Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Elemental Essence Shard - Dungeons & Dragons - Process

This past November, the Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, was released, and with it my Elemental Essence Shard illustration. I am happy to share the process and steps that went into making this piece with you today. When I created this piece in 2020, I was having difficulty making art and finding the motivation to be creative. I took this assignment so that I had an external deadline and obligation to create. When I took the assignment, there were going to be many more monsters in the book than there ended up in the final publication. This left me with a trio of magical shards that were linked to different planes in the Realms. This was a very challenging painting for me. Not technically, but mentally and physically to find the will and motivation to make it. In the end, it was completed and was very well received by the production team. It all worked out in the end, and it ended up helping me to make my own art again. To start things off, here is the final painting for Elemental Essence Shard.

Elemental Essence Shard
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
11 x 14 - Digital 
Art Director - Kate Irwin 
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

If you are expecting me to mention a photoshoot and reference in regards to this piece, well, you are out of luck this time. This is one of the few assignments or projects that I pulled entirely out of my head from start to finish. While I am a huge advocate of using reference and preparing for projects, in the fullness of time, you do build up a skillset, and you can create things on your own. I have looked at plenty of hard surface objects, how light hits and reflects off of them and have created plenty of magical versions of such objects. The assignment was to create three shards representing three different planes, and I am more than ready to pull that from my head. There was plenty of direction in the assignment regarding what they wanted to see and what the shards needed to embody. It was only a matter of sitting down and making something that looked and felt interesting and appropriate to D&D. I worked up three compositions with the shards I designed. I didn't feel the need to create different shard designs until after these were potentially rejected. I was confident with them and felt the deciding factor here was the arrangement and the final render. Here are the thumbnails I submitted.

Elemental Essence Shard - Thumbnails
Digital
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Option 'A' was selected without changes. They liked them all but went with 'A' since there was plenty of space around each one, and this allowed the production team to use the shards seperately and allowed for the deletion of one or more if it was deemed necessary. As you can see from the final, none of this ended up being done, and the shards were used as it. An overlapping composition may have been interesting, but having them all separated did allow for a quicker and more straightforward painting. With the thumbnail approved, it was time to create the line art.

Elemental Essence Shard - Line art
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The line art was approved without comment, and I was given the go-ahead for the final painting. As I have mentioned recently, I am taking my line art drawings to a final drawing state. This allows me to have more fun drawing, a way to work out what I will be doing with the final painting, and a more pleasing finished product. The line art is still used for painting, but the finished drawing is for myself and collectors. Here is the final drawing for the shards.

Elemental Essence Shard - Final drawing
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper 
Original - SOLD after being damaged by my cat
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

With all the drawings squared away, it was time to paint. Since the shards were separate objects, I handled them in the painting this way as well. I painted them left to right and treated each of them as standalone pieces. It went extremely quickly, as long as I was in my chair working, but like I said, at the time in 2020 that I was working on this, getting in my chair to work was very difficult. Here is a look at the Elemental Essence Shard painting taking shape.

Elemental Essence Shard - Process
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The final painting was very well received, and there were no edits or changes required. I was threatened that because I did such a good job with this assignment, I am likely to see more objects and non-monster work in my future. We will see what comes of this. So far, I have only received one object in the assignments I have taken on since working on this piece. 

Lastly, here again, is the final painting for Elemental Essence Shard. It will forever be a transitional piece and the client work I most associate with 2020.

Elemental Essence Shard
© 2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

That's all for another exciting Wendesday 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

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

A Year Later

 

Today I am reminded of the lost potential of 2020, and I felt that I needed to share a few thoughts.

A year ago today, my Kickstarter for my first book concluded. The campaign began right before the lockdown down for the COVID 19 pandemic. During the length of the campaign, I, and many others, shifted to working from home, the cases of C19 spread across the country and world, people began losing their incomes, and others lost their lives. We have many moments to track this pandemic's timeline in our lives. I feel today is a singular moment, more deeply felt than any other moment that has come before. 

I am not alone in saying that 2020 was going to be my year. For me, the singular event of 2020 was that after over two decades of working towards seeing the world in my head become a reality. I was lined up to be a Featured Artist at Gen Con, where I would premiere the book to the world. There were plans to return to Italy for a family vacation. There were other travel and conventions planned. I was firing on all cylinders with my work, and 2020 would be the launch of a whole new cycle of illustrations and writing for the following books. No need for me to tell you, like all of us, 2020 did not go as planned.

None of what I am saying is new, but I think the events and trauma we have experienced and continue to live through need reflection and time to process. The book was funded, it was printed, and I have hundreds of copies. The dream was seen to fruition. My efforts made real, and my hard work saw its ultimate conclusion. The party, the celebrations, the excitement of seeing people with my book in their hands never came. Likely, it will not even come this year, 2021. Vaccines are rolling out. I feel a change in the air. There is hope once again we will be able to socialize and participate in the events we have grown to love and need. But 2021 still feels too soon. I know events are planned, people are going, but as much as I crave that experience again, it is too soon for me, too soon for us. 

My wife is an ER nurse, and this past year has been beyond description. I will never fully understand what she has been through. I know what I have endured being this close to a frontline medical worker, and it is something I am not prepared to discuss. We have all met different challenges over the past twelve months, we have all lost something, and I sadly know we have more ahead of us.

There has been good that has happened as well. I have discovered new interests and skills. My book did get funded and printed. It is a reality. I, my family, and many of my friends have remained physically healthy so far. I have come to better understand what I want to do, what I need to do, and how best to use my time and energy to have a more balanced life. Many of the things that I had planned for 2020 appear to be waiting for me in 2022, save any further cataclysmic events. We endure. We continue.

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

Monday, March 29, 2021

Recent Sketch Book and Artist Proof Drawings

Today I have for you a selection of recent artist proofs that I added drawings to their backs. If you are interested in getting any of these for yourself, just follow the links to my store. I have has a recent spike in artist proof sales, and some are actually getting close to selling out. Starting things off, I have a bonus sketchbook drawing. As a reminder, each of my sketchbooks comes with a free drawing, and while I am nearly sold out of my sketchbooks, I still have a handful left, so the sale continues. Here is a selection of monster drawings.

 
You, too, can get a FREE drawing just like the above drawings when you buy any of my sketchbooks - which continue to be ON SALE!
 
The Shimmerwing Chimera has suddenly seen a spike in its popularity.

The fan-favorite Stinging Lionfish makes an appearance.

Another Shimmerwing Chimera living large and in charge.

I have found the coveted peacock a challenging card to do drawings that I have been happy with. This is likely my favorite peacock drawing and will be the direction I take in future peacock drawing.

The ever favorite Shifting Shadows lizard monster seems to always make an appearance.

Lastly, the Loathsome Catoblepas made a rare appearance and was just happy to be included.

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

Friday, March 26, 2021

My Dad's Monster Manual - The Return of the Ankheg, Kraken, and Fire Snake

I would like to share something that I find very interesting and fun. It is a third-party Dungeons & Dragons book that uses licensed art, of which some of mine is included. While that is enough to warrant a blog post, the concept around the book itself is highly creative. My Dad's Monster Manual is a collection of monsters that most players should be more than familiar with, but in this case, they have all be reenvisioned and given new names, backstories, stats, and abilities. The author of the book had his father guess what each monster in the official monster manual was called and what it does, and from there, these new versions were created. I think this is a super fun idea and gives Dungeon Masters the opportunity to spice up their games and keep their players guessing. If you have a chance, you should check this book out. Here is a look at the book.

 
My Dad's Monster Manual

This book is full of monster art that appears in the fifth edition Monster Manual. Included are three of my pieces, the Ankheg, Kraken, and Fire Snake. I love how these creatures were given a fresh spin and fun new names and origins. The entire book has so many fun new ideas and monster potential. Here is a look at my art in the book.



Here again, is my full art for each of these monsters. It is nice to see how they live on and continue to show up and have a life of their own,

Ankheg
5th Edition Monster Manual
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Daniel Gelon
© 2014 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
Kraken
5th Edition Monster Manual
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Daniel Gelon
© 2014 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
Fire Snake
5th Edition Monster Manual
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Daniel Gelon
© 2014 Wizards of the Coast LLC

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Mystery Project Phase Three Process

I have been teasing here and on my social media platforms, process images of a mystery project I am working on. While I can not talk about who the project is for or what the images will be used for, I can show process images. Instead of showing the entire image, I chose to provide a little slice of things. I have shared the first and second pieces I have created for this project, and we finally come to the final one. Each is my favorite, and as much I have enjoyed creating them, I must now put them aside and move onto other work. I have no idea when they will be used, but rest assured that I will be sharing the final product the moment I am allowed. Here are some glimpses of the third and final mystery project drawings coming together

 
Mystery Project Process
17 x 14 - Colored pencil and acrylic on paper (digital color finish) 
© 2021 Christopher Burdett

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

Friday, March 19, 2021

Dungeons & Dragons - Candlekeep Mysteries - Part 2

On Wednesday, I shared with you the first two of the four paintings that I have in the Candlekeep Mysteries, the newest gaming supplement for Dungeons & Dragons. If you missed that post, please check it out since it will contain a little more detail about this project and where I was at in the world when I worked on it. Here is a look at the book to get things rolling. 

 
Candlekeep Mysteries

Unlike the Skitterwidget and Kiddywidget, the second of the four pieces in the book are unrelated. One painting depicts a figurine of Orcus that has been carved out of the petrified heart of an Ogre if I remember correctly. The other painting is a little Sprite who is having a terrible, very emotional day, and she is heartbroken about the state of things. While both can fall under the monster umbrella, each of these pieces is a little outside my comfort zone. One is an object, and the other is a human-like female creature. Here is the final painting for the Orcus Figurine.

Orcus Figurine
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC


Since the final painting for this piece is digital, the only original for it is the drawing. As mentioned in more recent D&D releases, I have begun fully rendering my drawings for my client work. Here is how the drawing for the
Orcus Figurine turned out.

Orcus Figurine - Drawing
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Next up is Thunderwing the Sprite. I was a little surprised to receive this assignment, but I am not one to back down from a challenge or an assignment. Not to mention there was no reason that I would be unable to successfully complete it. My wife was nice enough to step in to pose for Sprite reference, and after an unsuccessful first round of thumbnails, it was all a matter of going through the process I have used for years to produce my work. Here is the final painting for the Thunderwing the Sprite.

Thunderwing the Sprite
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
Again, the only original for this creature is the drawing. Here is the final drawing for Thunderwing the Sprite.
 
Thunderwing the Sprite - Drawing
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Lastly, here is a look at the Orcus Figurine and Thunderwing the Sprite in the book. They printed beautifully, and I hope that in the fullness of time, Thunderwing the Sprite might become miniatures.

Figurines and Sprites in book form!
 
 That is all of 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

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Dungeons & Dragons - Candlekeep Mysteries - Part 1

I got my hands on a copy of the Candlekeep Mysteries, the newest gaming supplement for Dungeons & Dragons, yesterday. This means I can now share with you four new D&D monster paintings and four new drawings associated with the paintings. I worked on this book in 2020 as I was working on getting back on the art horse and generating pieces again. When this assignment came along, I felt much better about making art and decided to take on a few more pieces than I had been taking on the previous projects. I settled on four pieces, and it was the perfect number. I have the first two pieces for you today, and be sure to come back on Friday to see the other two! Here is a look at the book to get things rolling.

Candlekeep Mysteries

These first two monster paintings are a pair. The assignment was to design and create a parent and child construct. I designed paired versions in the thumbnail stage so that they felt related to each other. The Skitterwidget is the parent, and the Kiddywidget is the offspring. These were a blast to design and paint, and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. Production was pleased with all of my creations for the book, but I heard that they especially liked how these two mechanical critters turned out. Here is the final painting for the parental unit, the Skitterwidget.

Skitterwidget
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Since the final painting for this piece is digital, the only original for it is the drawing. As mentioned in more recent D&D releases, I have begun fully finishing my drawings for my client work. Here is how the drawing for the Skitterwidget turned out.

Skitterwidget - Drawing
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
Original - SOLD
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC

If you are interested in this piece, please know that this particular drawing has some slight damage. As mentioned before, my cat got into my flat file and, unfortunately, had too much fun with a couple of my drawings. This was the second of the two drawings damaged. A small bite is taken out of the top of the paper. Other than that, the drawing is intact. Here are a couple images of what the damage looks like.

Just a little taste of the paper.

Next up is the Kiddywidget. Of all of the pieces for this assignment, this is my favorite by far. I really like how this juvenile design turned out, as well as the color palette and paintwork on the final. The Skitterwidget was painted first, so I could play off of that and soften things and lighten the overall look of the construct. Here is the final painting for the Kiddywidget.

Kiddywidget
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
Again, the only original for this creature is the drawing. As stated dozens, if not more, times here on the blog, the drawing is my favorite part, and it was a joy to working on this one. Here is the final drawing for the Kiddywidget.

Kiddywidget - Drawing
Candlekeep Mysteries
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
Original - SOLD
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Lastly, here is a look at the two Widgets in the book. They printed beautifully, and I hope that in the fullness of time, they might become miniatures. I hope players have a lot of fun interacting with them!

 
Widgets in book form! I am not sure what I expected, but I imagined them hanging out on different pages. They look great together.

That is all of 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

Monday, March 15, 2021

Mystery Project Phase Two Process

I have been teasing here, and on my social media platforms process images of a mystery project, I am working on. While I can not talk about who the project is for or what the images will be used for, I can show process images. Instead of showing the entire image, I chose to provide a little slice of things. I have previous shared some process images of the first of three pieces associated with this project. With the second piece completed, I wanted to share a selection of images from it coming together. It is now time to work on the third and final image, and I hope to have that one completed very soon.

Mystery Project Process
17 x 14 - Colored pencil and acrylic on paper (digital color finish)
© 2021 Christopher Burdett

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

Friday, March 12, 2021

D&D Monster Cards - Epic Monsters - Return of the Kraken, Morkoth, Sibriex, and Hellfire Engine

Within the past two to three years, give or take, a D&D Monster Card deck was released for Epic Monsters. Included in this deck are four of the monsters that I painted for various Dungeons & Dragons books. With the Epic Monsters Deck's release, my Kraken, Morkoth, Sibriex, and Hellfire Engine, get their own cards. This is the last such deck of monster cards I am aware of. Only time will tell if there will be more. Here is a look at the deck box and the cards.
 
 
Epic Monsters Deck
 
 
Kraken

 
Morkoth
 
 
Sibriex
 
 
Hellfire Engine
 
The Kraken and the Morkoth have been made into miniatures. The Sibriex miniature should be released sometime this month. I am still awaiting the Hellfire Engine to become an official miniature. Here again, is the final art that I created of these three monsters.
 
 
Kraken
5th Edition Monster Manual
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Daniel Gelon
© 2014 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
 
Morkoth
Volo's Guide to Monsters
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
 
Sibriex
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2018 Wizards of the Coast LLC
 
Hellfire Engine
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
11 x 14 - Digital
Art Director - Kate Irwin
© 2018 Wizards of the Coast LLC

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