Rainforest Shaman - Dreamblade

You may be aware that I worked on a little miniatures game called Dreamblade some time back. This blog is littered with turnarounds and work that I generated starting now over six years ago. Though it seems hard to believe at this point I still have more to share with you from that time in my career!

Today I have for you one of the first minis I designed for Dreamblade, the Rainforest Shaman. A sad little orangutan that I could have done so much more with... but I didn't know any better at the time and seems to have been good enough after all, it did get turned into a mini. This is what the final Rainforest Shaman turnaround looked like...

Rainforest Shaman
© 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Little monkey man on a rock doing something with his hand. First things first, the art description did call for him to have a lot less hair so that you could see his sweet tats... and originally he was suppose to have some sort of lightning or energy element to go along with his game ability to energize. The Shaman went through some different stages as we worked out the details and finer points of his gear and pose...

Rainforest Shaman - evolution
© 2005 Wizards of the Coast LLC

As I am want to do, I did have some extra time recently and I thought it would be fun to take a fresh crack at the Rainforest Shaman to see how I would go about it today, some six years later. I seem to be doing a lot of this lately, but I find it really enjoyable and I think it has been letting me evaluate how I use to go about solving design issues compared to how I currently solve them. Hopefully this will let me move forward with a better understanding of how I create. All that aside, here is the 2011 version of the Rainforest Shaman...

Rainforest Shaman Redux
© 2011 Christopher Burdett

First thing I did when starting on this new version was to get a ton of orangutan image reference. I know for a fact I looked up a bunch of reference six years ago, but to compare the images of orangutan I have today versus my original design I would think I had not used any reference at all. For one thing orangutan feet are AMAZING! Well, orangutan in general are pretty amazing in and of themselves, which is why I wish I had done more with the original. I think I came up with a much better solution for his hand gesture and over all it feel more like an orangutan and less like Dr. Zaius. Anyway... I think it is at least a better drawing and that in addition to having fun while drawing was the goal!

That is all for another Wednesday on the blog, 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

creatura libri sketchbooks 1 and 2 now available (supplies limited!)

Just in time for the holidays! I have a limited number of my sketchbooks, creatura libri and creatura libri 2 available on a first come first serve basis! This time around I am shipping to folks outside the US, but outside the US will need to pay extra for shipping (contact me for additional shipping fees).

I have a couple different price points to fit your needs:

Your very own copy of creatura libri OR creatura libri 2 (please specify) with shipping to anywhere in the US: $20 (additional fees apply to those outside the US)

Your very own copy of creatura libri OR creatura libri 2 (please specify) featuring an ORIGINAL hand drawn sketch on the first page with shipping to anywhere in the US: $25 (additional fees apply to those outside the US)

SPECIAL DEAL! Your very own copy of creatura libri AND creatura libri 2 featuring an ORIGINAL hand drawn sketch on the first pages with shipping to anywhere in the US: $40 (additional fees apply to those outside the US)

Send an email to: My Yahoo Account and I will send you my paypal info. If you need to send cash or a money order I will provide my home address, but I prefer Paypal. Supplies are limited and it will be on a first come first serve basis. Please specify which book(s) you would like to purchase and if you would like sketches when you email me.

You too can own your very own copy of creatura libri and/or creatura libri 2! Both featuring over 30 pages of drawings of creatures, monsters and all things tentacled!

Just look at them tentacles... those claws! And just in time for the holidays! Grandma will love it!

You like lizards? We got loads of that! Think of how proud your mother will be when you give her both books!

Be the envy of your friends and enemies by owning a copy of creatura libri and/or creatura libri 2 with an original sketch by me gracing the first page!

That is all for another exciting day on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! 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... Hobgoblin!

I have for you another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Hobgoblin! The first time through it was really hard not to pick the Hobgoblin for 'H'. At the time I felt I had already done a lot of humanoid monsters so I went with the Hydra over the Hobgoblin. Now that I am making a second pass I can be sure to remedy the situation. I present to you my version of a Hobgoblin...

Hobgoblin
© 2011 Christopher Burdett

Better equipped then Goblins and more organized then Bugbears the Hobgoblin is a real threat to the world of man. I continued with some of the anatomical arrangements I established with the Goblin so that they are visibly of a similar genetic stock. The Hobgoblins are much bigger and stronger then its more diminutive Goblin cousin. I really wanted to portray the Hobgoblin as a much more well organized professional soldier so I made sure his weapons and armor were well made and in good shape. It all came together when I found a great photo reference image I had (but didn't know I had) of an archer aiming high... the rest was super fun monster drawing time.

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.        

That is all for another Wednesday on the blog! Since there is a holiday here in the States tomorrow I most likely will not be back to the blog until Monday. 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 - Cyvus Vail

You of course remember Cyvus Vail from episode 18, Origin, from season 5 of Angel, right? Any good Angel fan would, right? I barely recall the dang thing and I designed it. So that everyone is on the same page, this is Cyvus Vail...

RAWR! I am an old demon... *COUGH* ...fear me!... *COUGH* ...I need a nap...

I was able to find some time to take a fresh pass at another monster that I designed while working on Joss Whedon's Angel series. This time around Cyvus Vail was the lucky winner. Here are the original "designs" for Cyvus Vail from 2004...

Wait? What the? This is just a photo of an old man with funny ears... what gives?!
© 2004 Almost Human

This "design" was done during a period in which I was not allowed to draw on paper at the effects house I worked at. I was to only make my "designs" using photo manipulations using Photoshop. In this case I was backed into a corner and was given a photo of a really old man and was made to give him funny demon ears. Oh, I guess I blacked his eyes out and gave him a weird skin tone since it was a black and white photo. I did have a little fun coming up with some funky patterns for his skin...

RAWR! I am mottled! ...and completely rejected as an option...
© 2004 Almost Human

I guess Cyvus Vail is best described as a very old demon mafia boss. He is hooked up to IVs of vital fluids all the time and appears weak, but he still holds much power. Cool right? How much cooler would he have been if he had some cool patterns? I bet LOADS more cooler! Unfortunately, just as I was being made to only use photo manipulations for all my design work the show's production head decided that all demons are RED. Bright, glaring, and with no modeling ...FIRE ENGINE RED. Go back and watch, a TON of the demons at the end of season 5 are all BRIGHT BRIGHT RED. Cause, you know, demon are red. So I painted a lot of bright red demons at the end of season 5. ...and Cyvus Vail was one of them. All that aside, here is my chance to actually finally draw a design for Cyvus Vail...

Taking Cyvus Vail back!
© 2011 Christopher Burdett

RAWR! I am now hand drawn! Feels good to finally be able to draw this guy. It may be pretty much the same character, but at least I was able to do it my way this time and have some fun drawing a creepy old demon that to me looks a tad like Bill Nighy. Beady eyes and a broad mouth... maybe it is just me. I thought he would look good in a big furry collar. I made sure to keep the next IVs going in the wrong way. ...even though my wife would have preferred me to correct it! On to the next art albatross that I carry around my neck...

Here are a couple extra bonus images from Cyvus Vail. Here is the BRIGHT RED makeup I painted that I mentioned above. With this makeup, there was a face piece, cowl and a paint of ears that more form fitted the actor and allowed less muffle hearing. After I painted it our hair person laid down the fine white hair that completed the look. You might notice I added some modeling to the makeup with a darker tone even though production demanding we didn't. I could not see sending out a flat even painted makeup to be then be put on the actor, it would have looked so bad...


Here are more of my pattern variations that were all rejected for the more desirable fire engine red complexion. No big loss in the end I guess, some of these may have been a tad too much and may have looked silly... but a little pattern would have been fun...


That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you on Wednesday! Until then...

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

Hymns and Wretched Offerings to the Golden Ones - Now Available!

A little while ago I told you about Jim Pavelec's upcoming book, Hymns and Wretched Offerings to the Golden Ones (there was a cool kickstarter and everything!). Well the book is not out and it is totally awesome! While I Illuxcon I was able to get my copies and it is jam backed with lots of great art and verse. It is even now available on Amazon!

The cover of "Hymns and Wretched Offerings to the Golden Ones"

Since the book is now out I thought I would share with you the pieces that I contributed to the book. Jim did an open call for demonic themed art and I was more then happy to submit work that I had that would fit the bill. In the end I had three pieces in the book and I am still thrilled to be part of Jim's project. Enough talk, bring on the monsters...

Retract - © 2011 Christopher Burdett

Community - © 2011 Christopher Burdett

Demon redesign 02 - © 2011 Christopher Burdett

As a reminder, here is a short list of the other artist that contributed to the book: Allen Williams, Allison Theus, Davi Blight, Jim Pavelec, Kim Feigenbaum, Mike Corriero, Mike May, Shreya Shetty, William B. Hand, Sam Araya, Paul Komoda, and Bob Eggleton. With a list like this, what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself a copy today!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

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

Terrors of the Silt Sea - Process

Before I left for Illuxcon I shared with you the Oasis Beast that I did for the Dungeon Magazine article, Terrors of the Silt Sea. I promised that I would share with you some of the work that went into this piece once I was back and settled and that day has come! I was working on the Oasis Beast and another D&D piece at the same time and both required me to design a brand new monster and compose it in an illustration. To save time with feedback and approvals I went ahead and did some concept designs and some thumbnail compositions using my favorite concept...

Oasis Beast Concepts
© 2011 Wizards of the Coast
Option 'C' was really talking to me and I had my figures crossed.

Oasis Beast thumbnails
© 2011 Wizards of the Coast
The monster says RAWR!I was on the fence between 'B' and 'C' and so was production. The decision to go with 'C' was made and I moved forward.

I had an overall idea of what I wanted to do with the piece so before I did the thumbnails I went outside in my armor and had the wife take some photos of me reacting to a horrifying monster. I used my three favorite poses for the thumbnails and thankfully my favorite was in the option selected. I moved forward with the final drawing. As I have mentioned innumerable times before, the drawing phase is my favorite part of the whole process. I always wish I had a little more time to spend working up the drawing. Working out issues and fleshing out the design I completed the final drawing and submitted it...

Oasis Beast drawing
© 2011 Wizards of the Coast
The Oasis Beast has all the teeth in Athas. There are now no more teeth for the other monsters to have.

Once approved it is now time to paint! Again, I had previously put some thought into what I wanted to do with the color before beginning so I knew where I wanted to go with the piece. There is always an ebb and flow to a painting and things don't always end up where I thought they would when I begin, but that is usually for the best. Here is a process progression of the painting. One of these days I will be more vigilant to document the 'magic' that happens between image 2 and 3 when it goes from the under painting to a more finished painting. In the meantime...

Oasis Beast painting process progression (HUZZAH! ALLITERATION!)
© 2011 Wizards of the Coast

After a period of time greater then an hour and less then four weeks I finish the painting. I must really keep better notes on the time spent on a painting so I give people a definite number when they ask. In most of my work there is a cool down time I build into my personal deadline so that I can finish the painting and put it away for several days to a week so that I can get a fresh look at it before turning it in. I usually catch little things that need tweaking and sometimes I will catch that big glaring issue I missed earlier because I was too close and too familiar to the piece. Thankfully I seem to hit the nail on the head every step of the way with this piece and when I turned in the final it was approved right away...

Terrors of the Silt Sea: Oasis Beast
© 2011 Wizards of the Coast

Another monster to add to the monster zoo in my head. If you have any questions regarding the steps I take or the process in which I work, please feel free to ask!

That is all for today, 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

Fresh from the drawing table... Giant (Hill)!

I have for you another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Giant, and to be more specific, a Hill Giant! 'G' offers up a lot of monsters and I knew it was only a matter of time before I needed to do a giant, so I figured no time like the present. Big and hulking monsters are some of my favorites (after monsters with tentacles, of course) and the giants offer that up in spades. I present to you my version of a Hill Giant...

Hill Giant
© 2011 Christopher Burdett

I was really looking forward to drawing a big dumb hulking giant. Once again I debated long and hard about reinventing the wheel on this one or to go with something a little more traditional. I considered a lot of ways to go really weird with it, but in the end pulled back on the design. The other giants most likely will have some crazy things going on with them when I get around to doing them. What really sparked this guy along was a piece of photo reference from another project that I never used. I really wanted to use this version of a pose but is just did not work out so I held onto it... and it finally found a home! RAWR!

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.        

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

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

The Project That Never Was (Part 4)

Continuing my coverage today of a big project that I worked on back in 2008. The project died before it ever saw completion and the work I produced for it has remained sealed away every since. ...until NOW. Please keep in mind while I can now share my work I can not divulge any other details regarding the project. If you missed any of this series of posts, you can see them here: PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, and PART 7.

In this fourth installment of turnarounds and I have for you the last variationsof the 'Devil Dude'. I produced the most variation and did the most work on 'Devil Dude', I guess he was a Jack of all trades and abilities. Before I say to much, bring on the monsters...

'Similar to the rest but slightly different Devil Dude' Turnaround
© 2008 Wizards of the Coast

'Super Beefy Armor Devil Dude - Now with ring hook action' Turnaround

© 2008 Wizards of the Coast

That is all for the 'Devil Dude'. I for you nothing but new and crazy monsters that I worked on for this project. Be patient, they will be along in the fullness of time...

That is all for another exciting week on the blog! See you back here on Monday! Until then...

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

Illuxcon 2011 - Wrap Up

I am back from Illuxcon 4 and getting back into the groove of work. First and foremost I would like to extent huge thanks to Patrick and Jeannie Wilshire for everything they do to make Illuxcon happen. Their hard work and effort allows us all to have an amazing and memorable 4 days of Illuxcon. Illuxcon 4 was by far the best yet and that is saying something with how amazing the previous two years were.

If you have not heard yet there was a big announcement about the future of Illuxcon... Illuxcon 5 in 2012 will be the last Illuxcon... in Altoona. Illuxcon 6 in 2013 will be held in Allentown, Pa in the newly renovated Allentown art museum! The future looks bright for Illuxcon! Hope to see you there!

If you missed any of my Illuxcon 4 posts you can use these convenient links...

Illuxcon 2011 coverage Day 0

Illuxcon 2011 coverage Day 1

Illuxcon 2011 coverage Day 2

Illuxcon 2011 coverage Day 3

Illuxcon 2011 coverage Day 4

Another successful snipe hunt! Tom Kuebler does it again with his amazing sculptures.

That is all for today, 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

Illuxcon 2011 - Day 4

Illuxcon Day 4! For all things there is a beginning and an ending and unfortunately Day 4 is the last day of Illuxcon 2011. Since no workshops or lectures were scheduled, artist were at their booths and everyone was having a chance to talk to them and pick their brains on all their secrets and pro tips. Also, the day was set aside for students and the public to come to the Illuxcon. The exhibit hall was absolutely packed and there was a lot of energy in the room even though everyone was moving a little slow due to repeated late nights. Day 4 is the last chance to see so much amazing art in person so I made sure to try to take as much in as possible and I think others were on the same quest. As the day turned to evening people reluctantly began their long journeys home. The show finally came down and everyone split into groups to have dinner. Everyone met back up at the Ramada for the last good-byes and well wishes. Now all that is left is to head home myself and I have a long day of airports and airplanes ahead of me. Here are the pictures of the day...

I picked up a Sam Burley original. A really nice little oil piece of a great looking sky.

Some of Jordu Schell's awesome beasties. I am pretty sure the one on the right says, "RAWR!"

The event hall was bustling with activity.

Shadowcore representing at Illuxcon 2011! Left to right, Chris Rahn, Mike Sass, Me (Christopher Burdett), Anna Christenson, and Tyler Jacobson.

Jordu Schell working on an awesome maquette.

Thomas Kuebler's Baba Yaga would love to give you a hug!

The show begins to come down...

First to arrive and last to leave... Ralph Horsley finishes up on the last row of the gallery.

One last look of the gallery before leaving, the end of Illuxcon 4, now to patiently wait till Illuxcon 5!

That is all for today and Illuxcon 2011! Time to travel home, see you back on the blog later in the week! Until then...

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

Illuxcon 2011 - Day 3

Day 3! Today is a day of photos... I do not have the time unfortunately to write a lot today. The night are late and the mornings are early. But it was another day of lectures, demos and workshops. A lot centered around Petar Meseldzija and his amazing work. ...but I gotta run so here are some pictures!

Painting demo and lecture by Petar Meseldzija in the auditorium.

Petar Meseldzija at the easel talking about not being afraid of the paint.

Petar Meseldzija begins to mix the paint and find the color and value he is looking for.

Petar Meseldzija's demo got extended when the Art Director's volunteered to move their talk to another room so that Petar could keep working. Here is his demo piece after he was all done.

Jesper Ejsing's WALL OF ART! So much candy for the eyes!

Jesper Ejsing adding to my Monster Manual 2! WOOT!

I brought my book of Petar Meseldzija's drawings I received for my birthday to get signed.

Not only did I get a signature, but Petar did a sketch!

The sea of art at Illuxcon 4!

The award ceremony this year was at the Ramada this year and really nice.

A group of us got together and did some sketching and drawing while we socialize. This was my drawing.

That is all for Day 3 at Illuxcon, see you back here for Day 4! Until then...

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