Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

Today I am sharing four of the miniatures from the newest expansion to the Icons of the Realms miniatures, Elemental Evil, for 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. While I was not involved in any way with the creation of the miniatures, they are all based on the monster that I redesigned for 5th Edition D&D. Always thrilling to see something that I had a part in creating turned into a three denominational object in the real world. Here are some images of the miniatures and my designs for comparison. I am really happy with how they all turned out!

Salamander

Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

My illustration for the Monster Manual and the miniature

It is the little details that really stand out.

The Salamander's crest is made of translucent plastic for a nice glow effect. RAWR!

Fire Snake

Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

My illustration for the Monster Manual and the miniature

Fire Bat

Note that the bat's skeleton is sculpted in negative on the underside and then painted. IMHO I think that is a great solution to the challenge of the design.

Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

My concept design and the miniature

Griffon

Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

My concept design and the miniature

My hat off to all involved in producing these miniatures. They turned out great and I can't wait to see more from this line of miniatures... especially the miniatures based on my 5th Edition monster designs! RAWR!

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

Dungeon & Dragons Monster Manual - Griffon - Redesign

Back to work and back to covering the monsters from 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons that I redesigned. This time around it is the majestic chimera of a monster, the Griffon. Here is how the final concept turned out...

Griffon - Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - Redesign

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

This time around they had a previous design they wanted to stick close to for the Griffon and I was provided a sample piece of art to base my work off of. Seems easy enough, right? Sure... here is how the thumbnail turned out for the Griffon...

Griffon - Thumbnail

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Unfortunately, I stuck too close to the provided sample and did not think for myself enough and carried over the anatomy that was not working just right. It was a great piece of art I was working from, but anatomy is one of those things that you need to nail, or fake REALLY well. It became very clear in my thumbnail that the anatomy I was working from needed some more attention. I was asked to go back and beef up and tighten up the anatomy for the Griffon. Here is how the revised version turned out...

Griffon - Revised Thumbnail

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Much better, and much more accurate to being a bird lion monster thing. Why didn't I tighten up the anatomy to begin with? I was told to follow the lines I was given and I followed... down the wrong path. Think for yourselves but make sure you still accomplish the task you are asked to do. Now that I had an approved thumbnail it was time to get drawing on paper...

Griffon - Drawing

9 x 12

Pencil on Paper

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Original Drawing - SOLD

The drawing came together quickly and was approved without any comment. I moved forward on the final color design...

Griffon - Final Redsign

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

The color comp of the final was approved and the Griffon was taken care of. Nothing too crazy or Earth shattering about this one, just a good solid classic Griffon design. When I get around to doing one for myself you might see some crazy stuff going on, but for the client, they get classic monster.

A HUGE THANKS to Jon Schindehette for all the monsters and direction during the design phase of 5th Edition!

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