7002
The theme is entirely fantasy. Entirely concepts from my creatures. Entirely either A) a brand new monster, or B) a unique approach to a classic creature.

[23-Nov-21 07:56 PM] Jeshields#7002
I continue to be amazed at the people who love my Tortle Dove. You’re not going to find this anywhere else.

[23-Nov-21 07:56 PM] Jeshields#7002

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https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/912884314088296498/Bundle_KS_CAMPAIGN_7.jpeg

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[23-Nov-21 07:57 PM] Jeshields#7002
I am particularly proud of my rendition of the Rust Monster. I love both the original illustration but also couldn’t be happier with the printed result.

[23-Nov-21 07:57 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
What’s the story behind th eTortle Dove? (And yes, that’s very cool. 🙂 )

[23-Nov-21 07:58 PM] Jeshields#7002

{Attachments}
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/912884805614575616/RustEater.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/912884805849452644/Bundle_KS_CAMPAIGN_11.jpeg

[23-Nov-21 07:59 PM] Jeshields#7002
Ha! The story behind the Tortle Dove goes back to my way of giving back to creators and my Patreon.

[23-Nov-21 07:59 PM] Jeshields#7002
My patrons ask for some of the craziest (and fun) ideas. About a year ago, I decided to do the 12 days of Stock Art Christmas.

[23-Nov-21 08:00 PM] Jeshields#7002
One of the patrons suggested that on day 2, I draw two Tortle Doves… and thus they were born.

[23-Nov-21 08:04 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Nice. 🙂

[23-Nov-21 08:05 PM] Jeshields#7002
One of the other things we are doing that is not typical of most projects like this is offering 2 commercial levels.

[23-Nov-21 08:05 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
How does that work?

[23-Nov-21 08:06 PM] Sir Paradox#2985
This is very cool

[23-Nov-21 08:07 PM] Jeshields#7002
Well, one of the commercial levels has been done before. The base commercial level allows the backer to print and sell the miniatures and/or include the STL files in their commercial project. They are not allowed to sell them individually, of course, but may use it to enhance their own game.

[23-Nov-21 08:08 PM] Jeshields#7002
The other commercial level gives access to the majority of the stock illustrations that inspired the creation in the first place. I have never seen that done before and is an example of how I am always looking for one additional way to give back.

[23-Nov-21 08:08 PM] Jeshields#7002
Thank you @Sir Paradox

[23-Nov-21 08:09 PM] Sir Paradox#2985
You are very welcome

[23-Nov-21 08:12 PM] Jeshields#7002
As I have done with many other crowd-funded project, the majority of what we create we will be based on backer input. I have a tremendous amount of illustrations to choose from and once funded, we will hold polls to determine which of them gets created next. A sample of the options to choose from…

[23-Nov-21 08:12 PM] Jeshields#7002

{Attachments}
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/912888413517135942/UnlockedMonsters.jpg

[23-Nov-21 08:13 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
How many figures have you made so far?

[23-Nov-21 08:14 PM] Jeshields#7002
We have made 7 so far and are committed to 25 for the initial goal. Five of the initial 25 are Kickstarter-exclusive and will only be available there. The rust monster is one such exclusive. Dionizio has been bugging me to illustrate my version of a Terrasque, so I am sure that will happen, but otherwise it will all be backer input.

[23-Nov-21 08:16 PM] Jeshields#7002
We have committed to up to a HUNDRED monsters if we unlock them through stretch goals. For every $500 above goal, we will add an additional creature toward that goal. 100 hundred monsters for as little as $25 is a steal. I hope we can pull that off.

[23-Nov-21 08:17 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Impressive goal!

[23-Nov-21 08:18 PM] Jeshields#7002
Even making a quarter of that would make this a bargain. (If it’s not already.)

[23-Nov-21 08:19 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Do you mind if we wrap up a bit early? I’m kinda stumped for questions. 🙂

[23-Nov-21 08:21 PM] Jeshields#7002
Sure, but if you don’t mind, a few more details that we didn’t cover.

[23-Nov-21 08:21 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Oh, sure! I was going to ask if there were anything else. 🙂

[23-Nov-21 08:23 PM] Jeshields#7002
Every monster will be created with a uniquely detailed base, and will include two additional variants, for a total of 3 versions of each creature. I never like it when my horde of monsters looks like a series of clones.

[23-Nov-21 08:26 PM] Jeshields#7002
And lastly, in case it wasn’t obvious, this project is for the 3D printable files, so you will need access to a 3D printer if you want to take full advantage of this project. If you think this is cool but don’t have access to a printer at home, many libraries and maker groups have them available for use. And almost any library would love the free publicity of the cool things you make with the tools they make available.

[23-Nov-21 08:27 PM] Jeshields#7002
So, you can give back while still being active in what you love. Which is my number one professional advice: Make other people successful.

[23-Nov-21 08:28 PM] Jeshields#7002
Thank you for this time and space to talk about what we’re doing, @Dan Davenport

[23-Nov-21 08:28 PM] Jeshields#7002
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeshields/uncommon-monstrosities?ref=510was

[23-Nov-21 08:28 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Absolutely, my friend. You’re always welcome!

[23-Nov-21 08:29 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Usual reminder: If you’ve enjoyed this Q&A and would like to treat me to a coffee or two, you can do so at https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe. Anything’s appreciated! 🙂

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[23-Nov-21 08:29 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
If you’ll give me a couple of minutes, I’ll get the log posted and link you!