The State of the Grand Bazaar - February 2025

This post is more likely for me than anyone else. In the times we find ourselves, it can be hard to focus on one's art and stay motivated and confident that your actions are not futile in the face of an uncaring universe. To that end, I wanted to look at where the Grand Bazaar stands at the beginning of 2025 compared to where things were in 2020 when I began work in earnest on the second book. Luckily, I have a habit of taking lots of photographs, which allows me to document the progression of my work in such matters. Here is where book two was in September of 2020. You will note there is some stuff on there for book three to the right side of the board.

The beginning.

All the ideas and a plan.

You would be shocked by how much changes during the years it takes to make these things.

Now, let us see where the board is at currently. Please note that there is one thing not updated in this image, I have begun work on a larger new piece, and its card has not been updated with an image of the sketch, which is customary for me. Those who have signed up for my newsletter will get a look at a VERY loose thumbnail for this piece in a day or two (so sign up now and not miss it - and see the two newest pieces that I have completed for the book). You will also notice some additional items to the right of the board that are also for book three, though no work actively happening on that one until two is completed.

A definite difference and one that I needed to see.

My next piece will take some work to see completed, and I need to see that I am making progress.

There are still a number of '?' on the left side of the board that I need to address. The plan has been to reduce the size of the illustrations than I would normally make them. This will allow me to speed up and get closer to writing sooner. That said, the piece I am actively working on is larger than I had hoped to get it down to. But it needs to be large as there are MANY figures in an action-filled scene. If all goes to plan, it will be a great looking piece and an important one for the book.

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