Editor’s Note: I was so excited when +1 Pen of Smiting agreed to be featured in this month’s Player Profile. I met Pen when they were a player at my SFS #1-08: Sanctuary of Drowned Delight table at Arisia 2019. We were all blown away by Pen’s ability to quickly capture the moment in adorable little drawings. Check out our interview, below!
How would you describe your style as an artist?
Messy, silly, sloppy, but pure. Somewhere between Cathy Lee Guisewite and Sandra Boynton, aspiring to shake hands with Phil Foglio.
What are some of your favorite games?
Does Pictionary count? (Editor’s note: YES!) Board games I like include Scythe, The Red Dragon Inn, and Splendor. RPGs include Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Pathfinder, and Monster of the Week. I don’t play online games anymore as I have children and want to keep them.
Are there any particular characters you like drawing more than others?
I like charismatic characters who live larger-than-life, have sharp wits and/or sick senses of humor. Obviously I’m projecting 😀
What got you into drawing art for RPGs?
I love drawing at my own table, when a group of friends are all cracking up or shouting over make-believe heroics or awesome fumbles, capturing the moment when a character gets to shine. Last summer, I was in-between contracts and, frustrated, wanted to tap into the things that made me smile. Not being in a campaign myself, I decided to invite myself to other people’s gaming tables–virtually, anyway–and draw THEIR heroes. I haven’t figured out a way to stop since.
(It is also a way to give back to a creator who is sending their hard work out into the abyss–I know how THAT feels!–so my cartoons were one way to show them and their fans that someone is listening. It can be a way to introduce new listeners to fun content and also a fun way to say “Thanks!”)
How can we follow you and your art?
At a safe distance, preferably. Online I can be found at:
Twitter: twitter.com/PenOfSmiting
Instagram: instagram.com/penofsmiting
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/penofsmiting
and especially at
Patreon: patreon.com/penofsmiting
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/L4L0CIOW
Supporting my art lets me do more, do it better and do it for YOU.
If players want to commission some art, what’s the best way to reach you?
Smoke signals are cool, but email is most effective at penofsmiting@gmail.com
Editor’s Note:
Here’s some of the amazing, on-the-fly art Pen did during our game at Arisia!
