Website vs Patreon – Which Should You Choose?

I’m often asked what the difference is between memberships on my website and on Patreon, so I wanted to lay everything out in one place.

The short version is that you’ll find all of my current, high-quality tutorials on both platforms. My website is a structured course library, while Patreon also includes a larger back-catalogue.

What’s Included Everywhere

No matter where you join, you’ll get:

– Full, narrated drawing tutorials
– New tutorials added twice a month
– Real-time footage so you can draw along at your own pace
– Sketch outlines, reference photos and colour swatches
– Tutorials in coloured pencil, watercolour pencil and graphite

From around mid-2022 onwards, every new tutorial is created in the same format and uploaded to both my website and Patreon.

How the Tutorials Are Laid Out

On my website

My website is laid out like a traditional course library.

Each tutorial is split into separate lessons (e.g. “Build up the Base Layers”, “Brighten up the Colours”).
Under each lesson you’ll find the narrated walkthrough, and in a separate section you’ll see the real-time footage.
You can click “Complete and Continue” as you go, and your progress is tracked, so it’s easy to see what you’ve finished and where to pick up next time.
You can browse everything on the Courses page.

If you like things organised and enjoy working through lessons step-by-step, the website layout is usually the most comfortable option.

On Patreon

Patreon works more like a content feed.

For each tutorial I upload one full video, hosted on YouTube.
The video is divided into chapters, so you can jump between the narrated sections and the real-time parts using the time-stamps in the description.
All resources (sketch, reference, swatches) are attached to the post.

Which Tutorials Are on Each Platform?

Website

All of my professional, newer-style tutorials from around mid-2022 onwards.
These are the classes you’ll see in my emails, on YouTube and in my beginner pathways.
Everything is presented in the newer “talk-through + separate real-time” format.

If you’d like to see exactly what’s included, you can browse the full list on the Courses page.

Patreon

All of the tutorials that are on my website, plus
A small number of older “archive” tutorials from before 2022.
- In these, the voiceover is recorded first and the footage is timelapsed to fit.
- They still include real-time footage and resources, but the structure is a little different from my newer classes.
A few experimental/older pieces (including some early pastel tutorials) that I’ve chosen not to move over to the website.

So if you specifically want every tutorial I’ve ever made, including the older archive content, Patreon currently has the larger total library. If you prefer a streamlined, modern learning experience, the website focuses on my newer format only.

Pricing, Currency and Where You Live

I do my best to keep prices similar on both platforms, but there are a few practical differences:

Website memberships

Available to people living in: UK, EU, USA, Australia and New Zealand
Payments can be made in GBP, EUR or USD
Great if you prefer a traditional course login and progress tracking

Patreon memberships

Available in more countries and currencies
Ideal if you’re outside the regions listed above, or if you like the Patreon app.

So… Which One Should You Pick?

Whichever you choose, you’ll be learning the same methods and techniques, and you’ll continue to receive all new tutorials as they’re released. You absolutely don’t need both platforms, just pick the one that fits how you like to learn.

Choose Website if you want
- A structured course experience
- Easy progress tracking and clear separation of lessons and real-time footage
- A curated library of my newer, polished tutorials

See Website Memberships

Choose Patreon if you want
- Everything on the website plus older archive tutorials
- A more casual, feed-style layout
- Community posts and extra updates in the Patreon app

See Patreon Memberships

The tutorials are SO doable! They are spilt nicely into sections with an initial briefing session and then a silent real time video. I love love love them. I did an advanced one (the ice cream sundae) and was so pleased with it.

Christine

Gemma has been such a wonderful instructor. She clearly explains every step throughout the process and her tutorials are very informative. Gemma has a real gift with both art and teaching, which has helped me develop my skill set with colored pencils and graphite. Over time, I’ve been able to take the techniques she’s taught me and use it in my own colored pencil drawings. I love her chosen reference photos and I genuinely look forward to her newest tutorials twice a month!

Griffin P

I found one of Gemma’s tutorials online a year and a half ago and was hooked. I became a member shortly after. The tutorials are so detailed and I have learned so much from her. I always look forward to seeing new tutorials she comes up with. Thank you Gemma!

Betty R

I had always thought I was bad at drawing, but it’s only because I didn’t have a good teacher. I finally decided when I turned 29 that I wanted to learn, and Gemma’s tutorials are all I needed! They’re easy to follow and helpful for developing drawing skills in general. I’m so happy with my drawings from Gemma’s tutorials that I now use them as gifts for my family.

Brooke