Revisiting the Monsters - Axe Beak

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Axe Beak. And this isn't my first version of this, but my third. The first one was finished - which I didn't like it, the second was scrapped mid-drawing, and that left the third version that I liked. Enjoy!

Axe Beak redesign (version 2) (2013)
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Black Crusade - Corruptis

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a trio of monsters from the RPG supplement Black Crusade. I was doing so many of these at the same time that many blur together. This one was fun, though the face came out a little smiley, but I think that adds to the piece overall. You would think a giant space demon would find a better way to read a book that burns them on contact.

Corruptis

Black Crusade

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Corruptis Drawing

Black Crusade

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have several recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to the backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I haven't done the Bribe Taker in a while, so it was fun to do one again. RAWR!

The Bribe Taker taking some bribes and breaking knees.

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Ant (Giant)

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Ant (Giant). Enjoy!

Ant (Giant) redesign (2013)
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter - Plaguebearer

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a quartet of monsters from the RPG supplement Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter. I always liked these monsters a lot, and I can see things starting to click for me in the creation of these. I thought I would revisit these pieces, share the drawings for them that have never been shared (it looks like I never shared the process either, but that isn't happening today), and show off a monster that is now sixteen years old. This is likely my favorite of the four that I did for this assignment.

Plaguebearer

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Plaguebearer

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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

Phaerimm Miniature

Today, I have for you a miniature based on one of my illustrations. I updated the Phaerimm for the release of Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerun. When I painted this piece, I hoped that there would be a miniature eventually made of it, and all I needed to do was be a little patient. To start things off, here is my illustration of the Phaerimm.

Phaerimm

Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerun

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2025 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Here are some images of the miniature so that you can compare them to the painting. I love that they did a fairly good job of getting all the creepy hand positions in there. I think it turned out really well!

Phaerimm miniature

Adventures in Faerun

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Unicorn

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my second pass through the book with the Unicorn. Enjoy!

Unicorn redesign (2011)
© 2011/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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