Hello again! π
It's very important to read the entire thing. There are a lot of "buts," asterisks, and fine print. So read the entire thing, it's important π
So - I announced an offer regarding my miniatures and a Patreon subscription. And here I am. π You might say I said I'd do this a month ago. That's true, but as always, there are reasons. There are a lot of undefined issues. So, this isn't a finished proposal yet, but a rough draft. There are important questions I want to discuss with you.
But the most important thing is already here. My main offer: I'm inviting you to subscribe to my Patreon and, in exchange, receive a box of hand-painted miniatures from my wargame, which I'm currently working on. I've called it the ultimate badass, just the way I like it. (You know, I like that kind of thing.) The "Demonic Evacuation. Fury!!!!" π The name might be controversial... I'm still thinking about it. But there's something hype about it for now.
In short, this is your way of helping me complete my journey to a country where I can finally stop feeling subhuman and somehow normalize my life. That's my main reason for doing this now. Keep that in mind.
What kind of miniatures are these? This is the base box of a set of really cool demons (really cool, according to the creator, but I hope you like it too π). The set will also include a super exclusive character. This is the leader of the demon gang (equivalent to a sergeant). This character will always be a super important hero in my game. This is my first exclusive model. And you will always defeat your opponents, if not on points, then morally ;) The base box will also be exclusive, with a certificate stating that you were the very person who helped me break through my final barrier. I haven't yet decided whether I'll verify this certificate with my signature in blood, so that my DNA will be confirmed. But I'm thinking about this very seriously πΒ
This is all super exclusive for those who help me with my emigration. Therefore, this offer is only valid for those who subscribe to my Patreon before I get to an EU country, or Canada, or the US, or Australia. (Why such a long list of countries? Because it's very difficult everywhere, and I have no idea where we'll be able to get into.) Next, I'm thinking of introducing a few more Patreon exclusives, but I'm not sure yet if I can handle it all without breaking my bank. But I'll try my best! Naturally, after the first gang of demons, there will be another team of heroes. The next box will be my Knights of Investigation, the main demon fighters in my universe. I'm actively working on their creation now. That is, once you raise enough money for one box, you automatically start collecting for a second box, unless you cancel your subscription.
That was the basic proposal. Now, here's how it works:
For all my Patreon subscribers, starting March 28, 2026, a counter will be activated for one item. The price of this item is the very question I can't yet pinpoint. I need your advice. I've spent a lot of time researching the issue, and I think my price is justified. Here are my arguments:
The price for a set of about 5 miniatures from companies like GamesWorcshop, CorvusBelly, and others is approximately 35 to 55 euros. And their miniatures are 35 mm. I'm unknown, my miniatures aren't plastic, and the game itself isn't ready yet. Even though my miniatures are twice as tall (60 mm), I'll be keeping the starting price for the box at 25 euros for now. Unfortunately, with an average shipping cost of 50 euros, no one will ever order anything from me under those conditions. Therefore, my business model for now is selling only hand-painted miniatures. This will increase the income from one purchase until I get to a country where I can deliver my miniatures without painting, as a mass product with a delivery price of 6 euros.
Regarding the painting cost, this stage of the evaluation is the most difficult for me right now. Buyers' evaluations are extremely subjective and depend entirely not on the quality of the painting, but on the buyer's income. This is perfectly normal, but because prices in the artist market vary so widely, it's very difficult for me to ensure my work is valued adequately. But I just came across a video, and it's from someone independent of me, so it can be considered an honest criterion for evaluation and proof that I haven't made it all up. I propose using this as the basis for discussion. Take a look, it's just a short reel on Instagram. Here's the video:
I've actually reviewed a huge amount of information and interrogated all available AI on this topic. And here are the figures I've come up with: painting is most commonly divided into three color types, based on three model types. That means roughly nine approximate figures can be used as a basis:
Small infantry: Base β¬8β14, Commercial β¬22β36, Display β¬50β150.
Infantry, hero: Base β¬10β20, Commercial β¬25β50, Display β¬80β200+.
Large: Base β¬20β40, Commercial β¬40β100, Display β¬150β600+.
These are all very arbitrary figures, I understand. But you have to start somewhere. And taking these figures into account, although my miniatures are 60 mm, I'm absolutely certain that I paint at least better than anyone among the worst artists! I even have an airbrush and a 0000 brush; isn't that the sign of a professional?! (But seriously, I'm sure I've learned to paint quite well over the past year). So, I'll calculate my painting cost at 19 euros per model... Perhaps some of you will ask: "Why so cheap!??!" Because I'm almost giving up, because things are going incredibly badly, and I need at least some sales. Perhaps you, with a huge number of orders, will convince me that I need to raise the price to 25 euros per miniature, but for that, you'll need to vote with your Patreon subscriptions.
So, a box of 5 miniatures costs 25 euros plus five paint jobs at 19 euros per model. That's 120 euros total (+ VAT in your country, that's how Patreon works) + 50 euros shipping. And it's still cheaper than buying average-quality GW miniatures and ordering a commercial-grade paint job.
But this isn't your average box of regular miniatures. You get a box of miniatures with an incredibly exclusive character (meaning it's the sixth miniature and the sixth paint job for free). As a reminder, this character will no longer be available in any way. I will personally delete all of its files as soon as I arrive in the target country. You'll also get super-cheap painting services and a very low price for the box of miniatures.Β
Plus, a certificate from the person who brought this awesome project to life and saved me from living under a bridge. And your name will be featured on the main page of my website. Big and centered at the very top, there will be a link to those who helped me with all of this. It won't be hidden somewhere at the very end. And not just any line, but with a beautiful icon and design. You know me; I know how to create beautiful graphics. I will immortalize your name with the utmost respect and honor! New people will certainly be added, of course, who will also decide to support me in the future, but you will be there first. I think this is a great deal!
Be sure to let me know how fair and worthwhile my offer is in your opinion. This is incredibly important.
That's how it works in theory. But how does it work in practice? You simply follow this link and sign up for any level of support:
For example, you subscribe for 10 euros for 12 months. (This is, by the way, the best option for me, but this is just an example; you can do this with other subscription tiers.) Be sure to message me privately on Patreon that you subscribed specifically to participate in the "Demonic Evacuation" campaign. And as soon as your subscription reaches 120 euros, you message me to let me know you've reached the required amount. Then I'll make a box for you and then ship it to you. Why don't I track it myself? Because it's impossible. Even tracking several dozen people over several months is impossible unless it's automated. I'll definitely forget someone.
And an important point: shipping. Let me remind you, I can't do anything about itβit's about 50 euros. You'll have to pay for it yourself upon receipt. This is the most important aspect, why I need to leave here. I'll never organize anything worthwhile here with such prices. It's completely uncompetitive :(
Here's a basic proposal outline. I really need your feedback. Be sure to write me any questions you have. Especially if you're interested in receiving such a box, but something doesn't suit you in my terms. Or if something bothers you, you see some kind of deception or unfairness. I'm sure you're not alone in this, and I didn't notice it. I really need to know this so I can fix it. After all, this isn't a final proposal yet. And even if you're not interested at all, be sure to write to me too. That's also very important feedback, letting me know if maybe I'm doing this in vain, so I don't delude myself with false hopes. Or, conversely, it will let me know, if such rejections are rare, that I should move on. I need all the feedback right now, and negative feedback is perhaps even more important. Although, of course, I want something positive π In general, I look forward to your comments. If you think I'm asking this for the sake of the algorithms, write me directly in a DM on Instagram. This does not affect the reach of posts in any way.
I also wanted to write a quick disclaimer. I kindly ask you not to treat this as a product created by some large company, with all the service requirements that entails. I'm alone. I'm no longer a young immigrant artist. My life is a continuous whirlwind of events and endless bureaucratic horrors. I'm afraid I'll soon grow into a chair next to my battered laptop. I'm doing this entire project in the spare hour and a half to two hours of my life, after my main job, which takes up all day. I don't watch new TV shows, play games, or even meet anyone. For the past six months, I've left my apartment once every three days to pay for something and buy groceries. I do everything alone. I negotiate with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people a month. I get stressed out by 90% of these people because of rejections, and I'm also alone. I'm working on the concept of my universe myself, I'm doing the 3D modeling myself, I'm doing the 3D printing myself, I'm painting the miniatures myself. And in the future, I'll be keeping track of all my customers myself, packing and mailing future orders myself. And all this against the backdrop of the crushing horror of war and emigration. So I think there's a chance I'll screw up. And I kindly ask you to be a little more lenient about this. Don't forgive my mistakes outright, but at least don't try to crucify me if I screw up on deadlines or anything like that.
I love you all who's read this far! It was a lot of work, I know. :)
(And I'll still write a full description of the proposal... Anyway, stay strong ;) )