The Grand bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Deluxe Edition - ONLY THREE LEFT!

I come before you one (likely) final time to let you all know that there are now only THREE remaining copies of the deluxe version of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. As a reminder, the deluxe edition comes with all three books (the illustrated novel, D&D stats guide, and coloring book), an exclusive clamshell case, and a signed, stamped, and numbered bookplate that features an original drawing. This is an edition of 100, and 97 are now gone. If you would like to add one of these to your library, now would be the time.

The deluxe edition of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

 

The best way to get all three books and an original drawing!

Do not miss out on this final opportunity to get one of these deluxe editions! Once these are gone, they are gone forever.

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

Deluxe Editions of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia NEARLY Sold Out

We went into Gen Con 2022 believing we would return without copies of the Deluxe Edition of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. We were incorrect, but not by much. We have only a few copies left of the Deluxe Edition, and they are all back on the store. I am shocked that copies are left, so this is your last chance to get one before they are gone forever.

The Deluxe Edition of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia contains all three books: the illustrated novel, 5E Dungeons & Dragons stats guide, and coloring book. Also included are the exclusive clamshell case and an original drawing on a bookplate that comes stamped, signed, and numbered. With only 100 made, they will soon be gone, so grab one of the last copies now!

If you have missed the links to my store before now, here is the link. Just use the drop-down menu to select the Deluxe Edition option.

That's 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

The Last of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Bookplate Drawings

After selling out of all available Deluxe versions of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia at Pensacon in February, I knew that I needed to get to work completing the remaining bookplate drawings. In addition to the Hardcover, D&D stats guide, coloring book, and an exclusive clamshell case, the deluxe version of my book come with a bookplate that is signed, stamped, and numbered (only 100 of them) and features an original drawing. Creating 100 of these has been a lot of work and one that I didn't fully anticipate to be as time-consuming as it ended up being. Thankfully, after one final push, they are all not completed. That means the last 21 available deluxe versions of my book are ready to go to forever homes! Here are some images of the remaining bookplates.

21 bookplates awaiting their stamps

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

 

Drawn, signed, stamped, labeled, and numbered!

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

Here are a few close-up images of the bookplates. These are fun to work on, but when I need to get through more than twenty, it can become a chore - but one I will gladly do again with each book I complete.

Monsters and beings come in all sizes and shapes in the Grand Bazaar.

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here next time! Until then... 

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

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - A Year Later

A year ago this week, my shipment of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia arrived. Two massive stacks of books were on a truck and finally at the end of their long journey from China. It was the end of one chapter and the start of the next. It was a shining moment in an otherwise dark time last year as the global pandemic raged. It has been a year, and some things are different, and others are very much the same. The pandemic still rages because of human failings, but the book has slowly gotten out into the world. Not in the way that I imagined it would at the beginning of 2020 when the Kickstarter launched. I still haven't participated in any in-person conventions or events since February 2020, but with IX only a month and a half away, maybe I can be in the same place with my books and showing them to people finally. To celebrate the first anniversary, I did a new photoshoot with the book.

 

The available selection for the first book in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia series. 

 While there is the main hardcover, there is also a 5th Edition D&D compatible stats guide for all the monsters in the book, a coloring book, and finally, a deluxe edition that contains all of the books, an exclusive clamshell case that holds all of the books, and a signed and numbered bookplate that features an original drawing. These deluxe editions are limited to only 100 copies.

Here are some of the images from last year of the books arriving. It was touch and go for a moment as they were unloaded, but the driver knew his palette jack and truck and got them on the ground in one piece.

 

Two massive piles of books that we ended up unstacking and restacking by hand to do a count and inventory check. 

Here are more images from the new photoshoot for the book. The previous images were fine, but I knew they could be better. I had been kicking this job down the road for a while due to deadlines and life, but it finally all came together. Will these be the last time I take pictures of these books? No. There will always be more.

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

The Stats Guide 

(Collected Guide of Reference Statistics and Cataloged Research Calculations pertaining to the Beings and Beasts of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra)

The Grand Coloring Book of Ethra VanDalia

Deluxe Clamshell Edition

Lastly, I have a new video featuring a look at the inside of the book. A little sneak peek of what the first book has in store for you. To see more, head to my store for details, images, and buying options.

 

A look at The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - A book 20 years in the making

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here next week! Until then...

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

Recent Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Bookplate Drawing

Remember when my book's Kickstarter began as a global pandemic decided upon us all just over a year ago? Yeah, those were fun times. Thanks to Jon Schindehette at ArtOrder, my book was published and released in the middle of the pandemic. That was only this past August, which feels closer to ten years ago. Out of the ashes of 2020, there are some things that I am really proud of, and The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is one of them. I wanted to share with you another recent bookplate that I created for one of the 100 limited edition deluxe versions of my books. I had plans to draw all 100 in one go, but after the 55 required for the fulfillment of the Kickstarter, I needed a break, and I have been drawing as they sell. We are up to 65 (actually 66, I am keeping number 100) copies of the deluxe versions gone, and I may take the time soon to draw the remaining plates. That is a whole lot of talking to share a drawing, so here a recent Grand Bazaar bookplate.

Drawn, signed, stamped, labeled, and numbered!

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here next time! Until then...

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

Recent Sketch Book and Artist Proof Drawings

Today I have for you a selection of recent artist proofs that I added drawings to their backs. If you are interested in getting any of these for yourself, just follow the links to my store. I have has a recent spike in artist proof sales, and some are actually getting close to selling out. Starting things off, I have a bonus sketchbook drawing. As a reminder, each of my sketchbooks comes with a free drawing, and while I am nearly sold out of my sketchbooks, I still have a handful left, so the sale continues. Here is a selection of monster drawings.

 

You, too, can get a FREE drawing just like the above drawings when you buy any of my sketchbooks - which continue to be ON SALE!

 

 

The Shimmerwing Chimera has suddenly seen a spike in its popularity.

 

The fan-favorite Stinging Lionfish makes an appearance.

 

Another Shimmerwing Chimera living large and in charge.

 

I have found the coveted peacock a challenging card to do drawings that I have been happy with. This is likely my favorite peacock drawing and will be the direction I take in future peacock drawing.

 

The ever favorite Shifting Shadows lizard monster seems to always make an appearance.

 

Lastly, the Loathsome Catoblepas made a rare appearance and was just happy to be included.

That's 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

Recent Sketchbook Drawings

Last year, I ran a big sale on all of my remaining Creatura Libri sketchbooks. Each book comes with a free drawing, and while I nearly sold out of my sketchbooks, I still have some, so I never ended the sale. I sold a set recently, and I wanted to share the drawings that went into the sketchbook. Also, details on the sale follow. 

You, too, can get a FREE drawing just like the above drawings when you buy any of my sketchbooks - which continue to be ON SALE!

As a reminder, all of my sketchbooks have all been marked down to a mere $10, AND they each come with a FREE original pencil drawing! That's right, for only $10, you can get a sketchbook with a free original drawing. I currently have three volumes of my sketchbook remaining to choose from.

 

The HUGE SALE on all my sketchbooks continues!

That's 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

I Came Here to Art

I had several ideas for today's blog post. There was a recap of IX Online so far, a look at some reused Dungeons & Dragons art, an update to my book production, or a look at a new Monte Cook book with some resued monsters in it. I had options to choose from, but when I got here to write about one of these topics, I was left without words. There is much happening in the world, and as much as I have tried to prevent it, it has bled over into my thoughts. Of course, how could it not? We continue to live under the specter of a pandemic that has gone all put unchallenged in this country. There is social and civil unrest. And the presidential election is tomorrow. I am not here to talk about political leanings, if you know me, you know where I stand, and if you read my book, you can probably figure it out as well. I don't have answers, and I don't know what the next few days, weeks, and months have in store for us as Americans or the world. There is a lot to be nervous about and to be afraid of. BUT I have done my part. I have done my civic duty. I have contributed to candidates at the state (including outside my home state) and national levels because that is what I can do. I am getting too old to fight in the streets, but I can fight with my wallet. 

As with much of the human experience, it is a group effort. We are all in this together, and we must work as a team to survive. Though I am not sure how many remember this fact anymore. I have faith that as a whole, we can find a way through this, but this is not the beginning of the end. This is the end of the beginning. We have a lot of work to do, no matter the outcome. I just hope that we have the strength, the perseverance, and the intelligence to do what must be done. Only time will tell.

So that I am not leaving you without any art, here is a bookplate that recently went out in the mail with a deluxe edition of  The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. If you want one of your own, you can get them on my store.

 

New bookplate for a deluxe edition of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. I hope to be back with some art 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

Returning to the Grand Bazaar!

Monsters and Merchants was only the beginning!

I am thrilled to announce that I have begun work on the next two books in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia series. While some of the prep work started before the launch of my Kickstarter in February, with the pandemic, the new normal, and more life events than I can shake a stick at, I took some time off from working on the books. Jump ahead six months, I am at a point to begin working again, and with that, I am sharing what I am working and what I have in store for the Grand Bazaar. 

Moving forward with the books, the even-numbered books will be smaller self-contained books that focus on a specific topic, event, or subject - while still giving plenty of information regarding the Grand Bazaar. The odd-numbered books will follow the larger continuing story arch(es) and focus on the Grand Bazaar as a whole, and larger events unfold. This will allow me the freedom to explore smaller aspects of the Bazaar that won't fit in a book like Monsters and Merchants and still maintain the larger stories of the Grand Bazaar.

Needless to say, these books take time to create, and they will receive as much or as little time as they require. Once complete, they will once again be crowdfunded on Kickstarter with the help of Kickstarter. With all that out of the way, let's have a closer look at what is in store for the next books.

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia  Book Two - The Completed Circle

The Completed Circle revolves around an ancient tale of adventure that originated in Thrakka. Much of the story has been lost to the years, but Reginald Blatherskite created a new translation of the remaining pieces during his full and well-documented career with the Impure Husk. The book follows along with the annotated translation of the ancient tale while giving a glimpse of the early years of the Grand Bazaar. Are you ready to follow a young Thrakese boy on an adventure to save the world? - or that is at least what the remaining pieces of the tale seem to suggest. There will be familiar voices in this book writing about various aspects of this ancient tale and its relation to the Bazaar of their time.

 

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia  Book Three - In the Black 

Picking up where the events of Monsters and Merchants left off, In the Black journies below the Grand Bazaar and the dangers and wonders that exist just below the surface. Many of the voices from the first book will return and well as some new voices to share their perspective on the events surrounding the uncertain future of the Grand Bazaar. 

 

My production board - Mid September 2020  

Lastly, I wanted to share an image of my production board as it now looks. It is set up again and has the key art placeholders for The Completed Circle, as well as the pieces from In the Black that I am currently working on. While The Completed Circle is the next book, there are several pieces I have been waiting a LONG time to create, and while these pieces are destined for In the Black, I could not wait any longer to see them completed. After I finish the pieces I am actively working on, I will switch to pieces from The Completed Circle and switch back and forth until all prepped work in finished. Once everything is finalized on these pieces, I will move into full uninterrupted production on The Completed Circle. Again, these things take time. We are several years away from the next book being completed. I will be sharing the art as I go and giving glimpses of the writing as it takes shape - without giving too much away. No one wants to see these books completed more than me, and I will be making every effort to provide them with as much time as possible.

That's 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

New Grand Bazaar Bookplates & THANK YOU!

I had a busy weekend of drawing new bookplates for deluxe editions of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia that sold and packaging up hardcovers, stats guides, coloring books, and more. First and foremost, THANK YOU, one and all that have placed orders for my books! It means the world to me, and it is so exciting to see the Grand Bazaar heading out into the world. It has been such a long time in coming that I am a little speechless, and hard to believe that the book is actually done and in the world.  So, again, THANK YOU one and all for helping make this a reality. Here is a look at the new bookplates. With only 100 copies, there are fewer each day. If you want one, I feel you may need to act fast.

I had to use my convention dolly to take the books to the post office this morning. This is a first for me, and I welcome having this problem. I would not have been able to deal with all of this without finally getting a mailing scale and using online shipping services. I have been resistant for a long time, but now I wish I had done it years ago.

 That's 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 Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is NOW AVAILABLE!

At long last, The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is now available for purchase! With all that is going on in the world, I am thrilled that this is happening only a month behind schedule. The book and the enamel pins are over on my store, and I have several options so that you can get the books and pins that you want. Here are all of the options available and some details on each product, and of course, welcome to the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia!

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Hardcover

The Grand Bazaar hardcover is the first book set in a world I first envisioned twenty-two years ago. The book features a red faux leather cover with embossed gold printing, 245 pages of art and stories, nearly 100 pieces of art, a fold-out map, and more! Take your first step into the Grand Bazaar with this book.

The Stats Guide

(Collected Guide of Reference Statistics and Cataloged Research Calculations pertaining to the Beings and Beasts of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra)

Want to take your Dungeons & Dragons game to the Grand Bazaar or want to bring some of the denizens of the Grand Bazaar into your game? Then the Stats Guide is perfect for you. This 84-page pocket guide contains all of the 5th Edition stats needed to use the monsters and beings from the hardcover into your game. The stats guide has been created as a book set in the Grand Bazaar and continues to world build and add to the story found in the hardcover.

The Grand Coloring Book of Ethra VanDalia

Do you like to color monsters and the world they live in? Then you will want to get a copy of the Grand Coloring Book of Ethra VanDalia. The coloring book features all of the main art from the hardcover as line art ready to be colored. Each page is backed with solid black to allow markers or similar wet media to be used without the need to worry about bleeding.

There are additionally several options to mix and match these books, or you can purchase all three books in one transaction!

Deluxe Clamshell Edition

Lastly, there is the Deluxe Clamshell edition of the books. All three books come in a special clamshell case. These are limited to an edition of 100, and each comes with a signed and number bookplate that features an original drawing. Over half of these sold during the Kickstarter, and once they are gone, they are gone.

Enamel Pins

Proudly wear the crest of Ethra VanDalia or show your support for the Yote and the Construct Guild with these high-quality enamel pins. Be the envy of your friends and enemies when you wear your Grand Bazaar pins!

That's 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