to NSFW or to not NSFW, that is the question [commission help + NSFW art links]

Nightmare Fuel
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2019) - Celebrated Derpibooru's seventh year anniversary with friends
Artist -

doesn't like much
i’e been thinking a bit about what else i can do to get more art commissions, but i haven’t gotten much out so far, largely because i don’t do NSFW art. they have been getting very popular these days, but it just isn’t my thing. there are other reasons why (i do art sporadically, no ych commishes, etc.), but no NSFW commishes is the biggest.
 
i have been reconsidering that option a little, but i don’t want to do anything pornographic. rather i’m thinking of casual nudity. when it comes to doing commissions, i want to make sure i am enjoying myself on what i draw, and i just feel dirty (the bad kind, lol) doing porn just for the money, cause i don’t care for porn itself. but i kind of like casual nudity. maybe not presenting anything, but simply anthro horses being casually naked or in sexy situations like showering or at the beach, lol.  
stuff like these two, for example  
>>1914631  
>>1906892
 
but at the same time, again i’m not that interested in doing NSFW, and i want to be that one weirdo who does just SFW, for those who simply want something small and easy. but should it be something to consider, or should i stick to establishing myself as the SFW artist for commissions?
Ciaran
ラ・ゼッタ - For supporting the site
Pixel Perfection - I still call her Lightning Bolt
Silly Pony - Celebrated the 13th anniversary of MLP:FIM, and 40 years of MLP!
Shimmering Smile - Celebrated the 10th anniversary of Equestria Girls!
Lunar Guardian - Earned a place among the ranks of the most loyal New Lunar Republic soldiers (April Fools 2023).
Crystal Roseluck - Had their OC in the 2023 Derpibooru Collab.
Flower Trio - Helped others get their OC into the 2023 Derpibooru Collab.
A Lovely Nightmare Night - Celebrated the 12th anniversary of MLP:FIM!
Princess of Love - Extra special version for those who participated in the Canterlot Wedding 10th anniversary event by contributing art.
Tree of Harmony - Drew someone's OC for the 2022 Community Collab

Senior Moderator
友情は魔法だ
@Nightmare Fuel  
When drawing for yourself, drawing what you want to draw is always the best option.
 
When drawing for others, if you are doing work that you believe in and want to create it seems that it’s easier to stay motivated and happy with your work.
 
But at the same time professionals do the work that they have contracted to do, because they’re professionals. You can still decide which themes you will and will not do for hire, and decide which contracts to accept and which you will not do. But you do the work because you’re a professional, not because you want to draw that thing.
 
Some people split the two - they have “This is the art I create because I enjoy it” and “This is the art I did for work”. So you don’t have to have just one answer.
 
I guess what I’m saying is if you want to do different kinds of art professionally than you do for yourself, just make that decision. You can use a pseudonym for your pro work, if that helps.
 
For me, if someone hires me to do work for them, and if what I draw for them is something I don’t want in my personal gallery, then that art is theirs, not mine. I get the money, they get the art. And if someone asks me “Did you do that piece?” I can say, “Yeah, that was work for hire for that company/person”.
 
I know that there are really good reasons for not signing over your copyright like that, but for me if the piece is not something I want to carry with me I treat it like writing code or writing copy - they pay me for the work, and then it’s theirs. And I charge more for it than if I was creating something that I would own and they would lease or license.
 
So, if you want to draw more and are willing to take NSFW commissions, then make that NSFW art something you are doing for hire, make it a professional thing. And keep doing the work you love to do for yourself, and keep them separate if it helps.
 
You still get to decide what you do and don’t draw, and if someone says “Woah - you drew this NSFW thing?” just say, “Yup, that’s some of my professional work. If you like that, I can do one for you too - here’s my rates.”
Interested in advertising on Derpibooru? Click here for information!
Techy Cutie Pony Collection!

Help fund the $15 daily operational cost of Derpibooru - support us financially!

Syntax quick reference: **bold** *italic* ||hide text|| `code` __underline__ ~~strike~~ ^sup^ %sub%

Detailed syntax guide