For my submission to Rare Mfers - Season 1, I wanted to create something that would expand on the lore and characters of Sartoshi’s 1/1s.

Introducing “Right-click Dream”

While creating my project Sketchy Mfers, I spent quite a bit of time dissecting Sartoshi’s work on Foundation in hopes of gaining a greater understanding of how they drew. After some tests, I came to find this line:

https://twitter.com/jellopeas/status/1566085039049154560?s=20&t=CZiJdQXL3v5d5ZNNzcFjow

Sartoshi’s 1/1s are (I believe) a mix of digital and physical drawings that were scanned. For “Right-click Dream,” I wanted to create something that would combine the qualities of the two, so I designed a digital pen that mimics the bleed and action of a physical one more than the stock options on Procreate. I also believe it’s possible Sartoshi had a certain way they held their pen while drawing—straight up-and-down at times. Whether unconscious or conscious, this way of drawing gives an unpredictable quality to the lines. This is something I first tried when creating the stick period. That “gm mfers” you see on the projector screen was not copied over—it was completely recreated by me. All down to the soft shading made from scanning an image, just as like in the original (my shading was a lot softer though to make sure it didn’t overpower the piece).

Using this pen and up-and-down drawing technique, I’ve been able to create work with a similar feel to Sartoshi. And though no one can exactly match their sense of humor drawn in such an off the cuff way, it’s fun to try.

“Right-click Dream” actually came to me in a dream. Kinda a half dream I had as I was waking up to unplug my phone and turn off the alarm. I thought wouldn’t it be interesting if Sartoshi’s dad in r u winning, son? was curious of NFTs himself. When I was a kid, my grandparents bought me my first Nintendo for Christmas. It was a big thing back then, and I have vivid memories of my grandfather sneaking into my room while I was asleep and playing Super Mario Bros. I wanted to create something similar with Sartoshi’s dad with NFTs. Something that also combined the raw look of ser and toadz nightz.

Every line in “Right-click Dream” means something. Dad’s head shape was something I pondered hard over. “Normal” head shapes didn’t interest me after seeing the whole lot of them from the 1/1s in the Mfers collection. I wanted something that clearly showed choice, so I went with one that was big and looked like it was pulling away from the scene. If you look carefully at the left leg it has a small foot on it pointing away, also suggesting to flee. Dad’s eyes were by far the hardest part of this piece. Their shape needed to show curiosity and choice with nothing more than pupils. Out of everything in Sartoshi’s work, I love thier eyes…especially the manic ones. The hand in the mouth added a bit more expression to Dad in a simple yet overt way. It’s also something I hadn’t seen him do, so I wanted him to do it. The shading does a few things: mimics the texture of scanning, puts the whole scene in a dream space, gives a sense of time, and also gives Dad some literal ground for him to stand on as he makes his decision. I played around with drafts where Son had a subtle smile on his face, as I’m sure we all would have one dreaming of a Punk. But in the end took it out to put more focus on Dad’s decision.

I hope you enjoy “Right-click Dream.” A big thank you to @MLeeJr and @MasterChanX for reaching out to me to create a piece for Rare Mfers. And to Sartoshi for their continued inspiration for my art and exploration of it.