Gen Con 2015: Wait, what day is it?!

This is normally where I would post a story or two and some images from my journey to Gen Con and maybe some stuff from the set up. Well, I am already worn out and have had an amazing time and things have not even started yet. It looks like my coverage of Gen Con 2015 is going to have to wait till after Gen Con has concluded. Set up was brutally hot this year and it took a toll on everyone. I did get set up with only a few things left to do. I am really excited and it has already been an unexpected adventure!

95% set up and ready for the ride ahead!

Fear naught, I will be sure to cover the convention in when the dust settles. I will be sure to take lots on images and record as much of the comings and goings as I can from the best four days in gaming.

See you back here when the dust of Gen Con settles! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Viper Probe Droid - Star Wars - Force and Destiny Game Master's Kit

Another new Star Wars painting arrives just in time for Gen Con! While on Monday I shared with you the first piece of card art that I traditionally painted for Star Wars, this is the very first traditionally painting that I did for the Star Wars games last year. While the timing was bad for me to do anything new for the core book of Force and Destiny, I was able to contribute to the Game Master's Kit. I present to you my Viper Probe Droid...

Viper Probe Droid

Force and Destiny Game Master's Kit

9 x 12 - Acrylic and pencil on board
Original - SOLD

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Reference is your friend and I shot all my own for this one... because of my collection of probe droids. I am really really happy with how this piece printed. I never know just how well my work will print and I am even more clueless now that I have started working traditionally. I hope this is a preview of things to come because if all my paintings are going to print this well I will never have anything to complain about. Here is a scan of the page my painting is on...

Viper Probe Droid in handy dandy book form

Next stop for this painting will be Gen Con! If you are attending Gen Con 2015 be sure to stop by the art show and say hello ...and maybe buy something! I hope to see you in Indianapolis for the best four days in gaming. RAWR!
 
That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, the next posts will be coming from Gen Con 2015 and I will do my best to cover all the comings and goings of Gen Con 2015!  Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Jabba's Rancor - Star Wars Card Art

Just in time for Gen Con! I have been approved to now share this piece after a part of it was spoiled on the FFG Website recently. This is the piece that started off my traditional card art on Star Wars last year. What better way then to start it all off with the Rancor! Hard to go wrong with such an icon and cool monster from Star Wars. I have always loved the Rancor and it was really great to be able to paint it for the Star Wars games. Here is how Jabba's Rancor turned out...

Jabba's Rancor

Bantha Raider Villain Pack (among other things)

11 x 14 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Those attending Gen Con will be the first to see this piece in person and if so inclined can take it home with them. You know you need a Rancor on your wall! RAWR!

I mentioned that this was the first card art for Star Wars that I painted traditionally last year, well it is now one of many that I have created over the last year. Looking forward to sharing them all in the fullness of time. This painting was originally intended for a different project but was spoiled when reused on an upcoming miniature expansion for Imperial Assault. A HUGE thanks to Zoe Robinson for this assignment and being open to my transition into traditional paint!

Bantha Raider Villain Pack for Imperial Assault

If you look carefully you will see a happy little Rancor... RAWR!

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday for more new Star Wars work!  Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Fluffy the Happy Monster

Sometimes I know what monster I want to draw ahead of time and sometimes the monster just kind of develops in the process of scribbling on the paper. I found myself scribbling recently and my pencil got to wandering and this happened...

Fluffy

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

Original - Currently not available, contact me if interested

or come see it at Gen Con 2015 (7/30 - 8/2)!

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

I guess not all the monsters need to be snarling and out to taste man flesh. ...actually, Fluffy still probably wants to taste man flesh. He is so happy about tasting man flesh, look at that smile! RAWR! Here are so images of Fluffy coming together as an added bonus...

All images © 2015 Christopher Burdett

That is 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

Admiral Ackbar - Space Cephalopod on Toned Paper

As a companion piece to my Bossk toned drawing I have for you today a second toned paper portrait. This time around it is of my second favorite character and species from Star Wars, Admiral Ackbar the Mon Calamari. As much as I really like how my Bossk turned out, I think the one of Admiral Ackbar is my favorite...

Admiral Ackbar

8 x 10 - Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

This time around I did not need the distraction of an international plane flight to get the drawing completed, it just took not have power in the house for close to 30 hours do to a bad storm... and of course the fact that Gen Con looms near. Here is the drawing in its new little frame home all ready and excited about convention season. He is just waiting to go live to a new forever home...

Admiral Ackbar - FRAMED

8 x 10 - Pencil on paper

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

Here are some images of the drawing coming together in various places that could provide me with electricity and light... you will note the differences in lighting...

All images © 2015 Christopher Burdett

Here are the two pieces together all framed up and ready to go to Gen Con. Just look how excited they are! They will be even more excited to go live at you house...

Admiral Ackbar and Boosk - FRAMED

each 8 x 10 - Pencil on paper

© 2015 Christopher Burdett

That is 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

What's in the box?! 2015 Edition...

Looks like John Doe is up to his old tricks again and sent me a strange box that no doubt contains the head of a loved one... OR it might be something totally different and not creepy like in years past...  as in 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010. With Gen Con happening next week I have a good guess at what this box could contain...

The unsuspecting (yet somewhat smashed) cardboard box...

what mysteries do you contain to tantalize or haunt us?

It is not a head at all... but a mighty stack of books!

HOLY CRAP! creatura libri 5, AND there is a MONSTER on the cover...

I am a marketing GENIUS!

A mighty helping of both client and personal monsters!

Including the line drawings for all of my released Magic the Gathering Cards!

32 new pages that are just crammed full of 50+ monsters! RAWR!

With no new installments to my creatura libri series since 2013 I am happy to announce the release of creatura libri 5!  creatura libri 5 will be available for purchase starting at Gen Con next week and at Illuxcon in October. Most likely they will become available on my store in between the two conventions. Supplied ARE limited. If you missed any of my previous sketchbooks I will have copies of creatura libri 2, creatura libri 3, and creatura libri 4 available at Gen Con as well (creatura libri 1 is sold out and is out of production). As before, creatura libri 5 has space in the front so that I can personalize it with an original drawing if you so choose.

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

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab reference drop

I recently returned to a local aquarium, the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, and I have you today a collection of images that I took of this visit. This is a great facility and I don't visit it nearly enough. An unexpected highlight of this visit was the presence of giant isopods, or sea roaches. They arrived at the aquarium the week before and a suitable tank is still being prepared. The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab also rescues and rehabilitates marine life that is hurt or sick. They currently have a number of sea turtles on display that will eventually be released back to the wild. Here is but a small selection of the animals they have on display...

Giant Isopod or Sea Roach:

Box Crab:

Hermit Crab with clear artificial shell:

Hermit Crab with sea anemone attached to the side:

The working parts of a Horseshoe Crab:

Sea Turtle:

All images © 2015 Christopher Burdett

That is 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