Shiratama Gives pixiv Requests A Try - They spoke frankly about their concerns and what they enjoyed!
- Shiratama
- Illustrator and lead animator. Their works include various character designs, original pictures, and commissioned illustrations for various titles, including Hoshizora Tetsudō to Shiro no Tabi, Amairo Chocolate, Shugaten!, Azur Lane (Fumizuki and Nagatsuki), and Nijisanji's Emma August.
When the excitement overcomes the nerves
── What were your honest thoughts when you first heard that pixiv was about to release a Requests feature?
── What did you think of pixiv's official requests and of the Co-request feature after trying them out?
In fact, there were even some people who were concerned that co-requesting something might be rude to the original requester, which is why I had a hard time announcing that I was actually taking co-requests.
But personally I'm really glad when someone sends me a co-request! The fee I set for requests is lower than what I usually charge for work, so I use the money raised through co-requests to improve the quality of my submissions.
── How did people react to the finished illustrations?
── You've already started to take on other requests besides pixiv's official ones. What kind of illustrations are fans asking for?
I also received many requests that seemed to come from outside of Japan.
── What kind of requests do you like to take on most?
Also, I'm happier to receive and to give priority to requests that seem to be made "exactly for Shiratama" rather than to generic requests that could be addressed to other creators as well.
── The passion of those who want their request done by a certain artist over others is something that truly resonates, isn't it?
Not drawing for work means you can enjoy the progress with your fans
── You also streamed the process of one of the works you were requested on YouTube!
── That's definitely one way to take advantage of requests! How did fans react to your live streams?
I've been sending the PSD data (original data) of the illustrations I draw both to the requester and co-requesters as a gift file. When I do, I try to separate the files into different stages of production so that people can see how the work was done. I also try to keep the layers as separate as possible.
This way, people can keep the files open and use them as a reference while watching my old live streams, which lets them enjoy the production process twice.
── It sounds like a valuable experience not only for your fans, but also for those who simply like drawing.
── Is there anything you'd like to experiment with your next requests?
Also, I'm already including a text file with some simple drawing instructions in the gift file. In the future though, I'd like to include things like the points that I was particular about and any difficulties I encountered.
If you'd like to try out the Requests feature...
── Do you have any advice for people who are nervous about sending a request to their favorite artist, or who can't make up their mind on what kind of content to request?
In my case, requests that are too detailed raise the bar a little too high for me to accept them, but I'm sure there are artists out there who feel differently. Personally, I'm always very happy to receive requests because it lets me know what kind of things people want me to draw!
── Do you have any advice for artists who want to start accepting requests?
At first, I was mostly worried about whether I would be able to find the time for requests, considering that I also draw illustrations for work and that I'm also active as a dōjin artist. However, when I learned that the creator retains all the rights to the completed artworks, I figured that I could also use the illustrations I was requested for my own dōjin activities, which is like catching two birds with one stone.
Some people might feel a sense of responsibility for their work and be a bit hesitant to act the same way, but you should remember that pixiv Requests is not a job. It's an occasion for creators and fans to enjoy creative activities together.
As for me, I'd like to keep using pixiv Requests in a fun and easy way too!
── Thank you very much!
About co-requests