I would like to be able to purchase hearts! Daniel the Contraptioist has just created an awesome sketch titled '3 months later' which totally needs a heart from me and I don't have one.

I think they should be expensive so as not to devalue hard earned working hearts. I would suggest 10 USD per heart or a dozen hearts for $100.

Making hearts available as an in app purchase will help fund sketchclub. I read the long list of features folks want added to sketchclub (all very cool!) and I find it very hard to believe that my original 3 USD purchase price (last year) is of any help in funding future developments.

And yes, I kind of have a crush on blackpawn's brilliant mind and sunny disposition but really, I just see this as a way of solving two problems at once:

1. I am in desperate need of more hearts than I have time to earn in the regular way.

2. Help keep the cost of sketchclub low bringing the joys of creating digital art to the widest possible audience.

I also think this would give those artists who go on to be successful big timers a way to continue to be involved with and support the community.

What do you all think...

Yes, Wendy! I am fully behind IAP hearts. I've actually suggested this before, although I was thinking more like 5 hearts for 4.99. I really don't think that devalues them. If I got a heart on a sketch and knew that someone had shelled out a dollar for it, that would be just as much of an honor as thinking they had earned 150 glops for it.

And, I think that enough SC users would partake of hearts for sale that it would help BP to continue to keep SC running so smoothly.

There are two important points regarding buying hearts. First, it doesn't look good to prospective buyers to have IAP for a paid app. Having them be high priced would be even worse. When people see IAP, they assume it is something they will need to enjoy the app fully.

Which brings me to my second point. If IAP hearts become a reality, we must all write reviews on the AppStore, and explain that you can get just as much out of the app without paying any more than the purchase price. And of course, give that 5-star rating that SC so fully deserves!

I agree, also, that it is very frustrating when you need a heart and are far from one. Especially when you see another sketch that deserves one while you're still trying to earn the first one! And it gets harder and harder all the time, as more great artists join SC!

I would buy brushes if there are to buy...layers..effects...whatever..but I don't think I would buy hearts...

I would buy the hearts but couldn't afford them if they were priced high. I would also buy star (sometimes I think that lesser known members have wonderful pieces that should be seen). Gloperators do their best but i imagine that often it is the popular who get featured. I commend all those who left links on the forum to lesser known artists (found some lovely work to look at as a result, so thank you). These are tools which can be used to promote the positive spirit within this community.

As for the brushes and layers etc... I have downloaded apps that charge for every little filter (photography). They show this amazing app but when you buy it you can do very little unless you buy the add on. I delete them and move on.

Not everyone would be able to purchase these special features. Often what you do in life is a reflection of the tools you use. I can see that eventually you would have many discouraged sketchers because by making the tools something that has to be purchased you remove for many the potential of achieving, growing and learning...having something to strive for. It's like giving someone a paper when they have no pen... Or asking them to reproduce a colorful rainbow when all they have to use is a black pen.

If you ask yourself what makes this a truly great app I don't believe your answer will be the layers and tools etcetera... etcetera... Other apps are out there and there will always be something new but It is the SPIRIT of its community that breathes life into this app. Part of that spirit comes from the sharing of information... Ideas... Creativity... And the willingness to take time from their own pursuits to encourage others from every level of skill from every country from every genre. I have heard clobbers mention on numerous occasions, myself included, how this club has got them through some hardship in their lives. Whatever BP does... It is the spirit in this community that is the wind beneath SC and that is what I believe should be encouraged. Keep it simple... Hearts and stars. (but I would pay for the folders and anything that would facilitate my being able to manage all the uploads)

I apologize for being long winded... Truly... I tend to think many steps ahead.

Oh! Sorry... Forgot to mention that I agree with Pretzlking about in app purchases. Would it be possible to buy them directly through the home page? Where only people who have and want them can go to. Not visible upon purchase of app but perhaps mentioned in text?

Great points, Rusty. And I know BP is on the same page as you as far as keeping a level playing field. I have discussed this with him, and he is against selling brushes or any tools through IAP. I have gotten so much from the $2 I spent on SketchClub that I almost feel guilty. I'm in favor of a big SC2.0 update, which I would gladly pay whatever BP decided to charge, but I don't think he likes that idea either, as it puts certain people at an advantage over others.

So, as I see it, the IAP hearts and stars are a great idea, and a way for us to send a few bucks back for this app and community that have given us so much!

Plus, I'm always desperate for hearts....

Oops....sorry I missed your second post, Rusty. IAP would be handled through the SC interface, but the purchase still goes through iTunes, even though you never actually go to the AppStore in the process.

And I believe that there is no way around having iTunes showing the IAP activity on the app's description page. But, as I said, positive reviews that explain that the app is fully functional without IAP would mostly resolve this problem.

I am glad to hear it... He thinks globally (think that is the right word) As for the hearts... Me too me too ... Need lots!

Well I'm on board whenever it ready.

you guys! having people suggest ways for the app to make more was never something i expected but has been a pretty regular thing. i'm so thankful for everyone's support and encouragement, i agree with Rusty StART we have such wonderful spirit in this community

i'm also not a fan of apps where you have to pay a bunch extra after you buy it to unlock the features you want. i love having the app be cheap and giving access to all the great tools and features to everyone. IAP for could definitely be interesting since its optional and gives a way for those who want to to subsidize extra awesomeness for everyone. i can see how having some IAPs listed on the store page might wind up turning some ppl off. a potential solution to that could be having a separate free SC community app where its just the browsing and chatting and social stuff and that could potentially include the IAP. might be a bit unusual though hehe, then again it could be a lot leaner than the full SC so people on older iPods would have a better browsing experience.

Thanks so much PK, Da, RS and bp for responding to my question. This app and the community of artists here are precious to me. I am a hermit by necessity. I have never had a way to to be together with other artists before, a place where my passion for art passes for normal behavior. I would just dearly love a way to have additional hearts and stars without learning to sketch faster. I'm old, I think if I was ever going to be fast it would have happened by now. Thanks PK for your very knowledgable reply. You know many things! And RusTy, good gracious girl! Your eloquent, that was awesome. Always love Da, we read the same books (about life and being happy). And bp, he's just a mystery to me, you know he's smart but dang, that 'insert taco here' grin he's got on his face... makes me wonder. App is awesome, community is awesome. Thanks again for your replies.

Wendy. Girlfriend. You and I are on the same page! And you said it for metoo: if I were going to be faster it would have happened by now! LOL!! I'm 68 and holding, at least until my next birthday and I'd gladly pay for some hearts. It takes me a long time to earn them!!!

Oh BP I forgot to say that I really like the idea of a separate community app .

We could have a completely different icon than a heart or star ...perhaps a crown or jewel we purchase that we can bestow upon a sketch we deem extra special. Could even have new gallery where those sketches re promoted to.

well the buy extra should be great
making it iap would be bad as iap can be abused as i did when i was still On jailbreak... i know the hearts and stars are browser based integration...and if you make it iap buyable jailbreakers will be able to get hearts and stars without paying whilethe non jailbreakers need to pay or wait long for it...

i used to use a tweak called iap cracker that bypassed the itunes payment check and just approved the iap purchase without the need to actual pay... (ininity blade as example: 1000 000 gold without even paying 0.01$)

Oh dear!

I'm down for buying hearts for sure. Maybe even stars as well. And layers, that was a good suggestion.

Also maybe a masking tool and select tool. That be pretty nice 😝

Great suggestion!

I am with bp. Cannot stand those apps that charge you more. Especially when there's a glitch. Apple throws up their hands at in-app purchases. Had this problem with imaginefx mag. Bought a year subscription but they just kept charging me every month every single time I tried to download that month's issue. Apple wouldn't help, Imaginefx told me there was no problem. So burn.... (:<
Also when you get a new iPad, some of the add-on purchases disappear.

Yes, I think BP has made it clear elsewhere in the past that he would not make features of the app depend on IAP. So any great tool idea or feature anyone has, if BP can implement it, will be free in an update.

But hearts and possibly stars are another question. Nobody would have to buy them, but for those that choose to do so, it would be a nice option to have. Anyone that didn't want to buy them could continue enjoying SC exactly as they have in the past! I, for one, would be happy to send a little extra cash to our endlessly devoted developer!

I for one love the heart and star ideas!! I need so many hearts and can't get them fast enough and when I want to use a heart for a drawing by the time I get a heart I've forgotten who I was supposed to give it to, so having the option to buy them would be great. As far as the stars there are so many awesome drawings that need to be featured but aren't because the gloperators don't know them to see the work to have it featured. Id love the possibility to be able to make some of the more unknown artists known in any way available. This App is like a big family and with big families you get some that are never seen or overlooked at times. I in every way support the idea to be able to buy hearts and stars so I can help the lesser known artists be known and so I always have a heart to give it when it's needed to give.
*BP* I just wanted to say thank you for this awesome App and I love the peeps on here and being able to see some awesome art that I wouldn't of been able to see and have made friends that I wouldn't of if it haven't been for this App and for me to pick up my drawing again and have it improve. Thank you BP for everything!!!

I often think the price I paid for this amazing app is way too meagre for the enjoyment I get from it! Count me in!