Gen Con 2018 - Day 1

Today I am sharing some images and thoughts from day 1 of Gen Con, which was exactly a week ago today. One week past and it is already starting to feel like it was a million years ago. I have said it, friends have said it, but Gen Con goes by much to quickly and there is never enough time while you are there. That is why it is important to make the most of the moments. Unfortunately, my sleep schedule got all messed up going into the con and only got worse while I was there. This led to me bowing out early several evenings with the rest I was looking for never arriving. Of course now that I am home again my sleep is right as rain. Anyway, but to Gen Con...

Thursday was a busy day for sure. It ended up being my least profitable day, but it sure felt bust and there was a lot going on. Of course there were sales that happened on Thursday that did not conclude until Saturday or Sunday, and that is why I look at the con as a whole and not worry about the day to day sales. ...even though I worry. A little. Saw a LOT of familiar faces both behind and in front of tables. I don't really recall any down time, it was a steady flow all day and it is hard to find fault with that. There are two distinct sounds of Gen Con, the roar of the crowds outside the hall before they are let in on Thursday and the cheers of the exhibitors at the end of the day on Sunday. This year's roar, while not as terrifying as last year, was something to fear. I did a lot of sketching on things the first day, which is why my sketch rate at cons went up this year. Thursday afternoon was also the panel I was a part of that focused on being an artist in the the tabletop gaming industry. It was a load of fun and I think we all could have talked for at least another hour without any trouble. The nights of Gen Con are filled with friends, food, and fun.

Here are some images from Day 1 of Gen Con 2018...

Even before the hall opened there were hundreds already playing and enjoying games throughout the convention center.

A small glimpse at the crowds awaiting entry into the main hall.

A quick look around from my table before the crowds...

...and a look in the other direction.

A look up over the wall.

 Another look up over the wall. 

And another look up over the wall. Look at that nice new Art Show sign that spins!

A gelatinous cube was one of the requested sketches this year.

As well as a treasure chest and a mountain of gold and riches.

Apparently the gelatinous cube was a popular request this year.

Another rust monster, a classic monster and a fan favorite.

I was thrilled beyond thrilled to receive another one of these hand made 3D Magic card sculptures. This is my second one with my first gifted to me last year. These pieces are amazing and I am humbled to have one made for me, let alone two. This are prized pieces and they are very special to me. I can not thank the creator of them enough!

A peacock sketch on the back of a peacock card.

A look out at the crowd for our talk. It was really great and there were lots of good questions during the Q&A.

The dinner crew Thursday night. Much pizza was consumed!

That is all for another exciting Thursday on the blog, see you back here tomorrow for more coverage of 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

Gen Con 2017 Recap - Day 1

Thursday August 17, a week ago as I write this, was the first day of Gen Con 50 and it was like a powder keg about to explode. The excitement was palpable and the crowds were enormous. All day long we repeated, "It is a Saturday on a Thursday." So many people, so many sketches, so many great conversations, it was a day for the record books. When the dust settled I ended up having the best day at any con... of course Gen Con 50 was not over yet. You really needed to be there to experience the full force of a Gen Con. Thing is, I was in a stationary local and really did not see the show beyond my row in the artist alley and the path to and from the bathroom. I can only imagine what the rest of the con was like, what the attendees were experiencing. The pros and cons of working a show rather than attending a show, I get in early and have a place to sit down, but the adventure and games are out of reach. I think when all four days were added up, Thursday was the most fun for me. The excitement in the air was contagious and everyone was rested, full of energy, and were ready to take on all that Gen Con 50 had to offer. I usually have some time to get away from my table during the convention, but not this year. I managed bathroom breaks and a moment or two to step away and quickly each lunch. I needed to be at the table the rest of the time with little to no down time. If I was not talking to people I was drawing. No rest for the wicked! I could not ask for a better bunch of artists to be around for all four days. Having friends nearby when you are in the thick of it always makes things better. Enough talking for now, here are images from day 1 of Gen Con 50...

Not sure any image can truly portray the crowds awaiting the beginning of Gen Con 50.

My table is all set up and ready to go!

Never be on the receiving end of a Steve Prescott lecture. (JOKE!)

A look over my wall at some of the great folks set up in the next row.

Panorama of the row behind before the doors open...

...and a panorama of our row.

I can't express how THRILLED I am to receive one of these.

This is a hand made 3D version of one of my cards made by a teacher who does these to relax. There are 10 layers of cut card to create a little diorama of the scene depicted on the card. For years I have watched other artist receive them and this year was my first and I could not be happier with this one. I feel like I have finally 'made it' as an artist :)

Another image to hopefully better show off the depth created with the cut cards. There are spacers between the layers and it all fits in a tiny card box. So COOL! So happy!

A Brave Little Toaster sketch on the back of a Magic proof.

The first of many cards signed at Gen Con 50. This was the first time I got to sign this particular card. It is a reprint of my Ghoul painting. Looked great!

Managed to get an image of the crowds in the artist alley. Again, does not give a true feel for the actual crush of people present.

A bunch of Magic foils needed to be signed and I was up for the job.

A collection of D&D themed sketch cards.

This was my first rust monster sketch!

This was my first Pokemon sketch for the con and I think it was my favorite of the weekend.

I did many and I liked many of them a lot, but this one was just so creepy and weird it was hard to see it go.

First SW Destiny cards that I got to sign that feature a reprint of my Mon Calamari Smuggler.

Last sketch on a Magic proof of the day... a squirrel with a nut.

The crowds were still present after the convention closed for the day.

Still way more people than the images let on.

A bunch of us all ended up at dinner and we ordered WAY too much food.

So good. So full.

I took in a little late night walking after everything calmed down.

Took in the sights and took some images of the light.

An amazing day at Gen Con has finally come to an end.

That is all for another exciting Thursday on the blog, see you back here tomorrow for more Gen Con coverage! 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 2016 Recap - Day 1

My recap of Gen Con 2016 continues with some of the happenings in the Artist Alley during Day 1. I shared some thoughts about my overall experience at Gen Con 2016 on Friday, if you missed it.

With most of the recent Gen Cons that I have attended I see less and less of Gen Con and more and more of the Art Show. While I am focused on being at my table and interacting with the public, I do try to make some sort of attempt to see the show. Not so much this year. When I was not talking to folks about my art I was signing cards and drawing for people. To be frank, in years past I have had some really log stretches of idle time at Gen Con, but this was not the case this year. It felt like I was always doing something and when I had a pause in my day it was a welcome respite and not an anxious gap in interested people at my table. If I was not drawing Pokemon the entire weekend my persecution of things might be a little different, but thankfully I thought up my Pokemon experiment and it paid off. All four days of Gen Con flew by. When the convention opened on Thursday morning I thought to myself, "Here goes four great long days of Gen Con", I blinked my eyes and it was Sunday night. While I didn't miss the anxious slow gaps in people, it would have been nice to see a *little* of the show. At least there are the evenings to catch up with friends!

Here are some images that more or less make up my experiences of Day 1 of Gen Con 2016...

The booth is all set and it is time to start Gen Con!

Standing at my table, I look to the right to see Ralph Horsley.

Over the wall, there is some more folks I know. Hi Scott Murphy, hi Owen Weber!

Directly behind me you will find Tyler Walpole, Chris Seaman, and a threatening Steve Prescott.

Got to see my Chaac painting in print for the first time!

I drew a beholder in a sketchbook.

Signed some older L5R cards.

The Pokemon floodgates opened... starting things off, an Eevee...

...a Ponyta...

...and the first Tyranitar.

Signed a few Magic cards.

Drew another Beholder, this time it is on a sketch card and in color.

Scribbled in a creatura libri 6, actually, I scribbled in a couple, but I FORGOT to take pictures of them all...

Magikarp on the back of an Ancient Carp.

Togepi showed up at Gen Con.

Another sketch card, this time a dragon... RAWR!

Jeff Miracola brought a painting to work on during the show.

I present to you, a liquidized Giggly Puff...

That is all for anther exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here tomorrow! Until then...

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