Talisman: Highland (part 2)

Today I have for you two more cards from Talsiman: Highland. If you missed my first post you can see it, HERE. No monsters today, per say - but real treats of the mountains none the less...

Tumbling Boulder
© 2010 Fantasy Flight Games

Mountain Goat
© 2010 Fantasy Flight Games

I had a lot of fun with the Tumbling Boulder. I initially went back and forth a lot wondering how much destruction it needed to be causing and how grand the havoc should be. At one point it was destroying an entire village, people fleeing in every direction, tress being knocked around like toothpicks. In the end I scaled it back and decided to go with something a little simpler and to throw in a little humor. The final art was cropped a great deal to allow for all the game content on the card so in the end I was correct in toning the scale back. In the final card you only see the running knight and the lower half of the boulder.

The goat... the goat may not be smart, but is really patient. Creepy creepy goat eyes!

That is all for today. I will be back here on Friday with two more cards! Until then...

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

Talisman: Highland (part 1)

Way back in September of last year I began working on the Highland expansion of Talisman from Fantasy Flight Games. It was great to get back into the Talisman universe. It is my pleasure to finally be able to share the work I did on the set with you. I produced 10 pieces for the set with 9 of them making it into production.

Rock Mauler
© 2010 Fantasy Flight Games

Manticore
© 2010 Fantasy Flight Games

I worked on Highland in waves. When I first began working on the set I could only take on two cards and these where the two I was assigned. I got them done much quicker then I expected and to my pleasure more were available. As I mentioned above it quickly increased to 10 cards total. These were some of my favorites to work on, because after all... they are MONSTERS!

I will be back here on Wednesday with two more cards from the set! Until then...

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

Taking the Imposing Demon back - countinued...

A quick one today. You might remember my post on Wednesday about the Imposing Demon. I had a few more spare moments to rework another version of the demon, this time around I picked concept "A"...

Another attempt at taking the Imposing Demon back!
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

Is this a better design? That is up for debate, but I will stand behind that this is a better drawing. I think I like the version seen on Wednesday's post better, but they all can't be your favorite. I might do the other two at some point for fun, but I have many other pieces calling my name right now to think about it.

I received my Pathfinder GameMastery Guide in the mail this week so on top of Talisman: Highland that also arrived on my doorstep this week I have a lot of freshly released work to share with you. I will get started with the Talisman work on Monday! Much to share! Until then...

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

My life as a crappy artist - Imposing Demon

You of course remember the Imposing Demon from episode 12, Potential, from season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, right? Any good Buffy fan would, right? I didn't even recall this demon and I designed it.

I was talking to Melissa Findley over the weekend and the topic of my Buffy work came up and I tried to remember all the demons I worked on, but for the life of me I couldn't recall them all. So I made the mistake this week of going back into my files to refresh my memory. So that everyone is on the same page, this is the Imposing Demon...

Imposing Demon on set with actor James Marsters who played Spike (the demon is on the right). Not the best photo, but you get the idea...

Big brown dangly toothy thing of a demon wearing a airplane pillow around it's neck. I should have stopped there, having refreshed my memory, but I didn't. I went and looked at the designs I did... and submitted to be viewed and judged... for all to see...

OH THE HORROR! Really craptastic drawings that I did just under eight years ago. I somehow thought those little gray squares were going to help...

© 2002 Almost Human

Now that I had something to jar my memory it all came rushing back. The Imposing Demon was used in a bar to waylay Spike in his pursuit of information. It needed to be big and scary and... IMPOSING. My job was to design it. Having fail miserably I turned in the four above concepts for Production to pick from before we moved onto the final. In house we were leaning towards "A" but Production went with "C" and I had to jazz it up a bit and try to make something out of it. Another failure on my end. We make the best we can with the tools available. No need to go into all the issues I have with the above... "drawings". No point in looking backwards, I want to look forward and I took a little bit of time and reworked the Imposing Demon design...

Taking the Imposing Demon back!
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

That was so much fun I just might take a little time and flesh out all three of those other designs and see what I can come up with! Remember, no matter where you are at in the development of your art you will progrss and improve if you stick with it and put in the time and energy.

Okay, I know I said on Monday that I was most likely not going to post anything the rest of this week. I just feel bad when I don't and this idea fell in my lap and wanted to share. I also finally received my copy of Talisman: Highland in the mail on Monday so starting next week I will be sharing the pieces I have in that expansion!

See you back here on Friday, I will try to find something for you. Maybe some more demons! Until then...

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

Fresh from the drawing table... Dragon!

I have for you today another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Dragon! There are not many other creatures as iconic and legendary as dragons. So with much trepidation I decided to give it a go and give this creature a pass as seen through my eyes and sensibilities.

Dragon
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

Isn't she a good mother! I will say that I have been less interested in approaching the dragon compared to the other so far. There is just so much baggage, lore and expectations heaped on the dragon that it can be a little overwhelming. I have been squeezing in a little work time on this one here and there for a while now and it is finally done. I am looking forward to getting to work on the next drawing... but you will have to wait till I post it!

My first 100 original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual redesigns (A - Z): Aerial Servant, Ankheg, Ant (Giant), Ape (Carnivorous), Ape (Gorilla), Axe Beak, Axe Beak (version 2), Baboon, Badger, Barracuda, Basilisk, Baluchitherium, Bear (Black), Bear (Brown), Bear (Cave), Beaver (Giant), Beetle (Giant) - Bombardier, Beetle (Giant) - Boring, Beetle (Giant) - Fire, Beetle (Giant) - Rhinoceros, Beetle (Giant) - Stag, Beetle (Giant) - Water, Beholder, Black Pudding, Blink Dog, Boar (Giant), Boar (Warthog), Boar (Wild), Brain Mole, Brownie, Bugbear, Buffalo, Bulette, Carrion Crawler, Catoblepas, Cerebral Parasite, Chimera, Cockatrice, Coutal, Crab (Giant), Demon Type III (Glabrezu), Demon (Juiblex), Demon (Manes), Devil (Ice), Dragon (Red), Elemental (Earth), Ettin, Eye of the Deep, Flightless Bird, Frog (Giant), Fungi (Violet), Giant (Hill), Goblin, Golem (Flesh), Hobgoblin, Homunculus, Hydra, Imp, Intellect Devourer, Ixitxachitl, Jackal, Jacklewere, Jaguar, Ki-Rin, Kobold, Lich, Lizard (Giant), Lizardman, Manticore, Mind Flayer, Minotaur, Naga, Neo-Otygugh, Nixie, Ochre Jelly, Ogre, Owlbear, Peryton, Pixie, Purple Worm, Quasit, Ram (Giant), Roper, Rust Monster, Sahuagin, Salamander, Shambling Mound, Treant, Troglodyte, Troll, Umber Hulk, Unicorn, Vampire, Wasp (Giant), Wight, Wyvern, Xorn, Yeti, and Zombie.     
  
To give you fair warning, this might be the only post from me this week. Much is going on and I have to draw the line somewhere. If anything major comes up this week I will be sure to post it as well if things ease up at all I will be sure to post something. Hopefully I will be back on schedule soon with loads of neat things to share! Sorry for the inconvenience...

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

Crypt Worm - Dreamblade

Today I have for you a blast from the past, a Dreamblade miniature design! This is the Crypt Worm from the Baxar's War expansion and was in fact a completely original design of mine that was accepted and turned into a production miniature. Though it is one of my favorites because it is one of my original designs, it holds a deep dark secret that shames me... a MISTAKE! Before we get to that, lets have a look at the design...

Crypt Worm
© 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I was waiting in a doctors office sketching and this creature started to take shape and before I knew it I was working on the complete turnaround for it. Though this is about five years old I am a little surprised to see some similar shapes and forms in this design that I just put into a new creature I am doing for a client. Granted I think I am doing a much better job on my new piece to pull off the forms. Just interesting to see that I apparently have shapes and forms I am drawn toward... that's the making of a personal style.

Anyway... back to my shame... I didn't even notice the mistake until this design was out the door and off to China to be turned into a miniature. I held my tongue for too long, I must now speak of my mistake. I am sure you have already seen it, but if you have not, I have a handy graphic to show you...

My shameful mistake...
© 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

SHAMEFUL! I forgot the tail that wraps around to the front of the body. Actually that whole side of the back view is all kind of messed up. At least it did not have any effect on the production miniature. You can see for yourself how the Crypt Worm turned out in it's final production miniature form, HERE.

That is all for another week here on the blog. See you back here next week for some more blog fun! Until then...

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

Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion (part #4)

Today I bring you the final installment of Gnomes (and Gnome related creatures) that I did for the recently released Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion. If you missed any of the previous installments, be sure to check them out here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. For the final batch I have for your viewing pleasure a BADGER badger badger badger badger and a portrait of an armored Gnome...

BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER BADGER
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

Gnome Portrait (toot toot!)
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

For the record I removed the snake from the sketch of the Badger before I submitted it. I was asked to remove the mushrooms from the sketch before I proceeded to the final painting. I couldn't help myself... I am actually hard at work on a new project for Paizo as we speak. I look forward to being able to share what I am working on with you in the coming months.

See you back here on Friday with a 100% less Gnomes. Try to contain the sadness. Until then...

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

Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion (part #3)

Today I have for you the third installment of Gnomes that I did for the recently released Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion. If you missed them make sure you check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my all Gnome review. I present to you for your viewing pleasure a Gnome fighter and a Gnome using the cunning TANTRUM attack...

Fighter Gnome
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

Tantrum Gnome
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

I was really happy with how these two turned out, they might be my favorite of the assignment. Had a lot of fun with the details and textures on the fighter gnome. His tunic was going to straight forward cloth and then it just sort of got out of hand as I was working on it. I can only imagine the horrid clamor that the tantrum gnome would make... all that wailing and clanging of metal and ringing of bells.

See you back here on Wednesday as long as my head does not explode. So much to do, but I only have myself to blame. Until then...

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

Witchwyrd (a GMG Preview)

I must be slipping because somehow I missed this last Friday. Over on the Paizo blog (a week ago) they featured more art from the upcoming GameMastery Guide. It just so happens that I was lucky enough again to have one of my piece featured! At this rate I won't have much to show you when the book actually comes out. Without further delay I present to you a Witchwyrd playing with it's orrery...

Witchwyrd
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

This marks the forth preview of mine from the GMG, if you missed them, make sure you check out Compass Rose, Ymeri, Queen of the Inferno and mimic. I can't wait till this book comes out, it is going to be awesome!

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. I will be back here on Monday with some more GNOMES (yes, there are still plenty more gnomes to come)! Until then...

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

Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion (part #2)

Today I have for you the second installment of Gnomes that I did for the recently released Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion. If you missed Part 1 you can see it HERE. I present to you for your viewing pleasure a Gnome going through the Bleaching process and a Gnome blacksmith...

Bleach Gnome
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

Gnome Blacksmith

© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

I really enjoy working on these isolated figure pieces for Paizo. One of these days I will not make them so static... but I am trying to work on that. Beware the crazy eyebrows of the Gnome, they crawl away at night and do the bidding of evil wizards... or not...

That's all for today, my mind is in a dozen other places right not. See you back here on Friday for some more fun! Until then...

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

Rollbots Attack SHIRTS!

A weekend full of visiting family, working on the monsters and ROLLER DERBY! I have for you today some photos of the Rollbots ATTACK shirts feature my art...

Rollbots Attack shirt (for the men)

Rollbots Attack shirt (for the women)

Rollbots Attack shirts and brochure

I was told that by the end of the bout all but 8 shirts had sold. Not too shabby! There should be more being made soon, so if they are and if they are made available to the public I will be sure to let you know.

That is all for today. I am a little overwhelmed so I am keeping it short. See you back here on Wednesday for some hawt Gnome action! Until then...

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

Good luck Jailbreak Betties!

Tomorrow at the Tallahassee Fairgrounds Rollbots ATTACK! Tallahassee's Jailbreak Betties will be going up against the Palm City Punishers from Ft. Meyers. Good luck Betties! Really looking forward to seeing my friends kicking some roller derby butt and everyone wearing Rollbots ATTACK shirts tomorrow. The shirts will look something like this... but on a shirt...

Rollbots Attack poster
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

If you are in the Tallahassee area and are interested I think there are still some tickets available. If you have never been to a Tallahassee Rollergirls event you are missing out!

That's all for another week. I will be back on Monday with hopefully some shots of the Rollbots shirts followed by a week of Gnomes! Until then...

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

Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion (part #1)

Today I bring you the first of several posts of my work from the recently released Pathfinder Companion: Gnomes of Golarion book released by the good folks at Paizo. First up is a chapter header dealing with Gnome settlements and communities...

Gnome Settlements
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

Not only was I only one of two artist that worked on all the interior art for this companion book, but the other artist was none other then my friend and fellow artist Jeremy McHugh! I was thrilled to see how well the book turned out and especially happy to see how well our working styles meshed in this book. You can see some of Jeremy's Gnome work HERE. I hope that we have another chance to share the pages in this fashion again soon!

My head is still spinning after yesterday's Daily Deviation over at DeviantArt. At last count I have about 3300 messages and activity alerts to go through (with all that free time I have). Be careful what you wish for!

I have a lot of irons in the fire right now, so there may be a lot of jumping around with the content on the blog in the coming weeks as new projects are released. See you back here on Friday! Until then...

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

My first Daily Deviation! WOOT!

I got up this morning to find a happy surprise, over 600 (and growing) messages on my DeviantArt account and that can only mean one thing, Daily Deviation! And it is my first one to boot! The lucky winner of this attention turns out to be a recent crowd favorite of mine, the Anglerphant. For a piece I almost didn't finish it has sure received a lot of attention! You can check out the Anglerphant's DA page HERE. A big THANK YOU goes out to DA user krissi001 for suggesting the piece to be a DA!

Anglerphant
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

I had secretly (and not so secretly) hoped that I might get a Daily Deviation some day. I should be careful what I wish for... now I have loads of messages and watchers to take care of! Though I think it will be worth it in the end.

See you back here tomorrow for some new work! Until then...

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