Fresh from the drawing table... Brain Mole!

I have for you another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Brain Mole! Wrapping up the last of the "B" monsters this week brings us finally to a rather diminutive monster that likes to give wizards a bad day. I present to you my version of a Brain Mole… 

Brain Mole

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

Original - Currently not available

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

There were some really messed up monsters in First Edition D&D. I am not talking about horrid abomination from the outer realms or massive unstoppable beasts. I am looking at you creepy mole thing that eats mental energy. That is just there for the Dungeon Master to mess with the players... not that I have a problem with that, it is just weird and cruel. Oh, I am sorry wizard... but your spell and mind and getting nibbled on by that mole over there on the ground. I bet a wizard created these things to mess with other wizards. I thought about making these things big and super gross, but I decided to keep them small and moderately gross. Brain NOMS!

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 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

Fresh from the drawing table... Blink Dog!

I have for you another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Blink Dog! This week I have for you the final three "B" monsters that appear in the original D&D Monster Manual! First up this week is a crazy canine monster that has issues with its local in space and time. I present to you my version of a Blink Dog… 

Blink Dog

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

Original - Currently not available

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

What's this? A dog that is here, there, and everywhere all at the same time? A mortal enemy of the kitty cat Displacer Beast? What cantankerous and kooky conundrums can this canine create? Who knows... it is just a dog monster with location issues. I suspect that these things were touched by the Elder Gods and simply are not meant to exist on our plane of reality any more, but just have not figured out how to stay there yet. The Blink Dog was always one of those monsters I never really thought about. ..until now. I REALLY wanted to give them tentacles, but I thought it would confuse things when I was working on "D" and finally created my version of the Displacer Beast.

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 

HO HO RAWR!

Happiest of holiday wishes from me to you. I hope that whichever winter festival or celebration you participate in that it brings you fulfillment, happiness, and time with family and loved ones. I hope the Rancors and Gamorreans in your life can come together in the season... RAWR!

HO HO RAWR!

Happy Wookiee Life Day!

 

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

Illuxcon 2016 Main Show

There has been a LOT going on and I didn't want this new to go unnoticed. Last week the artist guest for the Main Show of Illuxcon 2016 was announced and it is a really outstanding collection of artists. I happen to be one of those artist that will be a part of the Main Show next year at Illuxcon. It is an honor to be included in the Main Show this year and extremely humbling. A huge thanks goes out to Patrick and Jeannie Wilshire and the entire jury panel for my inclusion in the show!

If you were unaware, Illuxcon is moving again to a bigger and better venue in the GoggleWork building in Reading, Pa. You can get all the info over on the Illuxcon website. I can not wait to be a part of Illuxcon next year in their new home and to be able to show next to friends, mentors, and heroes. It is going to be an amazing show, it is the show not to miss in 2016!

2016 Artist Guests for the Main Show of Illuxcon

That is all for another exciting 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

Air Caste Courier - Warhammer 40K: Conquest

I for you a new piece of Warhammer card art that was spoiled last week with the announcement of the newest expansion of Warhammer 40K: Conquest, Legions of Death. While the piece was painted traditionally the final art was edited digitally to give production what they wanted. Here is how the final production art for the Air Caste Courier...

Air Caste Courier (Modified final)
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board with digital edits

Original available over on my web store

Art Director - John Taillon
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

To compare that with the original painting you will see the entire image was color shifted more yellow and that the entire drop ship in the background was made significantly more yellow. While easy to do on the computer it would have meant a major edit to the painting to make happen. Here is what the original painting looks like...

Air Caste Courier (Original)
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Art Director - John Taillon

Original available over on my web store 
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

The drawing for the Air Caste Courier will also so another change that was made after the drawing and prior to the painting, the head of the Courier was elongated significantly. This guy could not catch a break... edits and every turn. Oh well, things happen... especially when I work on Warhammer...

Air Caste Courier - Drawing
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
17 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Art Director - John Taillon

Original available over on my web store 
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

Finally, here is a peek at the final production card that will coming out sometime first quarter of 2016...

Sneak peek of the Air Caste Courier in handy dandy card form

I will have more stories about the ups and downs of this piece (and some classic reference images of me as the Air Caste Courier) once the set is released next year!

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

STAR WARS!

With the release of Episode 7 and our celebration of Wookiee Life Day tomorrow, I thought I would share some of the work that I have created for the Star Wars games. Thanks to everyone over at Fantasy Flight Games for giving me a chance to play in the Star Wars Universe! RAWR!

Yoda - Digital

Salacious B. Crumb - Digital

Wicket W. Warrick - SOLD

Chewbacca - SOLD

Jabba's Rancor - SOLD

Trandoshan Hunter - SOLD

Heated Tempers - Digital

Armed to the Teeth - Digital

Arcona Rumor Monger - Digital

Knobby White Spider - Digital

AT-PT - Digital

Exploring Froz - Digital

Icetromper - Digital

DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle - Digital

The Droid's Task - Digital

Wookiee Navigator / Gunner - Digital

This is but a sample, I have done many more with still more to be released. Really happy to be able to share my voice from the Star Wars Universe with you!

ALL images © 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

That is all for a very Star Wars filed week, see you back here on Monday for something other than Star Wars! Until then...

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

Throwback Thursday - Bossk and me

For those of you who follow the blog or know me in person know good and well I love Bossk and Trandoshans in general. A million years ago in 2002 I decided I wanted to make a Bossk costume to wear to the premiere of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Easy, right? If not for the help of my amazing wife (who was not my wife yet) it would have never happened. I created the head and the arms and she tackled the flight suit. For 13 years ago I think we did a pretty good job. The color if his skin is not right and there a lot of anatomy and detail issues, but I an still really happy to have done it.

It was a lot of fun to wear and to make. The one thing I found very strange was the entire night there were Star Wars 'fans' constantly saying to me, "Wrong movie" followed with a "Meh". Mind you, this was at the premiere of the movie, no one had seen it, who knows if Bossk was going to make a cameo. Further more, what does it matter if Bossk was not in this particular movie? I found it such a strange response and even stranger looking back now. Funny thing is, with the animated Clone Wars series it has been established that Bossk was in fact active during the time line of Attack of the Clones. So, I win?

Here are some pics from the premiere night of Attach of the Clones to coincide with today's premiere of The Force Awakens...  

My Bossk mask. 

The mask and the arms (which are now painted gray for another costume) are all that remains from the costume. This was taken a year ago when I was going through some boxes.

Bossk and a Sith hanging out in line waiting for the 12:01am.

Photo by Achsa Nute

Bossk andfriends hanging out waiting for something to happen.

Photo by Achsa Nute

Bossk and some Sith just chilling out in a movie theater...
Photo by Achsa Nute

...switcharoo! There is a bounty for one of the Sith! RAWR!
Photo by Achsa Nute

FLEE! Flee tiny human at the arrival of Bossk! RAWR!
Photo by Achsa Nute

That is all for another exciting Thursday 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

Jabba's Rancor - Imperial Entanglements - Process

To continue a very Star Wars filled week I have for you today the process and steps that went into Jabba's Rancor, my contribution to the Imperial Entanglements expansion to the Star Wars LCG. I first shared this piece with you in July, just prior to Gen Con when it was spoiled as part of the Bantha Raider Villain Pack for Imperial Assault. This is still one of my favorite pieces that I have created for Star Wars. So that we are all on the same page, here how the finished painting turned out...

Jabba's Rancor

Star Wars LCG - Imperial Entanglements

14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Art Director - Zoe Robinson

Original - SOLD

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

This piece needed to depict the Rancor that lived under the main hall of Jabba the Hutt's palace. The rancor needed to be holding a Gamorrean Guard in one hand and needed to have the floor grate above casting a shadow on it. I was more then ready to take on this assignment! It was time to get started on some thumbnails and that means doing a photo shoot with a Rancor. Luckily, I know a Rancor I can call upon. Last month I talked about how I use my robust Star Wars action figure collection to help with reference and composition in my work. This is where having an amazing film accurate Rancor figure comes in handy...

Instant grate floor brought to you by the drying rack from our clothes dryer.

Before shooting the figure I worked out several ideas in my head and then shot accordingly. I shot a lot of images of the Rancor from many different posses to cover everything I would need. I also shot a lot of extra... just in case. Using the drying rack from our clothes dryer I was able to achieve the desired shadow pattern on the figure.

Jabba's Rancor - Reference sample

Pulling from my reference photos I worked out several posses and compositions of the Rancor. I used these reference composites to then create my thumbnails and further work out the environment and scene. For my first option I wanted to do something from Luke's POV of the Rancor. As the Gamorrean is about to be eated, Luke looks up at the Rancor. For the other two I wanted to go with something a little more straight forward. Cover my bases and give something that was a little more of a Rancor Portrait. Here is how the thumbnails turned out...

Jabba's Rancor - Thumbnails

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Thankfully, my first option, Luke's POV was picked. It was my favorite of the set, but you sometimes never know what will be selected by production. With the thumbnail selected and no additional feedback it was time to work up the final drawing...

Jabba's Rancor

Star Wars LCG - Imperial Entanglements

17 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

The drawing was approved without note and it was time to get painting. In just 18 steps you too can have a Rancor painting... or not. Here is a look at this piece coming together...

Jabba's Rancor - Process progression

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

This was a really straight forward painting, excpet when it wasn't. The secondary light source from the grate behind the guard and Ranor's hand was problem from the beginning. Compositionally, it allows a light source to rim light and highlight the guard and to make sure it all reads well over in a corner that would otherwise be dark. In practice it just was not working. This really was the only issue of this painting, but it plagued me almost the entire time. As you can see, I painted it out and repainted it several times. In the end, the most successful solution was to remove the grate. It turned out to be less distracting and actually seems to work better. Maybe if I had used a different color for the light? It took a lot of prodding from my wife, but removing it was the best choice.

To better show the painting coming together here is an animated progression using images I took along the way...

Jabba's Rancor - Animated process

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Once again here is the final completed painting as well as an image of the printed card. I am super happy with how the card printed. I have mentioned it before, but I have for the most part extremely happy with how my paintings have been printing. I really hope this continues...

Jabba's Rancor

Star Wars LCG - Imperial Entanglements

14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

 Jabba's Rancor in handy dandy card form

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

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

Me, the Toxic Avenger, and Star Wars

It seems like it will be a Star Wars kind of a week on the blog. Did not plan to do all five days... but it looks like it is gonna happen. For those of you who did not know, there was a time when I preformed as the Toxic Avenger at various events for Troma Entertainment. While being Toxie I got to meet several of the actors that were in the Star Wars films. While it would be nice to have pictures of myself with the actors, there is something kinda fun and weird to have pictures of me as Toxie with the actors. I have a couple of images to share with you today, they are from the 2000 San Diego Comic Con (Phil Brown) and the 2002 Orlando MegaCon (David Prowse and Kenny Baker).

Toxie and Phil Brown AKA Uncle-Owen

Toxie and David Prowse AKA Darth Vader

Toxie and Kenny Baker AKA R2-D2

That is all for another exciting Tuesday 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

Wicket W. Warrick - Star Wars LCG: Solo's Command

This is certainly a good week to debut new Star Wars work and that is exactly what I have for you today! A year ago today I was finishing this vary painting and now I can share it with you. I present you my painting (and drawing) for the character card of Wicket W. Warrick...

Wicket W. Warrick

Star Wars LCG - Solo's Command

14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Art Director - Zoe Robinson

Original for sale over on my web store!

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Wicket W. Warrick

Star Wars LCG - Solo's Command

17 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Art Director - Zoe Robinson

Original for sale over on my web store!

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

I was super thrilled when I was asked (MANY thanks, Zoe!) to do the character card for Wicket W. Warrick and I really wanted to capture the moment and feel when he was first appears on screen in Return of the Jedi. I looked at a lot of photos and stills from that moment to base my composition and palette for this painting. Hopefully I am doing that moment justice. I will have more about this piece in the future when I do a process break down. As with all of my Ewok paintings I am including a bit of blood on the weapons, since they are carnivorous hunters in such of meat to eat. I am super happy with how the card printed...

Wicket W. Warrick in handy dandy card form

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

Fresh from the drawing table... Black Pudding!

I have for you another drawing that is fresh from the drawing table. This time around it is a Black Pudding! I love the slime monsters! They can be practically one big tentacle if need be. I have been waiting to get to this "B" monster for awhile, but I wanted to get the most of the mundane monsters out of the way before I started on the monstrous monsters. I present to you my version of a Black Pudding… 

Black Pudding

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

Original - Currently not available

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

Historically, a lot of the slime monsters have been portrayed in a more passive slow moving form. This is true especially in the original Monster Manual. I like a much faster more animated slime creature. This amps up the danger and scare level, in my opinion. Slow is great, but a whirling mass of tentacles lunging at you as it dissolves everything it touches makes for a good monster / player interaction. Simply look at how the Blog was depicted in the 1950's vs. the 1980's. The 1980's version of the Blob was WAAAAAY more horrifying. Also, these crazy monsters come with a lot of resistances to attacks and damage to make them that much more of a threat. Maybe we need to keep that wizard around after all.

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 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