When most people think of comic conventions, they typically picture celebrity guests, people in costume, and the buying and selling of various pop culture memorabilia.

Steel City Con, the convention that takes place three times a year at the Monroeville Convention Center, has something extra more patrons may want to take part in: its charity work.

An event called the Artist Quick Sketch — or charity quick sketch, depending on who has the microphone — takes place in the event room the second day of the three-day convention.

About eight artists/vendors leave their booths for a couple hours and create pieces of art to be raffled off at $1 per ticket.

There are dozens of donated pieces for patrons to win as the professionals work on the live drawings.

The event on Aug. 12 raised about $1,200 for Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

“They put the magic in Magic Marker,” said host Mike Devine.

Jacob Valentin, an Indiana University of Pennsylvania graphic design and illustration student, has participated in the fundraising effort for the past few years and was a part of this month’s panel.

“It’s a nice way to have people get together,” Valentin said. “It’s always been something that I came to with my friends whenever I would attend the ‘Con. It’s nice to be up there doing what I like to do, and for a good cause, and making people some cool art.”

Valentin’s submission was inspired by a scene from Netflix hit “Stranger Things” season one involving the character Joyce Byers, who is played by Winona Ryder.

The August convention was a first for artist Richard Jones III of Columbus, Ohio.

His pieces featured Marvel’s Venom and a black-and-white sketch of Pennywise from Stephen King’s “It.”

“I love doing charity stuff,” Jones said. “If there’s kids that come by the table and they see something they like, I’ll give it to them for free. I’m a sucker for the kids, man.”

Jones, 42, said he has been drawing his entire life and plans to be back for the December show.

Some of the artwork featured different interpretations of cartoon and video game characters such as Mario from “Super Mario Bros.,” combined with an internet meme to make him a svelte man with a chiseled jaw instead of his authentic chubby self.

Jessica Borda, 26, of Spokane, Wash., won the image of a scary singing Jigglypuff from the “Pokemon” universe. It looked like it came from a B-horror movie instead of a children’s program.

Borda said she flew about 20 hours so she and her boyfriend could see “Shazam!” actor Zachary Levi.

“This is the farthest east I’ve ever been,” Borda said. “It’s pretty fun. It’s interesting to see what they draw up there. I’m not much of an artist. My drawing is awful, and I just love watching people draw because I can’t do it.”

SSC co-owner Bob Stein said the sketch fundraising began about 20 years ago, with the event usually netting about $2,000 per convention for either the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh or UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“We’re happy at Steel City Con we can use the guest artists to raise money for a great charity,” Stein said. “We rotate the charities, but for the last year or two it’s been for the Children’s Museum. I’m on the board of the Children’s Museum, and it’s just a great way to give back. They’re doing great things for the community, for our children and keeping art alive.”

Steel City Con has given more than $60,000 to various charities over the years.

“We are so grateful to the Steel City Con for finding ways to give back to the local community during their event,” museum spokesman Max Pipman said via email. “We value art and artists, and are thrilled to see that Steel City Con is able to put together a fundraiser that recognizes the impact that local artists create.

“The live sketch at Steel City Con is an entertaining fundraiser that makes an impact here in the Pittsburgh community. We are so thankful to be included as a recipient. It is great to see art and creativity be featured so prominently to inspire charitable donations at such as star studded and festive event.”

Pipman said the fundraiser supports the museum’s general operating budget, which allows it to “create exhibits and experiences that are innovative and inclusive.”

More than 250,000 children and their caregivers are expected to attend the museum by the end of the year.

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