Topic: How do you obtain the courage to share your sexual work (art/writing/etc) with others?

How do you obtain the courage to share your sexual work (art/writing/etc) with others?

redphoenix42 said:
How do you obtain the courage to share your sexual work (art/writing/etc) with others?

Well, I post my work onto allocated platforms like Fur Affinity where almost everyone would enjoy the content I make. I also post to Bluesky which has a dedicated audience of furries and other NSFW artists.

redphoenix42 said:
How do you obtain the courage to share your sexual work (art/writing/etc) with others?

By not being a pussy about it (this is crucial, and in fact many artists forget about this later on!) and posting where the nature of it is accepted, e.g. dedicated furry gallery sites or sites for NSFW art in general.

It helps a lot to understand the societal disgust of sex is unfounded and to just let yourself be you. Being a furry is supposed to be freeing. Also, if you catch shit for your subject matter, ignore that noise and keep doing it.

mklxiv said:
By not being a pussy about it (this is crucial, and in fact many artists forget about this later on!)

Damn... brutal.

Of course, I was posting my NSFW artwork from basically the moment I started drawing NSFW when I was (not gonna say the age but it was way too young) and so I never had the "ooh omg my NSFW art on the internet??" moment. It was just always there.

But. Sometimes. I draw something extra weird and I have a moment "Oh, fuck, people are gonna see this with their eyes. They're gonna think about this. I'm posting this so real people can look at it. I decided to make this and now I'm just gonna... show it. To other people." And then I hit post and stop overthinking it because I know full well someone made a way weirder, way more unlikable image, and uploaded it with way less overthinking.

So I would say, to anyone who hasn't posted their work yet. It's not the weirdest/grossest/worst/ugliest/most unlikable thing ever made. I promise you. Even if the weirdness is breaking new ground in NSFW art, that makes it avant garde and that's a good thing. Even if people don't like it, that just means it hasn't found its audience yet.

There's at least one person on earth who, if they saw the thing you made, it would be their favorite thing ever. I swear this is true. Numbers and engagement metrics do not show the depth of love some people may have for a certain piece. There is an audience for everything, no matter how small. They can never find your work and love it if they never have the chance to see it because it was kept hidden due to shyness or shame or whatever else.

I post every piece that I finish. Whether it's my best work or not. Whether it's going to be well-received or not. Whatever. I worked hard on it and I'm going to share it. Even if I don't like it in a year. It still deserves a place on the internet just like everyone else's artwork.

I think you should start with friends that share the same kinks, after getting their feedback and improving then I think that can help for you sharing with the world.

emionix said:
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Very well said and very good advice, I'll also add that you shouldn't let other bully you out of drawing the subject matter you want. So many artists nuke their old work like it's something to be ashamed of, I never got that.

My favorite part of making NSFW art is sharing it. I make it so my friends can enjoy it and so some random people halfway across the world can learn about something new they may be into.
For me it's never been about courage. I was never raised to be ashamed of my art, so I've always been happy to share it.

All in all, I wholeheartedly agree with Emionix here. There's nothing to fear because weirder and grosser has always been made before you, and if it hasn't then you'll find your audience. That's the fun of sharing.

I'd say that it probably helps if you start sharing it in a place with no attachment to yourself & where no one has to pass judgement on it (e.g. a site where uploads have to be approved like e621 is a bad place to start). That way, your confidence in your own abilities will grow alongside your tolerance for criticism.

aacafah said:
I'd say that it probably helps if you start sharing it in a place with no attachment to yourself & where no one has to pass judgement on it (e.g. a site where uploads have to be approved like e621 is a bad place to start). That way, your confidence in your own abilities will grow alongside your tolerance for criticism.

I second this with e621 not being a good place for beginners. I recommend you only use e621 to showcase approve-able works like rendered / polished art pieces which is something I already do.

I think the bigger fear than people being disgusted is that they won't care.

Possibly, but I'd say that's even further reason to start in smaller places with lower expectation for engagement. I think the best headset to have is that you're making these for your own enjoyment, & posting it for your own convenience; if you want to share with a friend, or have it in a place you can easily search & pull up on something else, etc. Let other people having access to it not even register, so it's a pleasant surprise instead of a disappointment.

radiancemutt said:
I second this with e621 not being a good place for beginners. I recommend you only use e621 to showcase approve-able works like rendered / polished art pieces which is something I already do.

Another big thing about e621 not being for beginners is self esteem, which is something I can say from experience is something you need to hold onto as an artist for dear life, losing it kills your output and quality. Having your posts deleted is not good for that.