Kraken Miniature

I recently found out that a rather large miniature was made that is based on one of the monsters I illustrated for the 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. The monster I am talking about is none other than the mighty Kraken. I was able to get my hands on one and boy, it is impressive! The Kraken was designed for 5E by the super amazing creature designer Brynn Metheney and I was brought in to illustrate it for the book. I was also asked to rework the head as part of the assignment. Brynn gave this creature an amazing head, but production wanted something a little different in the end. It was a real honor to be able to illustrate one of Brynn's designs and it is still one of my favorite pieces from the Monster Manual. I never thought they would make a miniature of this particular monster so it was a huge surprise to see that they had. Here are some images of the miniature in all its glory...

I am really impressed with all the detail and how much it really matches the designs and illustration. The sculpture did an amazing job. ...and ALL THOSE TENTACLES!!!!

It just looks great from every angle!

YASSSSSS!

The miniature even comes with some little sandbars, a boat and oars, a treasure chest with removable lid, and a skeleton clinging to a ships wheel atop a pile of gold.

I think this is all pretty cool to say the least! Still trying to figure out how and where to display this one since it is WAY bigger than any of my other miniatures. There are worst problems to have! If you want to compare and contrast, I am including my illustration and detail sketches that I created for the Monster Manual...

Kraken

Digital

5E Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Kraken - Detail Sketches

Pencil on paper

5E Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

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

Dungeon & Dragons Monster Manual - Kraken

Release the KRAKEN!

For this installment of my work on the 5th Edition Monster Manual I have for you the mighty Kraken. I did not design this particular monster but I did illustrate it. The design work for the Kraken was handled by the super amazing creature designer Brynn Metheney and it was a HUGE honor to illustrate one of her designs. Here is my Kraken illustration for the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons...

Kraken - Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

As mentioned before, we were asked to create an additional series of detail sketches that would be used in the design of the book. Not all of the drawing got used for all the monsters, but they were part of the process. Here are the details sketches that I created for the Kraken...

Kraken - Detail Sketches

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

I will not be sharing the concept work that I used to illustrate the Kraken at this time. As far as I am aware Brynn has not shared her work on it and I am not going to beat her to the punch in displaying her designs. When I post about the process of painting this piece in the coming months I will then share the concept work. What I can mention now is that in the process of illustrating the Kraken I was asked by production to tweak the face/head of the Kraken. More on this as well will be shared in the process post.

Some cropping aside, the Kraken ended up in the book nice and big, but I don't think any of the details sketches made their way into the book. Here is a bad photo of the Ankheg page I managed to take at Gen Con...

Handy dandy book version of the Kraken for all your RPG needs!

A HUGE THANKS to Jon Schindehette for all the monsters and direction during the design phase of 5th Edition (and for including me in the process to begin with!) and to Daniel Gelon for the art direction on the illustration!

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

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

Photos from Children of Yuletide

A few weeks ago I shared with you my Krampus piece that I did for the Children of Yuletide show. I was thrilled to recently receive some photos from Mike Burns after he visited the show, and I thought I would share the images with you...

Krampus - All framed up and ready for you wall

18 x 24

colored pencil on toned paper

© 2013 Christopher Burdett

Living large on the wall at Grindcore House (1515 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA. 19148)

The contribution by the very talented Brynn Metheney

A big thanks to Mike for taking the time to see the show and for sending me these images. I sure wish I could attend! If you are in the Philadelphia area be sure to stop by and check out all the work it will be showing through the middle of January.

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