The Becoming Artists membership site was created on Patreon.
Patreon is an awesome platform that I deeply believe in because it has helped artists of all fields, from all around the world, build sustainable incomes for themselves via what they do best.
Patreon has made it easy for artists to interact directly with their fans and community members, and consistently provide them with helpful/inspiring/entertaining content.
Patreon F.A.Q.
1. What is Patreon?
Patreon is an amazing online platform through which artists and creatives of all kinds are able to form live communities around their work and the value they offer, so that they can keep doing what they're doing long-term.
People all over the world who find their content helpful and/or inspiring are able to support them and at the same time, get direct access to the creator him/herself, as well as to exclusive resources that are only made available for community members.
Not only is it my dream to create a living, breathing online community through which I can get to know and help aspiring artists directly and in an ongoing way, but I also believe that a quality art education should be accessible for everyone.
This is why I'm offering an incredible amount of value, and all of the fundamentals I learned in art school, at a very low monthly cost.
There are artists online selling what I'm offering in here for hundreds of dollars.
Not to mention, the majority of artists offering courses and classes online don't offer individualized feedback and aren't there providing support directly!
2. When can I join?
Anytime! You'll be charged coming in, as you get immediate access to my library of exclusive classes, tutorials and special resources. Moving forward, you'll be charged on the same day you joined, in the following month.
Ex.: If you join on the 13th of September, your next payment will be on the 13th of October.
3. What can I look forward to as a member?
I have four different tiers available over at my Patreon site that anyone can join, depending on their needs.
Once you join, you have immediate access to the entire library of posts that has been uploaded for your tier.
**Over 90 real-time drawing and watercolor painting tutorials with narrated walkthrough have already been shared with the Budding Artist tier and upwards, and 45 classes/workshops on Art Fundamentals (designed to be seen in a sequential order) are already available for members in the Rising Star tier and upwards.**
What you unlock as a $1 dollar member:
-Special thanks on social media and YouTube
-Immediate access to How to Find Your Art Style workbook
-Weekly Sketchbook Challenges sent to your email inbox every Monday
-*Private Monthly Art Livestreams* We work in our sketchbooks together while chatting
and I answer all your questions!
-Ad-free versions of most of the videos I share over on YouTube (with my downloadable outline sketches)
What you unlock as a $6 dollar member:
-Everything from lower tier
-A library of 90+ exclusive real-time drawing and watercolor tutorials that aren't shared anywhere else (two new tutorials with full step-by-step commentary get shared every month)
-Each tutorial will include its own downloadable outline drawing, link to the reference photo used and a supply list including specific paint colors
-Access to a growing vault of original reference pictures (taken by myself) that you can use for your own artwork
-Participate in polls for upcoming topics for live chats and Patreon tutorials
What you unlock as a $15 dollar member:
-Everything from lower tiers
-Access to a library of classes and workshops on Art Fundamentals (there are 45 up and a new one gets added every month!)
-Monthly Creative Assignment designed to help you build a solid understanding of fundamentals, push your creativity and help you find your artistic voice
-Direct feedback from me
-Quick tip video every-other-Saturday
4. Will I be able to get help if I get lost or confused?
Patreon is a user-friendly platform and I've even created external pages where members in the $6 tiers and upwards can access all of the tutorials and classes in one same place. This said, absolutely! It's my priority to make your experience a positive one in every way I can and am always listening.
I'm in the site every day from Monday through Friday, even on days when nothing is scheduled to be posted, checking on messages and providing feedback.
Everyone joining my community gets a direct message from me in less than 24 hours after joining, through which I provide special links with welcome resources and must-know information.
Members know that I'm constantly checking for messages through both Patreon and email, and answer as soon as I'm able (usually within less than 24 hours).
Patreon community members and my one-on-one students are my top priority. Lots of people reach out to me every day via email and social media asking for feedback, and the only ones I respond to are members in my online paid communities as well as paying students.
5. Can I cancel anytime?
Yep! It's very easy to stop pledging at any time, though I would recommend taking advantage of all the resources you have available for the full month you have access to them as you'll loose access to everything as soon as you leave.
I assure you, there's a ton to see! :)
It's also very easy to upgrade or downgrade your tier level once your in, depending on how your needs change over time.
Because there are no contracts, you aren't bound to any time limits or constraints.
6. Are your tutorials beginner-friendly?
I create tutorials for all skill levels and organize them in the Patreon-exclusive library into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced categories ($6 tier and upwards).
You will be shown everything you need to get started (including supplies) and will be taken through the entire process, step-by-step.
7. In what order should I watch the tutorials?
Once you're in, you'll receive a link to a downloadable Welcome Flow Chart that includes clickable links and will take you through what I'd recommend covering first, as well as where to move on to next.
*If you have any other questions, please reach out: hello@erikalancaster.com
I'd be happy to help with any further information you might need.