Hello Dear Readers!
This issue of the Penflower Post is arriving a bit later than usual because last week I (somewhat begrudgingly) went on a seaside holiday. Why begrudgingly, you may ask? Well, I’ll share some photos and thoughts on the experience below, as well as some art, updates and links.
Why Holidays Are Difficult
Ever since I started drawing, writing and rolling dice (all things I love) for a living, taking a break from work has become less and less appealing. To be honest, I would identify as a workaholic. It is genuinely difficult for me to go a long period without thinking about my next creative project.
If / when I do feel like getting away, it’s usually for a short period and somewhere quiet and very close to nature.
To date, one of my absolute favourite holidays of all time was a weekend in a forest cabin in Veluwe, Netherlands.
However, last week my in-laws very kindly invited my wife and I to a week’s stay in Levanto, Liguria, as a late birthday present for her and early one for me.
What I Liked About Levanto
Levanto is a seaside town and gateway to the “Cinque Terre”. These are five historic and very picturesque towns along the Liguria coast.
While I did visit the Cinque Terre, I honestly found them pretty unimpressive. They all looked and felt very similar to me, crammed as they were with tourists and near-identical shops selling overpriced souvenirs and tat. Levanto itself, however, proved to be lovely. I’d like to quickly share my favourite aspects from this trip.
Evocatively Eldtrich Locations
There were multiple spots in the town that (with some appropriate filters) felt like perfect inspiration for a Call of Cthulhu game. Imagine Innsmouth but with a competent tourism board and located on the Italian Riviera.
The gallery below will hopefully illustrate my point.
I found more similarly evocative locations on a rather strenuous three hour mountain hike to the next town (Monterosso). For example, this image crudely etched onto a stone. Some kind of ancient serpentine deity perhaps? If anyone reading recognises the image, let me know all about your snake-god cult!
Light On The Water
I also really enjoyed being by the sea. Two of my favourite things in the world are the sound of crashing waves and the sparkling, shimmering way sunlight plays on water. When the beach isn’t full of people, I find both very relaxing and almost mesmerising. Below are some short videos, taken on the beach as well as from the boat we took to visit the Cinque Terre, and Byron’s Grotto in Portovenere.
PLEASE NOTE: the videos may not be suitable for those who suffer from motion sickness.
The Tunnel
I absolutely adored this tunnel. It used to be a railway tunnel, but is now solely for pedestrian and cyclist use. It connects Levanto to Bonassola. It’s really dark, quiet and most importantly cool. Whenever I was getting too hot or overstimulated, I made my way down this tunnel. It’s another pretty excellent Call of Cthulhu setting, actually… especially with the echoing roar of the waves and steady drip drip drip of condensation.
So, overall, I managed to have a nice holiday. I did some hiking, some swimming and even some biking: all good stuff. That said… I am still very glad to be back home in my office.
Speaking of which, enough about my holiday. Let’s have a look at some art!
New Commission: Newlyweds Portrait
Before setting off last week, I was commissioned to draw this piece by a dear friend of mine, for their mother’s wedding. It features the aforementioned mother as a turtle painter, alongside her new husband as a guitar-playing cat. This was a lovely commission to work on, and as I understand it, it was well received by the new bride and groom.
New Art Video: Yet Another Roll Table Character
Within hours of returning home from my seaside getaway, I was ready to start work on another art process video!
This is the third in my series of videos in which I design and draw characters generated using my new set of roll tables. In case you missed it, I published a text-only version of those table on my Patreon.
Pictured above: Sabrina Snowsong, the frostwyrm story-teller and shapeshifter, in both her true and human forms. Also pictured, Mr. Jaspers the snowman hand-puppet.
I would just like to add something. While writing up the story script for the video, I realised that I had inadvertently included some details that could potentially be construed as racial stereotypes.
I rewrote and re-recorded those parts of the video. I hope the new recorded sections of voice over aren’t that noticeable and – more importantly – that the video is now safe to watch.
Media Spotlight
- Check out Kevin Valliere’s cosy TTRPG system/game, the Mantelpiece Mage.
“Think of it as something like Tamagotchi or Neopets meets daily journaling RPG – but you’ll use your own painted miniatures, stuffed animals, minifigures, or anything else to tell the story.”
Kevin reached out to me about the game because it includes some character and character sheet art assets I created. - A short video by Andrewism on excellence as a duty to help and serve, not rule.
- The Letter You’ll Never Send is a quick solo game by Michelle Kelly for Solo September.
- Odd Artworks has published a goblin-themed TTRPG and will be drawing a goblin every day for next month (Gobtober).
- I love Kazdoura’s 2025 album Ghoyoum. Kazdoura are a Toronto-based Syrian/Lebanese duo who blend traditional Arabic music with psychedelia, pop and jazz.
That’s all for this issue!
As always, thank you so much for reading.
One last reminder that if you feel like supporting my work, you can buy something from my website or itchio, join my Patreon as a paying member, or commission me.
If none of the above are doable for you, please consider spreading the word about my work to your friends!
Want to try a space to hang out and chat that’s not a social media platform?
Check out my forum, PennySpace!
Until next time,
– Penflower