Hello dear readers!
It has been swelteringly hot here at Penflower Ink HQ. This coupled with a still unexplained website domain disconnection has made the last few days decidedly not fun. This is, incidentally, why this post is coming out a day later than usual. Harrumph.
Regardless, time and energy was still found for fun and creative projects.
Let’s have a look in this short post!
Illustrations for Alboverse Setting Completed
Since my last post I have been drawing almost every day, and have finally finished all the artwork I needed for A Fruit-Moon For Bugworld.
Below is the cover illustration, and a short teaser video I made for the setting.
I’m really really happy with how the whole book looks and feels. It is my hope that – barring anymore technical issues – I will be able to publish the digital version on the 2nd of June. As I did with ALBO, my plan is to do some itch-funding first, to raise funds for the proof print version.
Balcony Gardening
We’ve tried to make the most of the sunny weather and have added more plants to our container garden!
We were fortunate that our new home has a pretty big, south-facing balcony. This has afforded us plenty of room for some decent garden furniture, but also lots of pots and containers.
We were gifted a chili pepper plant and a blackberry shoot as housewarming presents.
In addition, we have so far planted some green beans, tumbling tomatoes, basil, strawberries and marigolds.
Pictured above: Our two green been sprouts, tentatively making their way up to the supports we made using foraged sticks from the nearby forest.
Pictured above: Our “peperoncino grande” chili pepper plant (nicknamed Ariana. It’s just a pun, we’re not actually fans). Our now flourishing blackberry plant (which started out as little more than a twig stuck in the soil!).
Pictured above: our baby strawberry plants and two marigold flowers. The marigolds should hopefully protect all nearby plants, as they attract hoverflies and ladybirds, which in turn feed on aphids.
So far all the new plants are doing well, in spite of the heat. If we get at least a couple of strawbs or a couple of beans, I’ll consider our efforts a success!
It is genuinely so rewarding to see these plants sprout and grow from little seeds you put in the soil. Watching them stretch out towards the light and unfurl more and more leaves. They’re like amazing bio-mechanical machines, extending telescopic arms and deploying little solar panels.
RPG Trader Public Beta Launches
You may remember that a while ago I was commissioned to design the logo shown below. At the time, it was requested that I keep the purpose of said logo a secret…
Well, now I can reveal what it was for!
Fellow TTRPG designer Hugh Lashbrooke (of Ten Acre Games) has launched the public beta version of his new TTRPG marketplace platform: RPG Trader!
The site looks lovely (and I’m not just saying that because it features a lot of my art!).
Since they recently updated their content policy to exclude any and all so-called “gen AI” content, they’ve already had over 300 products uploaded. That includes ALBO!
The UI is very intuitive, and RPG Trader boasts some really cool features including revenue splitting and streamlined uploading from DriveThruRPG and Itchio. Give it a look!
Modular Character Sheet Pack + Expansions Megapack!
I recently published a megapack containing the original Modular Character Sheet Pack, as well as all of the current themed expansions. These are Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Nature, Steampunk and Vampire.
You can find both the digital and printable versions of the megapack on my website.
A Much Needed Break
Next week, from the 3rd to the 5th of June, I will be visiting the nearby town of Aosta.
I’ve only heard good things and am excited to explore. I’ll be sure to take as many pictures as I can, so I can share some here in the next issue!
Media Spotlight
– JP Coovert returns, with the third video in his series on how to make a Zine. This episode is all about adding art to your zine!
– I have a bunch of tabletop miniature figures that I love but have never had cause to use in a game. This video by Wightstar on turning a mini into a tamagotchi-like tabletop pet, has sparked my inspiration.
You can find the rules they used – “Teaspoon”/TSPN by Tanner Simpson – HERE.
– The indomitable Cezar Capacle has struck once again, adding a companion app to his player character emulator, Triple-O!
– Do you like bugs? Check out gurt’s charming “short educational experience”: Bugs Are Friends!
– Pride month (although every month should be pride month) is just around the corner. If you like knitting and crochet, check out Neneedle’s video showcasing a bunch of lovely Trans and LGBTQIA+ patterns.
– I recently stumbled upon another album that I really enjoy: “Telltale Signs” by the Singaporean dream pop band, Sobs.
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!
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Until next time,
– Penflower