Monster inking practice

There are times when I am busy and then there are times when I am BUSY. I am fast approaching the latter as the summer event and convention session looms on the horizon. The Illustration Master Class is a month away and I am booked up with monsters. This is not leaving a lot of time right now for my personal monsters. I did make a little time to work on a quick study to working on some digital inking. I have a bit of this sort of work ahead of me so I figured I better make sure I am ready for it all. Here is how the study turned out...

Beak monster study and practice

© 2013 Christopher Burdett

Practice makes perfect and perfect is a goal that is always just out of reach. So make sure you are getting in lots of practice! This one was just a quick study out of my head, but I find it funny to see an actual bird in there that I have seen many times. I guess that is the point, build up your tool box of skills and knowledge to make sure you are making better and more informed choices when working... but that is a topic for another time, I need to get back to work!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday for a NEW MONSTER painting! Until then...

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

Uncanny Very Near Mint

Recently, I had the privilege once again to contribute to another of Justin Peterson's comic projects, Uncanny Very Near Mint. You may remember my contribution to his first graphic novel that came out last year. It was a real thrill to be able to one again have some of my work share the same pages as Justin's stellar work (as well as the very talented Lee Bretschneider and Tara Abbamondi!). This time around Justin gave me free reign and didn't want to see it until I was finished, so I went back to my roots and had some Godzilla fun...

Godzilla vs Mothra?
Art by Christopher Burdett
Characters © 2012 Justin Peterson

Once again, I can not recommend the comic stylings of Justin enough. His work is super awesome and in Uncanny he is joined by two other outstanding artists to make a great little anthology. Here is a pic of the cover of Uncanny VNM (just so you know you are buying the right comic!).

Uncanny Very Near Mint by Justin Peterson!

If blow past all the amazing comic art in Uncanny VNM and get to the back you will see my monster pin up in all its black and white glory. I am told volume 2 of Very Neat Mint will be done soon, so that means I need to get moving on another pin up!

Uncanny Very Near Mint Pin up!

One more time, just in case you missed it before, if you are interesting in more information or in purchasing a copy of any of Justin's books, head over to the Adventuring Company website!

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you all 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

Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea

I recently received my copy of an art anthology I was a part of. Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea is a collection of contemporary artists that are producing work for and in the style of old-style fantasy RPGs. It was a honor to be a part of it and it is a real sharp book to hold in your hands. Over 30 artists contributed work to this book and if you are a fan of this style of gaming and art you really should take the time to go check out Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea!

Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea now available at lulu.com!

I have three pieces in the book and they each received an entire page to stretch their elbows and hang out. You might remember seeing these pieces here on the blog, they were produced for Knockspell #2 and Knockspell #3 released by Mythmere Games. I tip my hat and extend my thanks to Matt Finch, the master mind behind both Knockspell and Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea.

Poison Wine, Polymorph Plaque and Skeletal Minotaur
© 2011 Christopher Burdett

Make sure you run right out and get yourself a copy of Surge of the Wine-Dark Sea! It is a really nice collection of old-style fantasy RPG artwork all in one publication!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog! See you back here next week for more fun! Until then...

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

Very Near Mint volume one

Recently, I had the privilege to contribute to Justin Peterson's first graphic novel, Very Near Mint volume one. I have known Justin and his most excellent work for a while now and it was a real treat to be included on this project. He has been laboring away day and night on his graphic novel, and now through hard work and perseverance he has made it a reality! I made for him a pin-up that featured his main characters reenacting the cover of Fantastic Four #1...

The Fantastic 2?
Art by Christopher Burdett
Characters © 2011 Justin Peterson

I can't speak highly enough of Justin and his work. If you like books full of great looking comic art and a great story I can't recommend Very Near Mint volume one enough. Justin has been doing the convention circuit lately getting the word out, but I managed to use my connections to get my copy so that I can share my contribution. Here is a look at the cover...

Very Near Mint volume one by Justin Peterson

If you blow past all the amazing work that Justin put into VNM you will find a pin-up section in the back of the book. Since my last name begins with a 'B' I got to go first! I am really happy with how it reproduced. I hope Justin thinks of me when volume two is in production!

Very Near Mint volume one Pin-ups! Four in total, gotta catch them all!
(mine is the one on the left)

One more time, just in case you missed it before, if you are interesting in more information or in purchasing a copy, there is a handy dandy website devoted to Very Near Mint volume one!

That is all for today, I will 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

Night Reign

Way back at the very beginning of 2009 I did some line art pieces for Destiny Games Publishing for their new 4th Edition D&D project titled Night Reign. This was some of the first freelance work I took after getting back on my feet as a freelancer (see 2009 - The year I got serious for more info on that). They were creating a new campaign setting that was 4th Edition compatible and it sounded like a fun project to get involved with. Unbeknown to me the project was finally released in March of this year. I stumbled over this fact a day or two ago and I am happy to finally share the pieces I produced for Night Reign!

Dragon Breeder Summoner
© 2010 Destiny Games Publishing

Tiefling Monk
© 2010 Destiny Games Publishing

These were a much needed ego and moral boast at the time I created them. Sadly I still didn't have my head around the whole use reference thing. They were a lot of fun to create though. There was another version of the Summoner that was initially rejected and it is for the best now that I look back at the drawings. At the time I was really attached to the first version... now, not so much. I hope you enjoy this blast from my past, it is really nice to finally share these, even if they are practically two years old.

That is all for today, 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

Knockspell Magazine #3

Knockspell Magazine #3 by Mythmere Games was released toward the end of October / beginning of November and somehow I missed it's release. I contributed two pieces to this issue and both center around a Minotaur Lord. Now where have I seen Minotaurs lately?? Make sure you pick yourself up a copy of Knockspell #3 now available through Black Blade Publishing!



I worked with Matt Finch of Mythmere Games this time around. It is always fun to get a chance to do line art, though I used more then just lines. I really wanted to get a lot of texture into these and had a great time doing it. Looking back I had forgotten when I actually made these. They were finished up right before Comic Con in July. How time flies. But I am happy to share these with you now!

I should have a Dreamblade piece for you tomorrow... if all goes well... As the year comes crashing to an end my schedule is becoming more and more... FULL. I hope to be able to bring you posts on my regular schedule through out the holidays and into new year, but I know there will be gabs. So please bear with me and I will do my best! Until then...

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

Artorder Sketch - B&W Vampires

If you missed it, last weeks concepts are up at Artorder as well as the next two assignments. Here is my concept for this week...

As a note, the final size is 3" x 6.75" as requested, just shown here larger for your viewing pleasure.

The assignment for this week was to depict a pair of vampires. The piece had to be black and white line art and include several other key details, a full description can be found here. Jon Schindehette really raised the bar on this one. Not only is he giving out an art commission to the 'winner' but he has invited several other art directors from competing companies to have their say and possibly discover new artist. A list of those other art directors can be found here. So there will probably be a lot of new faces on the line up this Tuesday besides the regulars that participate each week, should be exciting!

Don't forget to visit ArtOrder every Tuesday to vote for your favorite artist by leaving their name in the comment field of the Concept Tuesday post! A vote for me is a vote for the future!

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