You probably don’t want to be stuck drawing the same thing over and over.
Yet everyone tells you to specialize. To choose a niche as an NSFW artist, claiming it’ll bring you success.
From personal experience, and studying some well-known NSFW artists like CuteSexyRobutts and Reiq, yes: specializing and having a niche is much more likely to get you more followers and better-paying clients.
However, contrary to what many artists think, specializing doesn’t mean being trapped doing the same thing. In fact, it’s an opportunity for your creative growth.
The Generalist vs the Specialist
Most artists want to draw different styles and try various genre and skills. This desire to explore is a hallmark of creativity. I myself became an artist because it felt open and free compared to computer science. You might have a similar reason, too.
So why would we even consider abandoning the creative attitude of exploring? Why the hurry to go from being a generalist to a specialist?
Because a specialist’s deeper expertise allows them to be more creative and offer more value.
You can build a bigger audience and earn more money by specializing, offering more value to others by being relevant. Click To TweetSuddenly, it’s no longer about what we want to explore, but about the value we create for others. And when we encounter that problem, we find creative ways to solve it.
In my article on improving your chances of getting commissions, I recommended ‘casting a tighter net’ and engaging with the people who need your art. Because ideally, your art solves a customer problem. For example, toothpaste benefits us by preventing painful toothaches and sensitivity. What about the benefit of your art to the customer?
Specializing makes answering this question a lot easier. Your audience and customers know what to expect, and know you’ll do a damn good job because you’ve seen and solved the problem a hundred times. And you’re always finding new creative ways to do it.
And then generalize internally. You’re free to explore different things, incorporating them into your specialty. In fact, I highly recommend it! You can bring your voice and passion into your specialty to create something even more unique. That’s why I spend equal time blogging and drawing; it helps me stand out.
Showing Your Expertise as a Specialist
Who would you want to commission to draw your OC? Someone who draws animals, portraits, and whatever commission request comes their way, or someone who only draws OCs?
The specialist can charge higher because they know what problems their clients need to be solved. As an OC artist, here are the questions I’m able to ask because I’ve faced the problem so much:
– How does the character’s backstory play into their actions during sexy time?
– How can my design choices bring focus to the OC’s unique lewdness?
– How can I ask questions that tease out the owner’s connection with the OC? To find their motive for commissioning, their desires and needs?
– How can I collaborate with the client to create the artwork, rather than impose what I want?
As artists, we believe specializing kills our creativity. From my experience, it’s the opposite. Choosing a niche allows us to go deeper, finding new ways to express our creativity and provide greater value to our target audience. The more you show that, the more opportunities find you. For example, here’s a ‘kink wall’ commission a first-time client approached me with. I asked them why they chose me, and they said because of how open I was talking to them about their OC.
As you move towards specializing, consider what you enjoy drawing, and how you enjoy doing it. Then focus on providing value to others.
12 Big NSFW Artists Who Win by Specializing
Here are some well-known NSFW creators who have found or made their niche. Let’s break down the common specialties, and what we can learn from these NSFW artists who specialize.
Art Style
Art style is the most common way to specialize. It’s far from being the easiest, though, because everyone claims it as their differentiator.
It’s similar to an aisle of soda. Each has a different taste and packaging, but it’s hard to point out big differences. Likewise, you’re competing with hundreds of other artists if you claim style as your thing.
That said, let’s see some examples of successful NSFW artists who use art style to differentiate themselves.
CuteSexyRobutts
I’ve talked about CSR and how they apply the principles of being an artist people want to follow. Of course, CSR’s main hook is still the amazing art. A grasp of lighting and anatomy come together in a unique painterly style that you don’t see a lot in NSFW, where lineart is more common.
Notice how CSR draws a lot of fanart to leverage familiarity. Strangers come for the characters they already love, and stay for the unique style.
Sakimichan
At first glance, it seems like people are drawn to Sakimi for her art style. She certainly popularized the highly-rendered pin-up technique.
Digging deeper, it’s also her content’s shareability. Her gender bends have shown up in popular magazines like People and SoraNews24, and Daily Dot included her in “the best adult Patreons to follow.”
It’s also interesting to note that she’s verified on Twitter, which might be because of how well-known and mainstream she’s become, even with the explicit nature of her works.
Reiq
Reinaldo Quintero is the artist behind Jiggly Girls (OG!) Though it seems like all he draws is cute girls, Reiq’s art is backed by a solid understanding of art fundamentals, especially lighting and anatomy, as you can see from his blog.
A notable thing about Reiq is how he networks. A lot of NSFW artists (myself included!) stay confined to social media. Yet look at the different opportunities Reiq has gotten:
- Featured in Corel Painter Magazine, Digital Artist and Advanced Photoshop Magazine
- Sponsored by various tablet companies
- Drawn comic book variant covers
- Teaches digital illustration at Brainstorm School
Similar to Sakimi, it’s a lesson in how we can find success both within and outside the NSFW field.
Tropes & Content
Other NSFW artists focus on specific themes and visuals, becoming known for it. The key here is consistency and using everything at your disposal to make sure people know what you do.
ROBOTEKZ
EKZ’s audience know what they’re following for: paizuri art.
Kenshin187
Kenshin is a good example of “be the artist that comes to mind for __”. In Kenshin’s case, group sex art. What about you?
Sabu
Sabu almost exclusively draws noncon art. Coupled with a unique art style, it’s gained Sabu over 70k followers.
Sabu also understands the risks of being an NSFW artist. He has multiple sources of income like Gumroad and SubscribeStar, and constantly drives traffic to his website and other accounts.
Character & Story
Other artists lean heavily into their character backstory and worldbuilding. It’s rare to see them do commission work, but they’re usually well supported on membership platforms like Patreon or SubscribeStar.
Lynus
Popular for their OC Naoka-san
Norman Maggot
Popular for their OC Olive Laurentia, among other OCs.
Strangestone (Himura Kiseki)
Popular for their series focused on big tiddies, Getsuyoubi no Tawawa. Himura-sensei was a big inspiration for Loveless!
Experience
As much entrepreneur as artist, these are the creators who put together all the previous specializations, and package them into an experience you won’t find anywhere else. This gets them more attention, while lowering the competition.
Gats
A few years ago, Gats started a game development group called Gobbosoft. Since then, they’ve rebranded to Amagato Café and shifted their focus to erotica and NSFW art.
I consider Gats an experience niche artist because he’s put together a team that helps him expand beyond art. As a result, there’s much more incentive for people to support Amagato Café.
Merryweather
While not an artist, Merryweather wrote and popularized anime shorts like Internet Explorer-Chan. They work with artists like Hinghoi and Ermao, along with voice actors. Talk about a full load!
AGL Studios
An artist turned creator, AGL Studios was founded by dinmoney. He works together with his wife to create games like Faulty Apprentice and Girls Overboard.
AGL Studios is a great example of how artists don’t need to be confined to drawing. There are many forms your art can take to help you reach a wider audience and create more value.
And again, specializing. Din knows his strengths as an artist, so he hires programmers to work on the coding side of things. Time and money well spent.
Conclusion
How can you start turning your strengths into a specialty? Remember, when we specialize externally, we create opportunities for ourselves and value for others. Instead of being a bad thing, becoming experts allows us to become more creative.
Need some inspiration for where to take your NSFW art? Check out these 12 well-known NSFW artists who win by specializing! Click To TweetLet me know what you think of the article by commenting with your thoughts, or tweeting @hbeatsart.
Cheers, Beats.
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