I am thrilled to share another new piece from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! This illustration is for Book Two: The Completed Circle and is the second of two key locations in the Grand Bazaar featured in the story, The Warren. The first of these locations was shared last week.
The Warren is home to many, including the Nefarious Criminal Despot known as the Basilisk, whom I shared with you in July. The Warren was meant to be a pair of joined luxury towers in the Grand Bazaar to rival Ethra's great tower. Things did not go according to plan, and the project was abandoned only to be taken over by those who wanted a place of their own, away from prying eyes and building codes. While the Warren was not specifically named in the tale of the Completed Circle, it is assumed to take place there. It is not a safe place, but it offers up much adventure for those who dare enter its halls.
The Warren
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - Contact me if interested
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
The Warren - Drawing
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for The Warren to show where it began.
The Warren - Sketch
Digital
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
The Warren - Tonal study
Digital
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
If you are familiar with my work and the Grand Bazaar, you might think the above sketch looks a bit different from the sketches I usually share in these posts. And that is because it is. The Warren got its start in my sketchbook. I am unsure if this is a shift in my process moving forward, but it was an unexpected result of having the sketchbook with me all the time. The current piece I am working on has followed my typical process flow, but we never know what the future holds, that's Ethra's job. I scanned the page from my sketchbook, cropped it to fit the aspect ratio for the book, made a couple of little tweaks, and used it as the starting point for this piece. I could not have been happier with the process.
The Warren - Sketchbook drawing
Marker and pencil on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
As a bonus, I have some images of the rendering process of this piece so that you can get a better idea of it taking shape. As mentioned last time, I used to have a set method of working on these pieces. I had one way, and that was the only way. Again, this one was all over the place. Middle and foreground, and then moving into the background. Sure, why not!
The Warren - Process
© 2025 Christopher Burdett
That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
