If my first year participating in Inktober proved one thing (aside from my confidence drawing with pen), it’s that no matter the obstacles or setbacks, I’ll come through in the end. Despite a slow down around New York Comic Con and getting sick for nearly a week, I completed the entire thirty-one piece challenge by the end of the day on Halloween.

Now, fresh off of Inktober, I’ve jumped into NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), am opening up commissions until January 31, 2018, and catching up on Chadhiyana, Gentleman Cthulhu , plus putting together an Inktober sketchbook and a larger sketchbook (which has been in development since this past summer). But again, like Inktober, rest assured, I’ll catch up, come Hell or high water.

As I wrote two weeks ago, I’m pushing myself to do a lot over the next few months. Perhaps it’s because in late 2007 I got my first professional job and began getting published in 2008 (so this all marks ten years of professional work and publication). Perhaps it’s simply because I’m always trying to grow and improve. Whatever the case, if liked my Inktober series and have ever been interested in a commission, you’ll probably want to read through to the end.

For the past few years, I’ve opened commissions between November and January (the months I’m typically not attending conventions, and when things slow down a bit for me) through my Commissions Page (jmdesantis.com/commission-requests). This year, however, I’m pushing commissions more than before. For one, I still find commission work to be very satisfying and lucrative, and I’m looking to do more of this sort of work.

For another, I haven’t revisited my pricing in a while and that, coupled with a growing desire to spend more time on each commission (thus raising the quality of the work) has forced me to raise my prices. Only, I’m going to wait until after January! So that means, from now until January 31, 2018, you can get a commission from me before I raise my prices, and likely these commissions will be a lot closer in quality to the work I was doing for Inktober.

I’m looking to book about two to three commissions a week, and already I’ve had four put into my schedule since before November 1st (with another possible two). So, if you’re interested, visit my Commission Request Page for more information (including how to contact me about them).

Aside from commissions and my other work, I have a number of other things I’m going to offer over the next few months. First, after a few inquiries, I’ve also decided to offer up the entire 2017 Inktober collection for sale (each piece sold separately). More, as I’ve written about since the summer, I’m also trying to clear out some old print stock to make room for new pieces in 2018, as well as sell off some old display items (for a new display in the coming year as well).

In light of these things, I’ve been silently working on a new storefront for my website (a new feature I’ve never had before). It’s already in a beta format, and I’ll have it up the week of Black Friday (on November 21st), and that will be the only way to purchase not only the sale-priced prints I’m offering (with free shipping), but also one of the original Inktober pieces. My Patreon supporters, however, already have access to the store and Inktober art purchases.

So, if you’re desperate for a specific piece, please join my Patreon at as low as the $1.00 per month level to get access to the Inktober pieces and my store before they’re available to the general public. And, by the way, my Zazzle and Society6 stores will remain open, and my books and comics will remain available through their respective printers, publishers, and distributors; the plan for this new store is rather to offer original art and specialty items directly through my site.

Also, if you become a patron this month, your name will be included in both the 2017 sketchbook I’m compiling as well as the Inktober sketchbook–the latter list of which will be handwritten by yours truly. November 30th is the deadline. $3.00 gets your name in both books. $5.00 includes digital copies. $15.00 and up will get you all of the above plus physical copies.

Also, it’s very likely that if you don’t get in the Inktober sketchbook through Patreon, you won’t be able to purchase it unless you catch me at a convention next year (I’m debating offering it through the website store, but even if I do, it will be some time before I add it).

So there it is. An exciting and hectic way to end one year and begin another, but I’m really hoping to have a lot of success over the next few months. I’m hoping you’ll join me for the ride (and get some wonderful artwork for you or your loved ones as well).

Until next week…Cheers!