Genasi Armor Designs #4

On this bright and early Monday morning I bring you the conclusion of my Genasi armor for the Dungeons and Dragons Character Visualizer. I have for you the leather, plate and scale (with and with out cloak) sets. As I mentioned with the female sets I think the stand out pieces for me are the scale sets. I had the most fun with them and I really like the feel and look of the scales. In my humble opinion I think the female sets were more successful, but this is also in line with how I felt about the Tiefling and Dragonborn armor as well. I don't think I have much more to add about these sets, they were fun to work on even though I was not expecting the shear volume of initial concepting that would be involved. If you happen to have a Monster Manual 2 be sure to check out the Genasi half page piece by Lars Grant-West, the figures are sporting my armor designs interpreted beautifully by Lars. Enough of my rambling, here is the armor:

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This only leaves the Warforged armor left to show you. I will most likely start bringing you it the beginning of next year. I had hoped to have some new pieces for you on Wednesday but a previous engagement out of town has the whole day in an uproar. I will try to have to post to you on Thursday, but it might not be till Friday. Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Carrion Hulk - Dreamblade

Against my better judgments I am bringing you all of the Carrion Hulk that I designed for Dreamblade. I say 'all' of the Carrion Hulk because there is not much point in showing you just the final designs without showing you my first version.... though it pains me to do so. I originally designed the Carrion Hulk for set 3, Chrysotic Plague, but due to production changes unknown to me it was released in set 4, Anvilborn. This change was fine with me since it meant that the piece was eventually released. I know I say this a lot about my Dreamblade deigns, but this was one of my favorites and I was really looking forward to seeing it as a finished miniature. Even though this mini ended up being one of my favorites it didn't start out that way. It gave me lots of fits and starts and I was a little lost and overwhelmed with the art order. The Carrion Hulk (not it's original name mind you, but that is another issue all together) had the most complex description of any of the Dreamblade I ever produced. Faced with this challenge I took up my pencil and... choked... After several even worst false starts I turned this in as my first version of the Carrion Hulk:

I hold my head in shame. When I think back about this drawing I would get a twisting pain in my gut.

Looking at it fresh with a few years between me and it I can look at it a little more objectivity. Okay, it is not the worst drawing ever, but is lacking a lot. A LOT. Why am I showing this off? I must be mad. To help better demonstrate how I see the above drawing I have created a mental image simulation. So lets journey into my mind and look at the above drawing with all my art baggage hanging off it:

YIKES! I am a hack and need to give up art!

Much to my surprise I was not immediately fired from this job and in fact was given some very helpful feedback and direction. I put my thinking cap on and got to work on something better... which looking back at the first version would not have taken much. I actually was riding in a car on a road trip when I began the below drawing which ended up being the approved front view of the Carrion Hulk. I guess I needed a change of scenery to get my mind back in gear. So, after 8 hours of drawing I had the approved Carrion Hulk:

Carrion Hulk - © 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Okay... maybe I am slightly better then a hack.

The additional views were a piece of cake at this point and I quickly had a completed approved turnaround for the Carrion Hulk:

Carrion Hulk - © 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

To see the final production Carrion Hulk, click HERE. That is all for this week. I am knee deep in miniature turnarounds and loving every minute of it. Next week I should have some more armor, maybe a mini or two and some new work that some how slipped under the radio and came out the beginning of last month! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Hero System 6th Edition

Back in May and June I worked of some pieces for Hero Games on their 6th Edition release of their Hero System, an all encompassing RPG. I was able to work in some genres I generally don't work on which was fun to say the least. As far as I can tell the two core books for 6th Edition, which contain these pieces, was released in mid October. I haven't seen them in hand yet but I will assume all four pieces made it into the final product. I worked with art director Fred Hicks and had a lot of fun on them. I think the high point was the giant glowing radioactive mutant cockroach, but I think it is obvious when you look at the work. Enough of my yammering, here are the pieces...

Hur'shaas
© 2009 Hero Games

Post Apocalyptic
© 2009 Hero Games

Horror
© 2009 Hero Games

Cyberpunk
© 2009 Hero Games

You should never talk ill of your own work, especially in a portfolio presentation and an artist is always their own worst critic... needless to say these two items find themselves in conflict. I was really happy with how these turned out at the time and then I went to San Diego Comic Con and talked with folks like Todd Lockwood. We discussed how I could have made some of these better and things I need to make sure I am aware of when working on a piece. After that I wanted to crawl under a rock and burn my computer. I am not the first artist to be frustrated that by the time your work comes out that you have (at least in your mind) advanced in your abilities or how you approach your work. Please understand, I am not speaking ill of Hero Games, their products or the work I did for them, it is just that looking at them now I realize I could have done better for them. Oh well, live and learn, get better, repeat. I still like that giant mutant cockroach a lot. Until next time...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Genasi Armor Designs #3

I made it through the holiday more or less intact and due to a clerical error I was excused from Jury Duty the minute I showed up this morning. With all of that behind me and nothing but deadlines ahead of me, lets get to some blogging.

Today I am back on track with the first half of Male Genasi Armor I designed for the Dungeons and Dragons Character Visualizer. Included today are the chain, cloth (with and with out cloak) and hide (with and with out cloak) sets. The biggest issue with the Male Genasi sets was to make sure they maintained a masculine feel. Due to the openings and diagonal lines it was really easy to make them feel somewhat feminine, especially the pants. Went through a few pants variations before landing on some that worked. I think all of these are successful but none really jump out at me. I would have liked to have them a lot more detailed and fantastical. But the job called for something more simple so that is what I made.

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I hope to have some new work for you on Wednesday. I had a book released recently I worked on but have yet to see it in the flesh. I am always reluctant to post work that I have not verified in person, but I am willing to take a chance ;) Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Happy Giant Mutant Turkey Day

RAWR!

This is why I have ham for Thanksgiving! Hope everyone has a good one in the places of the world that celebrate the holiday.

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

WiP Podcast #9

Episode #9 of WiP Podcast is now live! This episode features a first hand account of Illuxcon 2009 and a round table dissuasion of a question I submitted to them. And what question is that? This one:

“When dealing with an open ended art order how much weight do you give to time / money when it comes to limiting the scope of the art. Doing something simple and “good enough” that take less time and energy versus doing something super awesome and amazing over the top that involves more time and energy. Were do you find a balance point.

Example, say the assignment is “Evil Tornado, Wind monster causing much havoc” that’s all. You could go with a tornado knocking some trees around and a person running from it… all the way to leveling most of a castle and keep with dozens of people fleeing in terror. As an artist, how do you go about making these choices and how does $$$ and final product ( trading card vs half page book art) affect these choices?”

You should really take the time and get caught up with all the episodes of WiP. The Gen Con episode is a must listen. I only wish I had discovered them much sooner.

Due to family arriving for the Thanksgiving holiday and the fact I have Jury duty a week from today I most likely will not have any new post until the middle of next week. If something major happens I will try to post, but count on my return the beginning of December. Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Ninja Mountain Podcast #41

Over on the Ninja Mountain Podcast they have part 1 of their wrap up of Illuxcon hosted by the world famous Jeremy McHugh. Nearly 2 full hours of exciting and interesting interviews with the artist and collectors that attended Illuxcon 2009. Oh yeah, I am on there too! Go have a listen. If you are unfamiliar with Ninja Mountain you are missing out, so get on that.

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com