Abyssal Chicken Prints at Gen Con!

UPDATE! The few remaining prints of the Abyssal Chicken are now available on my store!

Gen Con 2019 is just a few short days away, and I have a last-minute treat for those in attendance. After several requests, I worked with my printer and make it happen, Abyssal Chicken prints will be available at Gen Con! Each print is 11x14 and comes signed and numbered, but I am only doing a print run of 20, so once they are gone, they are GONE. If any are still available after the convention, I will put them up on my store. And if you were wondering, these prints ARE included in my Gen Con print sale (one print for $20 or FIVE for $40). Here is a look at the final art and the prints themselves.

Abyssal Chicken

Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Only 20 of these bad boy will be available!

11x14 Abyssal Chicken action!

Each print is signed and numbered!

I hope to see you at Art Show table #30 later this week in Indianapolis for the best four days in gaming! There are going to be so many amazing artists this year, and I will be having LOADS of great deals. This is the year not to miss. 

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, I will see you back here after Gen Con! Until then...

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

#NoobMeVsNowMe

I have noticed a hashtag going around Twitter, and I thought I might join in on the fun. It has artists comparing old work to current work. Mine is not exactly current, but it best illustrates the results of time, hard work, and perseverance. I have repeated many time here on the blog, the best advice I ever received was, "Draw more." You have to stick with it. You have to put the time in. You have to look for reference. Seek out workshops and courses that specialize in the work you want to make. Don't give up, it is hard, and it is rarely quick or easy, and it takes time. 

1996 vs. 2016

From player to maker.

On the left is my Lizardman character that I played in the second edition of Dungeons & Dragons and on the right is the Lizardfolk I illustrated for the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons book, Volo's Guide to Monsters. SO many bad habits that I fought YEARS to break are in that left drawing. I continued to fight those bad habits into my professional career. Even now, I have to push myself to not fall back on those habits, to be objective with my work, and push myself to be better. Artist continues to grow throughout their careers. We always need to draw more.

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

Gen Con Next Week - HUGE Sale on Prints and MORE!

Gen Con 2019 is next week! August 1 - 4 will be the best four days in gaming, and I hope to see you there! As a reminder, I am having a HUGE sale on much of my stock. I am clearing house to make way for the arrival of the Grand Bazaar and now is your chance to get some great deals!

First and foremost, ALL of my prints will be one for $20 or FIVE for $40! That's right, you can get any five of my prints for the price of two. This includes my Magic the Gathering prints, Star Wars prints, and Game of Thrones prints. Once most of these are gone, they are GONE. Second, if my original drawings are marked with red on the top, they are still 50% off! Third, I will be having deals and bargains on a lot of my other items. Lastly, I will raffle off a prize pack or two at the end of the con. You can get a raffle ticket by signing up to my mailing list at the show or one with each purchase (the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon, and you must be present to win). 

Not included in the sale, but still, worth mention, I will have a selection of my most popular art available as canvas prints on the wall this year. Priced to sell they are stretched and ready to hang in your home or office. Each is hand-signed and sealed, so they look great and are protected. 

Gen Con is next week! Hope to see you at table 30 in the Art Show!

I have a lot to do before the doors open next Thursday to mark the start of Gen Con 2019. If this year is half as great as last year, it will be a fantastic time. I hope to see you at table 30 in the Art Show!

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

Abyssal Chicken - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

It came to my attention last week that my contribution to the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons expansion, Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, was spoiled in June. With Gen Con next week I am glad to realize this before heading out to the convention. Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus is shaping up to be a fantastic addition to the Dungeons & Dragons universe, and I am thrilled to have been a part of it. While the style guide was full of many neat and beautiful monsters to illustrate, I believe I got the pick of the litter. I present you with the Abyssal Chicken.

Abyssal Chicken

Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Abyssal Chicken - Drawing

Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

In addition to the drawing that eventually became the painting, I produced a second drawing that was fully rendered. This was intended for use as a design element similar to what was done in the Monster Manual. Not sure if it was used, but I was really pleased with how it turned out. This drawing is based on one of the thumbnails that I created for the Abyssal Chicken that was not used. It is a little more dynamic, which is fun.

Abyssal Chicken - Suplimental drawing

Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The Abyssal Chicken is a weird and wonderful monster, and I am sure it will be getting a lot of use out there in people's game sessions. As always, a big thanks to Kate Irwin for aways including me on fun monster projects! Lastly, here are some of the images from Twitter that were used when Chris Perkins spoiled it... also there is a video out there where he talks about it too.

Abyssal Chicken Twitter spoiler images for all your... you get the idea.

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

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - Process

On Monday, I shared with you the newest addition to the Grand Bazaar of  Ethra VanDalia, the Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. Today I am sharing the process and steps that went into creating this drawing. This piece has been in my head for a while now. I knew it needed to be completed for the book, but it remained a rather daunting feat that I continually kicked down the road. Once I had plans to attend the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration Intensive, I knew the opportunity to tackle this drawing was finally at hand. Not only would I have a week of unobstructed work time, but I would also be surrounded by friends and peers in the industry that I could turn to for advice. I think it is safe to say that my plan worked out, and I was able to successfully finish this drawing, in record time, thanks to beginning it at the workshop. To get things started, here again is the completed drawing.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

30 x 20 - Pencil, acrylic paint, and ink on paper
Original - Available!
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

The challenge of completing a drawing of this size and complexity was not the only reason I kept postponing starting it. I needed to make sure that I had everything that needs to be in the Bazaar when it is being depicted so that nothing is forgotten. While I most likely will not be directly indicating what everything in the image is, I personally needed to make sure it was there for my peace of mind and storytelling. I maintained a list of the critical elements that need to be included. To be honest, with the sheer size and quantity of the megastructures in the Bazaar at the period depicted in this drawing, most of the key locations mentioned in the book can not be seen in this map. More on this another day. Like all of the other environmental pieces created for the book, I started with pencil thumbnails to work out the rough ideas and to begin to lay the Bazaar out.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - Thumbnail

  11 x 8.5 - Pencil on paper
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

Once I had the thumbnail more or less where it needed to be, I scanned it and began the digital sketch to work out the larger elements and details. The Bazaar finally started taking shape at this point. From the megastructures, the port, and the very landscape, I needed to make sure they were arranged and depicted for aspects of the story. Some of these aspects are not for this book, but for later stories. Here is the final digital sketch for the Bazaar.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - Sketch

  11.2 x 7.5 - Digital
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

Now that the digital sketch is complete, it was time to upscale it, reduce the opacity, and transfer it to the paper. I have a large format print shop in town that helps me with that. I had initially planned to go to the workshop with my sketch and blank paper. I would discuss the drawing and make any needed changes, at which point I would transfer the sketch to the paper by hand using a projector. That is the way it SHOULD be done. The only issue is that I would lose a LOT of time and spend a LOT of energy transferring a sketch containing many elements that can not be changed. The goal and purpose of programs like the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration Intensive are to take your ideas, push you to make something better and beyond your current skill set and have you leave with something greater than you arrived with. I was coming with a piece already planned out, that was for a book I have been working on for years, containing a LOT of content and details that are not up for revision. I was in no way against edits, changes, and modifications, but there were limits to what I could do to this piece and still be what it needs for the project. At the end of the day, I weighed my options, and at the last minute, I went ahead a had the sketch printed on the paper so that I could more effectively use my time at the workshop producing this piece. During the critique, I did get some critical feedback. I needed to adjust the perspective of the aqueducts and the farmlands. Both were a bit wonky in the sketch. I needed to be sure that the exterior wall was taller and more extensive in the foreground than the areas of the Bazaar in the distance. It was suggested, by someone not even attending the workshop, that I better emphasize Ethra's tower to make it more prominent and to create a more sizable landmark in the skyline. I am sure I forget one or two other pieces of feedback, but these were the main ones. These revisions were quickly addressed as I began working on linework and made a significant difference in the final drawings. Here is the final line work that I scanned before starting the rendering.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - Drawing

30 x 20 - Pencil on paper
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

The rest was just hard work. The linework came together rather quickly and was a lot of fun. The black render pass always takes the longest and is the hardest part of making one of these drawings. It is, after all, when all of the form, lighting, and detail takes form. When I arrive at the white render, paint, and ink passes, the drawing quickly comes to completion. Laying down the white pencil and paint is also a lot of fun. Here are some images of the drawing taking shape to showsee how I move around the paper to complete a drawing of this size and complexity.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - Process

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Riflemen, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

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

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Today I have, at long last, the largest piece that I will be creating for The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. This piece is a cutaway view of the Grand Bazaar so that you can see what is going on under the tenting. I began this piece at the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration Intensive, and it was the guidance, support, and time that I received there that helped me tackle this piece as quickly as I did. It also helps to get several pairs of eyes on a piece of this size to make sure you have everything addressed. There is a lot to say about this piece, some of which I can not share, but on Wednesday, I will be sharing the process and steps that went into making this piece a reality. I will be including the feedback I received at the workshop as well. Without further rambling from me, here is the Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia.

The Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

30 x 20 - Pencil, acrylic paint, and ink on paper
Original - Available!
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Riflemen, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

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

Yet Another Unexpected Installation

Please note that this post is going up very late and directly follows a post from February. This also relates to some of the other installations I have shared. Now that is all squared away, a new installation appeared after the one in February was quickly destroyed. It lasted a little longer, but in time, it too vanished. I imagine that is the nature of these things and intended from the start. This installation built off the previous installation remains as well as added a couple new elements. This is currently the last installation I have discovered. Hopefully, more will appear soon. Here is a look at the installation.

The largest chunk of the Native American bust was set back up in the corner with something on it.

Looks like a birdcage with a baseball in it?

GAH! IT'S EVIL! Just the way I like it.

On the other side, a phone was incorporated into the surrounding in a very clever way.

This call is for you! My photo of the hashtag was super blurry, and I don't really remember what was written on it.

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

Gazer Miniature - Monster Menagerie 3

Last year the Monster Menagerie 3 miniature set was released, and in that set, you can find a Gazer miniature. You might remember that I designed and illustrated the Gazer for Volo's Guide to Monster. It is always exciting to see miniatures based on my work, and this one is no exception, though you have to look very closely. Here is my illustration of the Gazer to start things off.

Beholder Gazer

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I knew that this monster was not the largest creature on the block, but I guess I didn't imagine it being a very tiny monster. The miniature makes it clear just how tiny it is. It was a little challenging to get some image, here are the best that I was able to take.

Beholder Gazer miniature in all its MINIATURE glory!

I have had plenty of larger miniatures made of my work, but this is most definitely the smallest. All the same, it is always exciting to see something I designed living in the real world as a piece of plastic.  For better or worse it will be around longer than humans usually last.

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

Corrupted Sample (Dormant) - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Today's piece of spot art is the Corrupted Sample (Dormant). This relates to the Corrupted Knight section of the book, and Ethra will make mention of it. I can not say too much more without giving some things away, so I will leave it at that. 

Corrupted Sample (Dormant)
8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2019 Christopher Burdett

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Riflemen, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

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

Ghoul - Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

In the last couple of weeks, the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit has been released at Target stores, and I have two pieces in the monster manual section of the kit. One piece is new, and the second is an encore appearance. The new piece is a rather focused Dwarvian Ghoul that has her eye on you. Here is how that Ghoul turned out, as well as the drawing for it.

Ghoul

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Ghoul

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Original available on my store!

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This was a fun one to work on and the first piece of client work I have done in a while, though there is more where this came from. A big thanks to Kate Irwin for aways including me on fun monster projects. It is exciting to see this kit on the shelf at Target! I hope that it is a good starting point for a new generation of D&D players.

As I previously mentioned, the Ankheg that I produced for the 5E Monster Manual returned to appear in the kit. In the 5E MM, the Ankheg was cropped a bit, but in the kit, you can see the entire painting. This was one of my favorite designs and illustrations that I have done for 5E.

Ankheg

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Daniel Gelon

© 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here after the long holiday weekend. Until then...

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

Inifinity Con 2019 Recap

This past Saturday marked the first Infinity Con in Tallahassee, and I can not say enough good things about it. Tallahassee has had a rocky history when it comes to conventions and it was generally assumed that the city just could not sustain an event such as a comic con. This weekend proved everyone wrong! The turn out was great, I never had a slow moment at my booth, and everyone looked to be having a great time. It was exciting to see so much fun and excitement being had in an event like this in Tallahassee. A huge thanks to David Heringer and everyone that was part of Infinity Con for inviting me out to the event and making such a wonderful day. Can't wait till next year! Here are some images from the day, I wish I had taken more, but I was too busy - not a bad problem.

Set up was Friday evening.

There was a lot of empty space Friday when I was done setting up, but I knew it would soon be filled.

My table all set up and ready to go. Used the L formation to bring people in and not block the isles.

Nightmare Theather out of Pensacola was representing. 

There was a slow start (like maybe the first thirty minutes) to Saturday morning, but soon it exploded.

My local comic shop, Fallout Comics, was in attendance!

It's Mittens from Nightmare Theater!

My photos will never do the crowds justice. I was so happy to see crowded aisles and smiling faces.

The other featured creators were seeing a ton of interest.

A sketch on the back of a Magic artist proof. 

I SOMEHOW ended up on ANOTHER panel with this dude Mark Maddox... Mark is fantastic and does amazing work, and it is always fun to be able to share the stage with him.

Some folks came to hear us talk, and we did not scare them all away.

Had a great turn out for the raffle and there was a happy winner.

Another sketch on the back of a Magic card.

One last photo with a friendly monster.

Nightmare Theater is now showing in Tallahassee, and we ended the night watching some of it with the folks from Nightmare Theater. A fitting end to a super fun day!

That's 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