Gorgon Miniature

Today, I have for you a miniature based on one of my designs. I updated the Gorgon for the release of 5E. This is acutally the second release of a miniature for this design. An unpaintned version was released in 2021. This one is always a funny monster to me and is not the only time I have working on the Gorgon. To start things off, here is my design of the Gorgon. 

Gorgon - Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - Redesign

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Here are a pair of images of the miniature so that you can compare them to the design. 

Gorgon miniature

Monster Menagerie Revivisted 

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

Star Spawn Seer Miniature

Today, I have for you a miniature based on one of my illustrations. I updated and painted the Star Spawn Seer for Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse. I have been biding my time for this one. Not sure why I figured it would eventually become a miniature, but I have expected one to be made since I painted this one. We can add this to the growing number of miniatures based on my work, where I used myself as the reference. To start things off, here is my painting of the Star Spawn Seer.

Star Spawn Seer

Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tanji

© 2022 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This one looks great and is nice and awkward and gross. You can't go wrong with that. I always find it interesting to see what had to be changed and what comes directly from my painting. Here are a pair of images of the miniature so that you can compare them to the illustration.

Star Spawn Seer

Ghost Light

That's 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

A NEW Spectator Miniature

I have a recently released miniature based on my designs that has already been turned into a miniature. This time around, the miniature getting an update in the Spectator. I redesigned the Spectator during my work leading up to the release of 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. To start things off, here is my design of the Spectator.

Spectator (originally Gauth during the concept push)

5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Monster concept

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

The first Spectator miniature was released in 2015, with a second 2D acrylic mini released in 2023, and finally, the most recent version last year in 2024. While the miniatures have varied, they have continued to stay true to the original design. Now, the most recent purple and it looks GREAT! Here is a look at the new mini.

 Spectator

Adventures from Baldur's Gate

Lastly, here are images of the previous Spectator minis to see how it has changed over the years.

The previous newest Spectator miniature from  2024.

 

Spectator 2D Miniature from 2023.

 

The original Spectator miniature from 2015.

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

A NEW Gazer Miniature

I have a recently released miniature based on my designs and illustrations that has already been turned into a miniature. This time around, the miniature getting an update in the Gazer. I redesigned and illustrated the Gazer for Volo's Guide to Monsters. To start things off, here is my illustration of the Gazer.

Beholder Gazer

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The first Gazer miniature was released in 2019, with a second 2D acrylic mini released in 2023. The original was so tiny, and the second was more visually faithful to the design. This most recent version is a perfect combination of the two previous miniatures, merging diminutive size and detail. Here is a look at the new mini.

Gazer

Underdark Expeditions

Lastly, here are images of the previous Gazer minis to see how it has changed over the past six years.

Gazer 2D Miniature - 2023

Gazer Miniature - 2019

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

A NEW Fire Snake Miniature

I have a recently released miniature based on my designs and illustrations that has already been turned into a miniature. This time around, the miniature getting an update in the Fire Snake. I redesigned and illustrated the Fire Snake for its Monster Manual appearance for the launch of 5th Edition. To start things off, here is my illustration of the Fire Snake.

Fire Snake

Dungeons & Dragons - 5th Edition Monster Manual 

8x11 - Digital

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

It has been ten years since there was a Fire Snake miniature released, and I never imagined that it would get another version, let alone one that matches my original painting, in addition to being a vast improvement to the overall quality of the piece. The Fire Snake is a juvenile Salamander (which I also designed and illustrated), and I had a ton of fun working on its design and painting, so it is so cool to see it return. Here is a look at the new mini.

Fire Snake

Underdark Expeditions

Lastly, here is an image of the original Fire Snake mini to see how it has changed in the last ten years.

Fire Snake

Icon of the Realms: Elemental Evil Miniatures

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Nexus Ops

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have a big one from thirteen to fourteen years ago. It is not often that you are asked to redesign all the components of a board game, and when it does happen, you jump at it. I was already familiar with the game, Nexus Ops. I hadn't played it, and I still have never played it, but it looked like a fun game with a lot of cool monsters that get to be miniatures. I gave everything in this project 100% of my design sense and tastes and would like to think anyone familiar with my work would instantly see it in this game. In addition to designing all of the miniatures in the game, my hero illustrations of the pieces were used on printed game pieces, packaging, and advertising. For one shining minute, my art was everywhere. The turnaround was TIGHT and the payment was LOW, but I really wanted to work on this project and had a lot of fun working on it. Here is a look at all the pieces together and scaled accordingly, as well as a closeup of each.

The Nexus Ops Lineup of man and monsters

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

If you know me, I looked at a lot of real-world animals to base the color schemes for these monsters. One of the main inspirations was using the Eastern Box Turtle as the starting point of the Rockstrider. I wanted to give it a hint of 'angry turtle' in the face, and overall, the color palette and markings.

Crystalline

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Fungoid

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Human

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Lava Leaper

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Rockstrider

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Rubium Dragon

Digital

Nexus Ops
© 2012 Fantasy Flight Games

As a side note, you can see and read a TON more about Nexus Ops here on the blog. I have previously shared drawings, miniatures, packaging, and more related to the game and my work on it.

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

Cranium Rats in Disguise Miniature

Another week and another new miniature to share (though this is the last one for awhile). This time around, we have the Cranium Rats in Disguise mini that is based on my, you guessed it, Cranium Rats in Disguise illustration that I created for the D&D supplement, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse. I got to design and illustrate this new monster, so it is doubly fun to see it now as a mini. Here is my final illustration for the Cranium Rats in Disguise.

Cranium Rats in Disguise

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The miniature holds true to my design and turned out beautifully. I was secretly, and not so secretly, hoping that this one would get a miniature, and I am thrilled that it did. This was one of my favorite pieces for D&D in a while, so it is wonderful to see it in plastic. Here are some photos of the completed mini.

Cranium Rats in Disguise miniature front/back

Cranium Rats in Disguise miniature

That is 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

Razorvine Blight Miniature

Glad to finally have some new miniatures to share. This time around, we have the Razorvine Blight mini based on my, you guessed it, Razorvine Blight illustration that I created for the D&D supplement, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse. I got to design and illustrate this new monster, so it is doubly fun to see that it is now a mini. Here is my final illustration for the Razorvine Blight.

Razorvine Blight

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The miniature holds true to my design and pose and turned out beautifully. I began my career in gaming nineteen years ago when I started designing miniatures for the WotC game Dreamblade, and I have been hooked on minis ever since. So I am nothing but happy when I see one of my designs in plastic. It is truly a gift and a joy every time. Here are some photos of the completed mini.

Razorvine Blight miniature front/back

Razorvine Blight miniature

That is 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

NEW Spectator Miniature

I have another recently released miniature that is based on my designs that has also already been turned into multiple miniatures. Last week, it was the Hydroloth, but today is the return of the Spectator. Again, I am speaking loosely with the word 'new,' when this mini came out this past October. If you are curious about the first Spectator miniature or even the most recent 2D mini, I have you covered. Here is how the final concept design for the Spectator turned out.

Spectator (originally Gauth during the concept push)

5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Monster concept

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Who can't love a floating ball with a single eye, teeth-filled mouth, and tentacled eye stalks? While I have been a fan of all of the Spectator miniatures, this one is particularly nice. The paintwork and detailing is great and really make this monster look cool. Here are some images of the new mini.

The NEW Spectator miniature for all your new Spectator miniature needs.

Lastly, here are some images of the original Spectator mini so you can see how it has evolved over the past eight years. While the color on the original mini is closer to my concept, I do like the lighter green in the new version. 

The original Spectator miniature from 2015.

That's 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

NEW Hydroloth Miniature

I am always surprised with a Dungeons & Dragons monsters recieves a new miniature when one was released for it reletively recently. Mind you, I am not complaining. I love seeing minis based on my work, I am just surpeised. For clarity, when I say new, I mean October of 2023 - I am still a little behind on things and having to Shade and Glaze everything does slow me down. This time around the Hydroloth that I redesigned and illustrated for Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes has recieveda new prepainted 3D miniature. The first Hydroloth mini based on my work was released in 2022. To start things off, here is my painting of the Hydroloth.

Hydroloth

Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2018 Wizards of the Coast LLC

While the first mini had a unique pose, this new version is based directly on my painintg with the crouch and out stretched clawed hand. I think it looks great and is a more faithful interupitation of my work in plastic. Both are great, but I am definitely in love with this new version. Here is a look at the new mini.

The NEW Hydroloth miniature for all your new Hydroloth miniature needs.

Lastly, here again is the original Hydroloth miniature from two years ago so that you can compare the two minis and the illustration. I will have some more new minis for you in the coming weeks.

The original Hydroloth miniature from 2022.

That's 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

Spectator 2D Miniature

Today, I have another recently released 2D miniature based on one of my Dungeons & Dragons concepts. As with the others, this is a monster that already received a 3D mini, so now we have more minis, and that is a truly wonderful thing. This time around, it is the Spectator that I designed during the concept push for 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Here is how the final concept design for the Spectator turned out.

Spectator (originally Gauth during the concept push)

5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Monster concept

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

 

If you want to seek out the set this miniature is in, here is an image of the packaging. The 2D Spectator can be found in the Beholder Hive set of the D&D Idols of the Realms line of miniatures.  

Beholder Hive

The 2D minis are very high quality, and the printing is excellent. There are bases for all miniatures, which are arranged by size. Here is the 2D miniature of the Spectator.

 

Spectator 2D Miniature

I mentioned that this particular monster already has a 3D miniature. I always liked how the original miniature turned out, but this new 2D mini has a ton of detail and look awesome. Here is the 3D mini for the Spectator.

The Spectator miniature in all its glory.

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

Gazer 2D Miniature

Today, I have another recently released 2D miniature based on one of my Dungeons & Dragons paintings. As with the others, this is a monster that already received a 3D mini, so now we have more minis, and that is a truly wonderful thing. This time around, it is the Gazer that I designed and illustrated for Volo's Guide to Monsters. Here is how the final illustration for the Gazer turned out.

Beholder Gazer

Volo's Guide to Monsters

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

If you want to seek out the set this miniature is in, here is an image of the packaging. The 2D YGazer can be found in the Beholder Hive set of the D&D Idols of the Realms line of miniatures.  

 

Beholder Hive

The 2D minis are very high quality, and the printing is excellent. There are bases for all miniatures, which are arranged by size. Here is the 2D miniature of the Gazer

 

Gazer 2D Miniature

I mentioned that this particular monster already has a 3D miniature. As this is a tiny monster, the miniatures are always too small to get all the detail in. With the 2D printed mini, you are able to get a bit more in there, and it really reads well. I love how faithful it is to my painting, even at this size. Here is the 3D mini for the Gazer.

Gazer Miniature

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

Yuan-Ti Broodguard 2D Miniature

Today, I have another recently released 2D miniature based on one of my Dungeons & Dragons paintings. Well, techinquely, I have two, but it is the same monster in two poses. As with the others, this is a monster that already received a 3D mini (not one, but TWO minis so far), so now we have more minis, and that is a truly wonderful thing. This time around, it is the Yuan-Ti Broodguard that I designed and illustrated for Volo's Guide to Monsters. Here is how the final illustration for Yuan-Ti Broodguard turned out.

Yuan-Ti Broodguard

Volo's Guide to Monsters

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

If you want to seek out the set this miniature is in, here is an image of the packaging. The 2D Yuan-Ti Broodguard can be found in the Snake Den set of the D&D Idols of the Realms line of miniatures. 

Snake Den

The 2D minis are very high quality, and the printing is excellent. There are bases for all miniatures, which are arranged by size. Here are both versions of the 2D miniature of the Yuan-Ti Broodguard. Do you have a favorite?

Yuan-Ti Broodguard 2D Miniature - option 1

Yuan-Ti Broodguard 2D Miniature - option2

I mentioned that this particular monsters already has two 3D miniatures. I beleive there was a size issue with the first relelase and they have since corrected this oversight with a second, larger version. Here are the 3D minis for the Yuan-Ti Broodguard.

Yuan-ti Broodguard Miniature - sized small

Yuan-ti Broodguard Miniature - sized medium

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