A Second Look at Older Work - Civilized Naga

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 fall through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have ANOTHER piece for Pathfinder done for Paizo fifteen years ago. Things are SUPER busy, so we are looking back again. This was always a fun piece for me. As with the Troll Auger,  I was starting to figure out a lot about painting, using reference, and what it takes to get a good image. I make monsters, it should be obvious by now, and one of the things I really like about making monsters is presenting them in non traditional ways. Sure, big scary monster saying 'RAWR' is fun, but showing what they do when they have alone time is ever better. This Naga thinks they are very pretty, and I support that type of monster energy.

Civilized Naga

Digital

 Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

 

As a side note, when looking back at this piece, I realized I never shared a process post for it. Not sure that sharing it now would help anyone, but it's interesting that I never took the time to post more about this one.

That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here Friday! 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 - Troll Auger

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 fall through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have for you a piece for Pathfinder done for Paizo fifteen years ago. This was always a favorite of mine. I was starting to figure out a lot about painting, using reference, and what it takes to get a good image. This was also a fun assignment to depict a troll carving out its own guts to read the future - because the troll can just shove them back in and naturally heal from this severe self-inflicted wound. I painted this in my old style of layer arrangement and structure - which might be only interesting to me. Not matter what, I am still happy with this little painting, and I think it deserves a second look.

Troll Auger

Digital

 Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers
© 2010 Paizo Publishing, LLC

As a side note, when looking back at this piece, I realized I never shared a process post for it. Not sure that sharing it now would help anyone, but it's interesting that I never took the time to post more about this one.

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here 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 Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a collection of recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs which I added art to their backs. And when I say recent, I mean January 2025. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I present my art on the back of two Magic the Gathering cards.

The Egg Token is still a favorite and gets a lot of dino drawings.

It is always fun to get to do some Star Wars art!

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

And Still I Blog...

Things are certainly interesting these days. I am dealing with work fires on multiple fronts with so much to do. There is certainly not enough time right now for everything, and a lot of starting to slip through the cracks. No, that isn't correct. I have to be serious about how I prioritize things due to my schedule as of late, and I find myself making choices I would not have previously. Namely, my art and blog are not getting put on the back burner while I put out others' fires. I am tending those fires for sure, but through it all, the blog goes on, and I completed another piece for book two over the weekend.

Another pencil gave its all to the cause.

If you want to see this finished piece before anyone else, all you need to do is sign up to my mailing list!

Historically, my art is the first to go when life gets complicated. It is the easiest thing to do. I forgo the things I need and want to address others' needs. I am definitely not avoiding my duties and responsibilities to others, but I am making sure my time is as important. There are extenuating circumstances currently for sure, and I will go into that in time. But overall, this is a long time coming and something I have been working on for decades - better work/life balance.

Okay, I feel like this was all a lot to say, "Hey, things are super busy. BUT the blog and my art are just as valid and important, and even though things are crazy, I am still making art and talking about it." That and I also realized I needed a blog post today, and I didn't have one queued up yet. So, it's a win/win. I can't wait to share this new piece for book two with you all!

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

Stone Armor - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

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 one of the supporting pieces for the Gallionic Gallowglass. I present to you some fragments of the supposed Stone Armor. It is said that the Gallionic Gallowglass wore armor hewn from solid rock. How this was done has been lost to time, if it ever was a real practice. That said, there are some artifacts in Ethra's collection that just very well be armor cut from stone. Maybe. I present to you with Stone Armor.

Stone Armor
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
8 x 10 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - Contact me if interested
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

Stone Armor - Drawing 

8 x 10 - Pencil on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

 

I do not have any extra stories about this that I can share now. You will just have to read the book. Here is a look at the sketch for the Stone Armor to show where it began.

Stone Armor- Sketch 

 Digital 

 © 2025 Christopher Burdett

I have no bonus process photos because I forgot to take them, and this one came together quickly.

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Rocky Horror Derby Show Derby Poster

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 fall through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have for you one of the roller derby posters that I made fifteen years ago. This is my second favorite of the posters I made. Not as popular as the Rollbots, but it was well recieved. It is hard to imagine that fifteen years ago, I had enough time in my schedule to allow me the freedom to take on projects like this to help out the local team. The local team has changed a lot over the years, and they neither do posters like this nor play locally due to a lack of venues. That said, we love roller derby in our house, and it was great to support our friends and the team when we could. You can read all about the work that went into the poster, shirt, and the process of it here on the blog.

Rocky Horror Derby Show poster (11 x 17)

Art only
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

Rocky Horror Derby Show poster (11 x 17)

Final with text
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

Rocky Horror Derby Show handout (8.5 x 11)

Final with text
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

Rocky Horror Derby Show handout (8.5 x 11)

Final with text
© 2010 Christopher Burdett

It took a significant amount of reference, work, and more work to get this one across the finish line. Everything was in my wheelhouse save for Frankie and Rocky - which is the main focus of this piece. But thanks to some really good reference thanks to my wife, we have this image.  

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

The Gathering is the Magic Clip: "Christopher Burdett - Narnam Cobra"

During Gen Con 2022, I had an excellent opportunity to speak with the folks behind the upcoming documentary about Magic the Gathering, The Gathering is the Magic. It was a lot of fun and always a good time to talk about art, monsters, and more. In July of last year, I did a follow-up interview where I spoke about my work on the game in greater detail, as well as other topics. Another clip from the recent interview has been shared, so I am now sharing it with you.

 

The Gathering is the Magic - A documentary about how Magic the Gathering brings people together, fosters friendship, and inspires with art and storytelling.

In the interview, I was asked to discuss the cards I created for Magic the Gathering. It was fun to reminisce about the art and monsters I made, the fan response to them, and the behind-the-scenes stories regarding the cards. This clip is about the Narnam Cobra. Enjoy the clip, and check out what else The Gathering is the Magic has been sharing! 

The story of the Narnam Cobra and how not to use real-world reference in Magic.

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