The DOODLES, DESIGNS, and aRT of CHRISTOPHER BURDETT: Edge of the Empire

Showing posts with label Edge of the Empire. Show all posts

Monday, April 2, 2018

Shrapnel Rounds - The Return of Krash

Recently, one of my pieces from Star Wars Edge of the Empire has made an appearance over in Imperial Assault. While it has been severely cropped and adjusted a little I recognized it immediately. I present to you the newly named Shrapnel Rounds...

Shrapnel Rounds

Star Wars Imperial Assault - Heart of the Empire

Actually, this is the reverse of what usually happens. I will create a piece of work for an project and for whatever reason it ends up being weirdly cropped and you can hardly see the image and only later when it is reused do you get to see the whole thing. If you did not recognize the Shrapnel Rounds just have a close look at Krash's midsection...

Krash

Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

9 x 12 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

Krash is a little older piece of mine that kind of flew under the radar. You can read more about its announcement and process here on the blog. This was a fun one to work on and glad to see that it is getting a little more attention out there.

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

Friday, August 26, 2016

Lords of Nal Hutta - The Return of Salacious B. Crumb

I have another sighting from Gen Con of my work making a repeat appearance in the Star Wars universe. This time around it is my Salacious B. Crumb that I did for the Star Wars Card Game. It has come back as a half page illustration in the new Star Wars RPG supplement, Edge of the Empire: Lords of Nal Hutta. It looks a little something like this in the book...

One of the first pages of Star Wars: Edge of the Empire - Lords of Nal Hutta

You can't miss the image, it is one of the first pieces when you open the book, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, it looks like my name got left out of the credits of the book. Oh well, not the first time and most likely, not the last time either. I have always submitted imaged larger than I needed to for all of my assignments, this is what it gets me! Nice to see it printed larger than the original card art. Here is what the original art looks like, to refresh the memory...

Salacious B. Crumb

Star Wars LCG: Darkness and Light

10.6 x 7.9 - Digital

I can't post about Salacious B. Crumb without also sharing what the final production card look like, here it is in the wilds of Gen Con...

Salacious B. Crumb in handy dandy card form as seen at Gen Con!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday for something magical! 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 23, 2016

Krash - Star Wars - Process

Today on the blog I have for you the process and steps that went into a recent Star Wars character illustration produced for the Edge of the Empire RPG supplement, Mask of the Pirate Queen. I was asked to create a Barabel brawler and I was more then happy to do so. This was my second time illustrating a Barabel for Edge of the Empire. The end result was a character named Krash and here is how the final illustration turned out...

Krash
Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

9 x 12 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

As always I started with reference photos and thumbnails. Krash needed to feature his shock gloves he uses to brawl with as well as a dominate scar on his face from a shock glove wound. Pretty straight forward, right? Sure... but he also needed to be dressed all in dark clothes. Sometimes it is seemingly minor notes such as overall color request that can really make the assignment challenging. Here is how the thumbnails turned out...

Krash - Thumbnails
© 2015 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

Speaking of photo reference, here for your enjoyment are some of the images I was working with to create this character and his illustration...

Krash -Reference photos

Photos by Achsa Nute

Thumbnail "B" was the winner and it was now time to get started on the final drawing. Not much to share about the drawing, I drew it, scanned it, and turned it in. There was a note to tweak one thing but that was done digitally and the drawing was approved. Here is how the final approved drawing turned out...

Krash - Drawing
Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

11 x 14 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

Time for painting! I still have not figured out a good method for painting vignettes. I am a very sloppy painter in the early stages of a painting, both digitally and traditionally. I like to throw color around, splatter things, and work really loose to build up my under painting. When I work digitally I can make a quick and easy mask... I know I can do it traditionally as well, just have yet to try it. I could always try to paint cleaner and mind the edges more, but that is not my style. There is nothing wrong with painting out the background once I am done with the figure, it is just another step that needs to be addressed. Here are some images of the painting coming together in twelve easy steps...

Krash - Process progression

Please understand that the image looks more like the final image through out the process, the photos I take during the process just do not do the painting any favors. Here is an animated progression of the painting so that you can better see the steps coming together...

Krash - Animated process

From start to finish this was a fairly quick piece to work on. I was trying to make sure I worked on at least one piece for this project since it sounded like a very cool campaign. Here again is how the final illustration of Krash turned out...

Krash
Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

9 x 12 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

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

Monday, July 13, 2015

Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

Last week I had a new Star Wars painting briefly, and I believe accidentally, spoiled over on the Fantasy Flight Games website. After checking if it was okay to actually share the work I can now bring you a happy little Barabel that I did for the upcoming adventure supplement to the Edge of the Empire RPG, Mask of the Pirate Queen...

Krash

Star Wars - Edge of the Empire: Mask of the Pirate Queen

9 x 12 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

This was a fun one to work on and it was great working with FFG AD John Taillon on this one. This Barabel will be joining me at Gen Con for those interested in such things. Not much else to say right now about this piece besides that a Barabel can rock a huge scar of his face. Makes him look all tough and macho... if space lizards can be macho. In the fullness of time I will be sharing more details about this piece. Here is a look at the FFG website that gave a glimpse of my piece, even if it was a couple hours...

Fleeting hours on the Fantasy Flight website

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

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Snake Oil Salesman - Process - Far Horizons

Today I have for you another process post for a "recent" Star Wars piece. This time around is the crafty Chiven Snake Oil Salesman from Edge of the Empire, Far Horizons! I first shared these pieces last November, so here is how the final Snake Oil Salesman turned out...

Snake Oil Salesman

Edge of the Empire - Far Horizons

I have always been fan of the Chevin and was thrilled to do a pair of them for Far Horizon. If you are wondering about the Chevin, think back to Ephant Mon in Jabba's Palace in Return of the Jedi. If you are wondering about Ephant Mon... there is Google. Anyway... Chevin, big, hulking alien monsters! YAYS! I started things off as usual with some thumbnails...

Snake Oil Salesman - Thumbnails

The Snake Oil Salesman was far and away my favorite piece for this project and one of my all time favorite isolated figure pieces for Star Wars. It was just super fun and offered up a chance to put a lot of character into this creature. The art order called for a big scar across his face, crazy clothes, a assistance droid, and lot of product that he was peddling. Sounds like a fun time in the Star Wars universe to me! I submitted some thumbnails and option "C" for the Chevin and "B" for the droid was selected. Since I now I had an approved thumbnail it was time for a drawing...

Snake Oil Salesmen

Edge of the Empire - Far Horizons

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD
© 2014 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

The drawing was approved and it was time for some painting. In just nice easy steps the Snake Oil Salesmen took shape... or not, but it did come together really quickly. This piece did lean a little dark, but I think it reads well enough in the end. Here is a look at the piece taking shape...

Snake Oil Salesmen - Process progression

Once again I have for you a handy dandy animated process thingy to better show the process of creating the image. Hopefully this better shows how the image comes together and takes shape.There were not a lot of issues to address or fix along the way, the image just took shape and became a finished painting, always nice when that happens...

Snake Oil Salesmen - Animated process progression

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

Monday, June 8, 2015

Trandoshan Hunter - Imperial Assault Summer Organized Play Kit

FINALLY! The first of my traditionally painted Star Wars work has finally begun to appear! I have been working traditionally on all of my Star Wars assignments since September of last year. Needless to say I am more then eager to start sharing the mighty stack of work that has accumulated. The first to surface was my second card assignment which happen to included a pair of space lizards that are near and dear to me. I present the Trandoshan Hunter for the Imperial Assault Summer Organized Play Kit...

Trandoshan Hunter

Imperial Assault Summer Organized Play Kit

11 x 14 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

I have mentioned here on the blog more then once that I really like Trandoshans. With that in mind it seemed like a perfect fit for me to work on a pair as these lovely space lizards for the Summer Organized Play Kit for Imperial Assault. This alternate art card will be given away to players that take part in Imperial Assault events at their local game store or similar venue. Here is a look at the rest of the Summer Organized Play Kit...

Imperial Assault Summer Organized Play Kit courtesy of the Fantasy Flight Games website

I am still not happy with my image captures of my paintings. They are getting better, sometimes, but for me, there is room still for improvement. Since this was one of my first paintings this feeling is even more so. BUT, I make the most of it, the client was happy with the images, I am happy with the paintings (that looks so much better in person) and the images will look great on a card. In the end, everyone is happy with the part that they need to be happy about. ...but there is room for improvement. Here is a photo I just took of the varnished painting in its frame, it is not perfect either, but if you look at both the scan and the photo you can get a better feel for the piece...

Trandoshan Hunter - Framed

Imperial Assault Summer Organized Play Kit

11 x 14 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Original - SOLD

Here is the funny thing about the Trandoshan Hunter card for Imperial Assualt... this is not the first time my art has been used on this card, this is not even the second time my art had been on this card. This will mark the THIRD time my art has been used on the Trandoshan Hunter card for Imperial Assault. I have dug my fingers in deep with Trandoshans over at FFG! For the core set and the Adepticon exclusive giveaway versions of the Trandoshan Hunter work that I have previously done was used for the card. This version marks the first time I have created new work for the card. Here is a look at how the other two versions of the card turned out...

Trandoshan Hunter - Imperial Assault - Core set

Trandoshan Hunter - Adepticon exclusive giveaway

I am also including the original paintings for the two previous Trandoshan Hunter cards as well so you can compare and contrast and look at the progression of my digital work and transition into my traditional work. I am really happy with the direction of my take on the Trandoshans, I feel like I am creating my own personal visual style and look for them as well as staying true to Bossk and the other Trandoshans that are cannon to the Star Wars universe.

AT-PT

Edge of the Empire

7 x 10 - Digital

DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle

Imperial Assault - Core set

10.1 x 9 - Digital

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

Friday, June 5, 2015

Career Entrepreneur - Process - Far Horizons

Today I am once again away from my computer doing Star Wars related activities so I thought I would leave the monsters in charge to share some process work for a Star Wars project. This time around is the crafty Chiven Career Entrepreneur from Edge of the Empire, Far Horizons! I first shared these pieces last November, so here is how the final Career Entrepreneur turned out...

Career Entrepreneur

Edge of the Empire - Far Horizons

Career Entrepreneur - Thumbnails

The Career Entrepreneur offered up an interesting situation since he is counting credit chips and is not very adventurous. HOT counting action! But not everyone in the universe can be a Jedi or smuggler. Imagine starting out your character as a Career Entrepreneur and ending up a crime lord! That would be some great RPG fun. Anyway... I submitted some thumbnails and option "B" was selected. Once I had an approved thumbnail it was time for a drawing...

Career Entrepreneur

Edge of the Empire - Far Horizons

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

Original for sale over on my web store!
© 2014 Lucasfilm, Ltd. TM Lucasfilm, Ltd. Under license to Fantasy Flight Games

The drawing was approved and it was time for some painting. I got to start on the Career Entrepreneur and in 12 easy steps the Career Entrepreneur took shape. The Aurebesh was it's once process. Fear naught, there are no secret messages in the Aurebesh, it is all random letters that stand for fictitious Star Wars corporation followed by numbers. It is just a big stock market holo feed.

Career Entrepreneur - Process progression

Career Entrepreneur - Animated process progression

I shared this before but it bares repeating here, the Career Entrepreneur made a repeat appearance on and in the Entrepreneur Specialization Deck. I was not expecting such attention for this little guy but it sure is nice!

Entrepreneur Specialization Deck cover and card back with hot Chiven counting credits action!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday for some new Star Wars action! Until then...

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

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Star Wars Encores

I have recently had some of my Star Wars pieces make an encore appearance in other Star Wars products. Always fun to see that my work is deemed good enough to be used a second (or third) time. Hopefully it means I am doing something right. The most recent encore was when my DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle piece created for Imperial Assault showed back up a week or two ago as an Adepticon exclusive giveaway...

Trandoshan Hunter - Adepticon exclusive giveaway

Not a bad looking card. Here is how the original art looked for those of you not familiar with it from previous posts...

DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle

Imperial Assault - Core set

10.1 x 9 - Digital

There is a bit of cropping going on with the new cards, but not NEARLY as much as in the original usage of the card in the the Imperial Assault core set...

The handy dandy DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle card... with CROPPING action!

The funny thing to me is that almost immediately this card was selling on eBay for $50 - $75. I know it is an exclusive card to the con... but it IS a mass produced little piece of card stock. You know, you can get the ORIGINAL ONE OF A KIND drawing for less then what a single one of those cards is selling for on eBay...

DXR-6 Disruptor Rifle

Imperial Assault - Core set

12 x 9

Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

Another piece that is really making the rounds in the Star Wars universe is a piece I originally produced for the Edge of the Empire supplement, Suns of Fortune. It has also already shown up in the Between the Shadows expansion to the Star Wars card game. Now it is finding a home in the Imperial Assault board game as part of the Rebel Saboteurs Ally Pack...

Hazardous Materials

Star Wars: Imperial Assault – Rebel Saboteurs Ally Pack

This is probably the best representation of the piece so far and show off most of the piece. More or less. Here is how the original piece turned out...

Exploring Froz

Edge of the Empire - Suns of Fortune

12 x 14 - Digital

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

Friday, February 6, 2015

Exploring Froz / The Hunters - Star Wars - Process

On Monday and Wednesday I shared with you new work from the recently released deluxe expansion to the Star Wars card game, Between the Shadows. Today I have for you the third and final piece I have in the set, The Hunters. If The Hunters looks familiar that is because it is a return appearance of a piece I created for Edge of the Empire - Suns of Fortune, Exploring Froz, which I shared a year ago. Wait, it has been a year already?! Boy am I late in posting this process post! So that we are all familiar with Exploring Froz and The Hunters here is what the final piece looks like...

Exploring Froz

Edge of the Empire - Suns of Fortune

12 x 14 - Digital

Here is how the this piece was repurposed for The Hunters. It looks like the good folks at FFG had to do some cloning to fill out the right side of the card a little. I would have been happy to handle it if I was asked, but it looks good enough to me.

The Hunters (Exploring Froz) in handy dandy card form

Now for the process for this piece! As always, things started with some thumbnails to work out the over all composition and layout. Since this piece was for a book there needed to be a huge amount of bleed on two of the sides. If you look closely you will be black lines running through the piece, these were to make sure I worked in the live area and to show my Art Director as well. FOLLOW THOSE TEMPLATES! This piece was to depict a pair of explorers and their droid as they investigated the ruins of the planet Froz. Before the Deathstar the Empire would just level the surface with Star Destroyer orbital bombardment. Here are how the thumbnails turned out...

Exploring Froz - Thumbanils

Option "C" was the winner. I liked the overwhelmed expression of the Trandoshan in "A" but I guess that was not what production was looking for. With a thumbnail selected it was time to get started on the final drawing...

Exploring Froz

Edge of the Empire - Suns of Fortune

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

The drawing was approved and it was time to get started on the painting. In just twelve steps I created a finished painting... or not. This one was straight forward, but required some edits and revisions along the way. There was some persistent issues with the elbow of that darn Trandoshan. Well, that Trandoshan was all kinds of problems since in the end I have to increase his over all size once the final was reviewed. Your favorites always turn against you. Here is the painting taking shape...

Exploring Froz - Process steps

Not all of the edits came from production. While I was working on this piece I revisited the head scales of the Trandoshan as well as added a more complicated rebreather. The original rebreather was more inline with what you see the Jedi use in The Phantom Menace, but spiced up. While painting I wasn't sure it read well or seemed enough for the situation that the characters were in. I added the additional plate over the Trandohan's nose for added protection and visual effect.

So that you can get a better feel for the piece coming together and the edits that took place on this piece here is another of those handy dandy animated gif thingy...

Exploring Froz - Animated progression thing

This concludes the process that went into creating Exploring Froz / The Hunters. This is not the last for this piece though, I have already seen a glimpse of this piece making an appearance in an upcoming supplement for Imperial Assault. Which is kinda cool. This will be my second piece that has shown up in the Star Wars RPG, card game, and board game. Here again is how the final piece turned out...

Exploring Froz

Edge of the Empire - Suns of Fortune

12 x 14 - Digital

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