The Pierian: Literary + Visual Arts Journal

I am thrilled to share my contribution to The Pierian: Literary + Visual Arts Journal. The Pierian is a literary and art publication from Albany State University in Georgia. I was approached to contribute to their first issue in nine years. After this long of a career, I generally try not to assume my inclusion in anything I submit to, so it was nice to see that one of my pieces from the Grand Bazaar made it in. The piece selected was Fortune Teller and will appear in book three, in the fullness of time. Here is the final illustration for Fortune Teller.

Fortune Teller

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - In the Black
13 x 17 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - Available
© 2021 Christopher Burdett

 

As this is a digital publication, you can check this latest issue for free! Any links in this post will take you directly there or to the main home. I would like to extend a huge thanks to Ansley Simmons for including me in this adventure.

The Pierian 2023

And finally, here is the image as it appears in The Pierian 2023.

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

Mii-Ytoi Portrait - 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. This will be a character portrait accompanying one of the short blurbs at the beginning of a chapter. I shared more about these with the first post focused on these portraits. With most of these, I have an idea regarding their voice and placement in the book, but the fun part is that it is not set in stone and may turn into something very different from what I first planned. I present you with a Mii-Ytoi (name to come later) that was mentioned in book one but gets a face in book two.

Mii-Ytoi
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
5 x 5 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - SOLD
© 2023 Christopher Burdett

 

Mii-Ytoi - Drawing 

5 x 5 - Pencil on paper
© 2023 Christopher Burdett

 

These are the smallest pieces created for the books. There is something charming about a 5 x 5 image, and I have already framed them up. They look great in a frame and made an excellent addition to my conventions this year. Now that convention seasion is over I will have all remaining portraits on my store soon. Here is a look at the sketch for the Mii-Ytoi to show where it started.

 

Mii-Ytoi - Sketch 

 Digital 

 © 2023 Christopher Burdett

 

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here soon! Until then... 

 

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

Dungeons & Dragons - Lore and Legends

Recently, a massive tomb covering 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons came out which included the encore appearances of some of my work. I picked up the book on blind faith that there had to be at least one of my pieces in there, as I have done a lot of work of 5E, and I was not disapointed. A total of four pieces were included, and I was credited for three of them, so not too bad. It is a very large book with a lot of art, so it is expected for something to slip through the cracks. With that aside, it is an awesome book and if you are a fan of D&D, art, and D&D art, you should treat yourself with a copy.

Dungeons & Dragons - Lore and Legends

Here are my illustrations that appear in the book. Some of my personal favorites, some of the pieces welll recieved by the fans, and all monsters. Personally, I am thrilled to see the Lizardfolk make it in and this is an important piece for me and my long history with D&D.

Mind Flayer Tadpole

9.1 x 10.1 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Lizardfolk

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Eidolon

Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2018 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Aartuk Elder

Spelljammer Adventures in Space

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Kate Irwin

© 2022 Wizards of the Coast LLC

And lastly, here are some image of these works in the book. Always wonderful to see my work printed in a book. The books started it all and I am honored to be part of the long tradition of being a D&D artist making monsters for the game.

D&D monsters in printed book form for your enjoyment.

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

"Recent" Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Drawings

Today I have "recent" Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added a drawing to their backs. All available artist proofs and drawing options can be found on my store. These are from September and October. These are a mix of orders that came in on the store and commisions from IX last month that I  completed after the convention. I present a selection of drawings on the back of Magic the Gathering cards.

Nothing like being told, "Just have fun with it". It is always a lot of fun!

 

Always fun to do some gift cards for Apathy House Booster Club. It is a fun yearly tradition.

 

And finally a Gundam with a massive sythe!

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

CYBER MONDAY is Live in the Grand Bazaar!

Head to my store to take part in the CYBER MONDAY specials!

My CYBER MONDAY event in the Grand Bazaar has begun! As a reminder, here is what is happening under the tenting:

• I am offering FREE shipping in the continental US. This offer goes live at 12:01 AM on Friday the 24th and continues till Midnight on Thursday the 30th (all EST). 

• I am offering FREE Kaijudo artist proofs with drawings on their backs! When you purchase over $100 on my store, you will receive ONE FREE Kaijudo AP (a single randomly selected card), and if you purchase over $150 on my store, you will receive THREE FREE Kaijudo APs (one of each of the three cards and if possible the same number on all three). 

• I am offering discounted the pricing for some of my Magic the Gathering artist proof reprints when you purchase a black and white or color drawing on their back. 

• Lastly, I have added many pieces of new art to my store. 

The free shipping will apply automatically at checkout, and I will add the FREE Kaijudo APs to all orders that qualify. There is nothing you need to do when purchasing from my store.

This is a sample of what you can expect from the FREE Kaijudo aritst proofs!

Remember, you will receive one for free with any purchase over $100, and if your purchase is over $150, you will recieve one of each of the three cards!

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wedesday! Until then...

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

BLACK FRIDAY is Live in the Grand Bazaar!

Head to my store to take part in the Black Friday specials!

My Black Friday event in the Grand Bazaar has begun! As a reminder, here is what is happening under the tenting:

• I am offering FREE shipping in the continental US. This offer goes live at 12:01 AM on Friday the 24th and continues till Midnight on Thursday the 30th (all EST). 

• I am offering FREE Kaijudo artist proofs with drawings on their backs! When you purchase over $100 on my store, you will receive ONE FREE Kaijudo AP (a single randomly selected card), and if you purchase over $150 on my store, you will receive THREE FREE Kaijudo APs (one of each of the three cards and if possible the same number on all three). 

• I am offering discounted pricing for some of my Magic the Gathering artist proof reprints when you purchase a black and white or color drawing on their back. 

• Lastly, I have added many pieces of new art to my store. 

The free shipping will apply automatically at checkout, and I will add the FREE Kaijudo APs to all orders that qualify. There is nothing you need to do when purchasing from my store.

This is a sample of what you can expect from the FREE Kaijudo artist proofs!

Remember, you will receive one for free with any purchase over $100, and if your purchase is over $150, you will receive one of each of the three cards!

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

BLACK FRIDAY, CYBER MONDAY, NEW ART, FREE SHIPPING, FREE ARTIST PROOFS, AND MORE!

 

Head to my store to take part in the Black Friday specials!

With Black Friday a couple days away and Cyber Monday just behind, I wanted to share all you can expect from the Grand Bazaar in these times of deals and incentives:

• First and foremost, I am offering FREE shipping in the continental US. This offer goes live at 12:01 AM on Friday the 24th and continues till Midnight on Thursday the 30th (all EST). 

• I am offering FREE Kaijudo artist proofs with drawings on their backs! When you purchase over $100 on my store, you will receive ONE FREE Kaijudo AP (a single randomly selected card), and if you purchase over $150 on my store, you will receive THREE FREE Kaijudo APs (one of each of the three cards and if possible the same number on all three). 

• I have discounted the pricing for some of my Magic the Gathering artist proof reprints when you purchase a black and white or color drawing on their back. 

• Lastly, I have added many pieces of new art to my store. 

The free shipping will apply automatically at checkout, and I will add the FREE Kaijudo APs to all orders that qualify. There is nothing you need to do when purchasing from my store.

This is a sample of what you can expect from the FREE Kaijudo aritst proofs!

Remember, you will receive one for free with any purchase over $100, and if your purchase is over $150, you will recieve one of each of the three cards!

Kaijudo fronts...

And Kaijudo backs!

So head to my store starting Friday, November 24th, to take advantage of my Black Friday and Cyber Monday event!

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

Kwuguian Portrait - 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. This will be a character portrait accompanying one of the short blurbs at the beginning of a chapter. I shared more about these with the first post focused on these portraits. With most of these, I have an idea regarding their voice and placement in the book, but the fun part is that it is not set in stone and may turn into something very different from what I first planned. I present you with a Kwuguian (name to come later) that was mentioned in book one but gets a face in book two.

Kwuguian
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
5 x 5 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - SOLD
© 2023 Christopher Burdett

Kwuguian - Drawing 

5 x 5 - Pencil on paper
© 2023 Christopher Burdett

 

These are the smallest pieces created for the books. There is something charming about a 5 x 5 image, and I have already framed them up. They look great in a frame and made an excellent addition to my conventions this year. Here is a look at the sketch for the Kwuguian to show where it started.

Kwuguian - Sketch 

 Digital 

 © 2023 Christopher Burdett

 

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here soon! Until then...

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

NEW Aarakocra Miniature

If you are saying to yourself there is already an Aarakocra miniature out there and that I shared it here on the blog, you are correct. Today I am sharing one of several NEW Aarakocra miniatures that was 'recently' released. Let us start things by looking back at my original Aarakocra painting that I created for the 5th Edition Monster Manual.

Aarakocra

 Dungeons & Dragons - 5th Edition Monster Manual

8x11 - Digital

© 2014 Wizards of the Coast

Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures release of the Aarakocra Fighters is a two-pack of Aarakocra miniatures. I think the miniatures looks excellent and are very dynamic. Maybe one of these days I will be asked to revisit this monster and I will be able to paint one in the middle of the action. Here is the unpainted Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures release of the Aarakocra Fighters.

Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures - Aarakocra Fighters

 

As I have stated above, the Aarakocra has already been made into a miniature. It was a prepainted mini that was part of a standalone miniatures game that is now no longer in production. It seemed interesting, but I never played it. It was an early way to get miniatures based on 5th Edition versions of the monsters, though. Here is the Aarakocra from that early line of minis. 

 

Aarakocra - Miniature

Icons of the Realms

2014 

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

Runic Colossus - Dungeons & Dragons - Process

Today, I am happy to share the process and steps for one of my contributions to the Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants. This is one of four contributions to the book. Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants focuses on all things giants, including giant things that are not living creatures. Here is the final painting for the Runic Colossus, a giant statue that can shoot energy-PEW PEW PEW.

Runic Colossus

Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I was asked to design and illustrate the Runic Colossus, a new monster for Dungeons & Dragons. I was provided with the necessary reference, so I jumped right in. The Runic Colossus was described as:

This illustration depicts a RUNIC COLOSSUS. The colossus is an enormous CONSTRUCT made of smooth STONE with mithral or adamantine around the joints and stands at 30 feet (9m) tall. The colossus is modeled after a STORM GIANT. Runes are inscribed along its body (no more than 1 per body part).

The colossus is firing a beam of MAGIC ENERGY at a foe offscreen. This beam could be fired from the chest, hands, or eyes.

This all sounds like a fun thing to work on. While I had some trouble fitting the Gigant into the compositional space, the Runic Colossus was a lot easier to make work in the tall narrow area I needed to work in. We shot some reference of me doing my best Runic Colossus impression and started scribbling. Here are the thumbnails that I submitted.  

Runic Colossus- Thumbnails

 © 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

These were well received, but they were not all the way to where they needed to be. Production liked where 'A' was headed, but they wanted the body twisted a little more and the waist accentuated more to show that this is not a living, breathing giant. I will say that I was pretty excited to do a version of 'B' with that cool frontal helemt plate and the eye beams shooting around, but it was not meant to be. Here is the updated thumbnail that I submitted.

 

Runic Colossus- Revised thumbnail

 © 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

The updated thumbnail checked all the boxes and was approved without additional notes and revisions. I was now approved to take it to the next process phase. I always create a final traditional drawing for every project to work out the details and to give myself a tangible product from the assignment. Here is the Runic Colossus drawing.

 

Runic Colossus

Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants

11 x 14 -Colored pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The drawing was approved without comment, and it was time to start on the final painting. Here is the painting of the Runic Colossus taking shape.

Runic Colossus - Process

 © 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

The painting process was straightforward, and there were no issues. There were no edits or changes requested for the Runic Colossus. Sadly, I have no juicy stories to share about how production wanted major edits or that I had a breakdown halfway through and decided to make this as an etching. I sat down and painted it, and it was done. I will say that I have found I like to paint green leaning rock and stone. I'm not sure why, but I just prefer it a LOT more to a more neutral grey rock or stone. It just spices it up more, and it makes me happy. Here, again, is the final painting of the Runic Colossus.

 

Runic Colossus

Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

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