Penetrating the World of Pornographic Art
Diving deep into the world of pornographic art with the ‘Picasso of Pussy’.
By Holly Miles
Porn is more popular and more accessible than it has ever been. With an influx of influence from across the globe and all your fantasies available on tap, is it any wonder that so many struggling artists choose to make money taking commissions for explicit art or Hentai images? I sat down with the artist known as Hexehuli to talk about all things digital porn.
What art do you make and how did you get into making it?
I do digital art; digital painting, whatever people want to call it nowadays. I first got into digital art when I was a lot younger, around 17. I wanted to improve a lot so I’d find forums for guidance. Then I’d go on forums to just take random requests. I even sometimes went on 4chan — /b/ because there’s a common draw-thread there for artists and requests. (Amongst all the porn and random crap)
I’m sure that initial struggle to make it into communities where your art is being rewarded is relatable to so many. So initially were you taking commissions to earn money or for artistic practice?
I actually have never advertised myself as taking commissions or anything, business mostly comes from people seeing my work, sliding into my DMs and asking if I ‘do NSFW.’ Usually price and other business plans are discussed thereafter.
It’s pretty good for earning ‘side money’ alongside my SFW art, or full-time or part-time jobs.
That’s very interesting that you say your customers seek you out for commissions, is it something that you’ve always encouraged or were you ever hesitant?
In the beginning, I was very hesitant, and I’ve probably passed up some really good opportunities by not having an open mind. However, I don’t regret it. Otherwise I think my skills would be a lot more different in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
Could you expand a little more on how you feel taking on those earlier commissions might have shaped you?
In regard to skills and strengths shaping me, I believe if I solely painted NSFW and didn’t focus on 3D software of landscapes, I’d probably be the Bernini of breasts, the Picasso of pussies, Leonardo Da Vinci to LosingHerVirginity.png. I’m just kidding though. I would be a mere peasant compared to those masters — but you get the point.
Why in particular do you think you seek to undertake most of your work under the guise of anonymity?
I’m sure a good handful can relate in regard to seeking more anonymous communities because that’s how you get the most honest criticism. Anonymity grants people the opportunity to be really harsh. I’ve definitely had my feelings hurt once or twice from online forums.
It seems you’ve definitely experienced the ups and downs of anonymity. Especially, I presume, with the majority of your NSFW clientele wanting to stay anonymous whilst you receive their raw feedback. Clearly anonymity entails you coming under harassment as individuals are able to “hide behind their screens.’ ?
Online stalking has definitely been a problem. However, NSFW clients are usually a lot more respectful compared to SFW clients.
In terms of harassment you can always just change your online alias and adjust your style so you’re unrecognisable, which is something you can’t do if you’re literally selling yourself online e.g. camming, nsfw images — you know what I mean. As it’s not involving my real identity, it makes it a whole lot easier to just shape-shift and move onwards.
Sometimes I’ve spoken with friends who work in the NSFW art business who admit to catfishing or pretending to be women to increase their sales, relationships with clients etc. The lines kind of begin to blur with ‘selling yourself online’ when I see these kinds of trades.
That’s interesting that you mention that the work within the NSFW communities can often be more respectful as I think a lot of people tend to make the opposite assumption. Do you tend to have regular clientele for both your SFW and NSFW art? And does building this relationship with clients lessen any of the harassment involved in the role?
Yes! Clientele has been regular with NSFW and SFW, more so on the NSFW side however the price tags balance these both out I’d say. Sometimes there’s harassment from NSFW clients, more so that they just become infatuated and I think that’s because you acknowledge their deepest and darkest fetishes and accept them. You’re taking these people’s desires which they’ve kept hidden in their minds and making them come to life on screen. I don’t blame them for becoming infatuated or obsessed. A good portion of these people keep these secrets their whole life and cannot ever tell anyone about it because it would seem absurd.
Do you think the financial side of things ever makes you feel under pressure to make more explicit art or to focus more on the subjects that are making you the most amount of money?
I’m lucky to say that I haven’t felt pressured to make more explicit art for the sake of my income. I’ve been very lucky to have consistent SFW clients. Also working a job on the side can be helpful whether it be full-time or part-time.
I know some artists who are extremely skilled but ended up making a different decision to me, that is. working full-time as a NSFW artist. Not because they entirely enjoy the subject, but more for the sake of income and stability. Sometimes they give up on their dreams or stop fighting for their goals and give into the bright white light. That is NSFW painting and the price tag you’re awarded for it.
That is definitely a shame that not everyone has the opportunity to pursue their true goals and ambitions within the artistic medium, and explicit art certainly does seem to turn more of a profit. What do you think the reasons are for NSFW art making more money than SFW?
I feel NSFW art profits more because humans have needs and desires — men usually wake up with that every morning. You don’t wake up one morning and think: ‘Fuck, I could really do with a snowstorm dragon battle painting right now.’
Sometimes people have kinks which cannot be accomplished in real life, like putting scorpions in some slim-thick Elven ass. I don’t think any sane woman would be willing to do that. Or even necrophilia, guro (gore), giant Orc’s ravaging petit mages, or dare I say the f-word…furry porn. But yeah! It starts becoming more fantasy or sci-fi too which can’t be achieved too well in real life. But the further you go down the rabbit hole, the darker it gets.
And then just a few quickfire questions:
Are there any particular rules that you set for your clients or art?
My only rule is no Lolicon (attraction to young/prepubescent girls). I will not draw it, distribute it, promote it in any way shape or form.
Is there anything that has shocked you in your line of work?
Things which have shocked me…hmm I’d say the forms of gore, there’s a genre/tag, ‘女の子に急所攻撃’ (inflicting pain upon a woman’s vital areas). The only response I have is that it’s like when a guy winces when he sees another guy get his testicles kicked in.
As an experienced professional is there any wisdom you can impart into people considering getting into digital painting SFW or NSFW art?
In terms of ‘wisdom’ the smartest thing I can recommend is to keep your identity safe, don’t overshare and keep working on yourself.
Finally, do you have any long-term ambitions for your work?
I don’t think I have long term ambitions with NSFW art. I will continue to work on projects and produce content, but these are other people’s dreams, they are not mine.
