A Second Look at Older Work - Zambit

This is one of the images I had originally prepped for my series of posts that focused on revisiting old, but favorite, monsters that I have done over the past twenty years of my career. While this one was meant to be posted before June, here we are in August, and he has finally made it to the blog again.

Today, I have another of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. As mentioned previously, I originally painted these in 2010, the project never saw completion, and my work was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share my work on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game, and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encountered in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them, and I played around with the lighting as well.

Wandering Eye

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. I do love a reptilian monster, and this one was a lot of fun. I was given a lot of room to have fun with its gear and weapons. Likely, I could draw and paint lizard dude all day. This still remains a favorite of mine for a lot of reasons.

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

Ceiling Tiles Remembered

Sixteen and then again fifteen years ago, I painted monsters on the ceiling tiles of a local taco chain. They would do contests for locals to submit the tiles, and then there would be a vote resulting in the winner receiving a gift card or some such thing. You would think I would remember, as I won both times I competed, but some details are lost to time. Recently, the second submission, which was a pair of tiles creating one image, made the rounds on Facebook, and I was reminded of them. I looked up the restaurant to realize it has been closed for a while, and it looks like something else has taken its place. This sadly means that my tiles are in a landfill or have been painted over. My money is that they were destroyed. Oh well, these things happen. To add to it, I can not locate the original images, only these cropped and modified versions I originally shared when they were created. My original posts are still on the blog as well if you would like to see what I had to say about them at the time. Here again are all the images of the ceiling tiles that are now lost to the ages.

Cieling hot sauce monster likes his tacos!

The ceiling tiles in the restaurant.

A detail of the paintwork on this one. It was a mix of acrylic paint and paint markers.

The second time I created tiles for the restaurant, it was a pair of tiles depicting an epic battle between Godzilla and the Tacoauras.

Close up of Godzilla...

...and the taco monsters.

A detail of Godzilla.

Some pair of process images. Again, it was a combination of acrylic paint and paint markers.

And finally, the pair of tiles on the ceiling of the restaurant. Hopefully, they are together in the landfill.

That's 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

Magic: The Gathering in Miniature II Show Artists Proofs Now Available!

My artist proofs created for the Magic: The Gathering in Miniature II Show have returned to me, and they are now available on my store and will be touring with me at my summer conventions. It has been an honor to be part of both shows. For the second show, I created a series of pieces focused on the more monstrous Plainswalkers. They were super fun. You can find these and all my other artist proofs on my store. 

Karn

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

 

Vraska

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Angrath

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

 

Here are the cards again with their fronts. These are the first time I have drawn these characters, and they were a ton of fun to work on. I haven't worked on anything official using Plainswalkers, and I haven't been asked to draw any, that come to mind, on the back of a proof, which added to the fun of making these. 

Karn

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Angrath

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Vraska

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Wandering Eye

This month marks twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have another of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. As mentioned previously, I originally painted these in 2010, the project never saw completion, and my work was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share my work on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game, and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encountered in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them, and I played around with the lighting as well. 

Wandering Eye

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. I always enjoy the weird ones, and this checks all the boxes. While I was asked to stick to certain physical characteristics, I was free to have a little more fun with this one. And for your knowledge, the source material for this one some from long before an animated movie about monsters.

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Giant Scorpion

This month marks twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have another of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. As mentioned previously, I originally painted these in 2010, the project never saw completion, and my work was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share the work I did on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game, and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encountered in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them, and I played around with the lighting as well.

Giant Scorpion

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. Another fun one where I could just make a fun monster and enjoy the painting process. I like insect monsters right behind reptile monsters, so I was right at home on this one. This is still very much a favorite of mine and not the only scorpion monster that I have created over the years.

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Fire Lizard

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have another of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. As mentioned previously, I originally painted these in 2010, the project never saw completion, and my work was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share the work I did on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game, and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encountered in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them, and I played around with the lighting as well.

Fire Lizard

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. This was a fun one to make and I had a ton of enjoyment working on the textures and patterning. I love working on reptiles and anphibians abd this one offered that up and then some. This was one of the first pieces that I began putting the wobbly meet ribbon down the side of my creatures. It was in the reference I was using for this one and it just clicked with me and have been a go to element ever since.

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Ettin

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have another of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. As mentioned last week, I originally painted in 2010, the project never saw completion, and the work I did was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share the work I did on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images I that I created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encounted in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them and I played around with the lighting as well.

Ettin

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. This is likely one of, if not my favorite of the pieces done for the project. There is a look and feel that I still love, and I still get a kick out of their faces. There is a lot of my personal esthethic in this one as well.

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

A Second Look at Older Work - Air Devil

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to have fallen through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have one of several pieces I did for a game that was never completed. Originally painted in 2010, the project never saw completion, and the work I did was shelved due to NDAs. In 2015, I received permission to share the work I did on the game as long as I didn't talk about the specifics of the project. That was the only time I shared this work. I always liked the work I did for the game, and they always had a soft spot in my art heart for them, well, most of them. The images I created would have been used as hero art for various monsters encountered in the game. I loved the photo studio quality to them, and I played around with the lighting as well. I believe this was one of the first that I completed for the project, and it is still one of my favorites.

Air Devil

5.35 x 7 - Digital

© 2010 Christopher Burdett

As a side note, you can see more about this monster here on the blog. This was also one of those times I likely underbid myself in an attempt to get the project. I will never know what I could have likely been paid for this work, but I know I wasn't paid enough. But I learned from it!

That is all for another exciting Friday on the blog now that I have concluded my May blog break. 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

A Second Look at Older Work - Usagi Yojimbo - San Diego Comic-Con Souvenir Brochure

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-sixth year as a working artist. I have made a lot of work over these years, and as I focus on larger projects with multi-year timelines, it is hard to keep this blog updated regularly. I have kept this thing going since 2009, and I would like for it to continue. To that end, I thought I would look back at works I particularly liked, enjoyed making, or seemed to fall through the cracks and went unnoticed.

Today, I have for you a piece completed in 2009 (the year I got serious) and was for the San Diego Comic-Con Souvenir Brochure. There was an open submission for art entries related to one of the various celebrations or anniversaries in the comic industry in 2009. Stan Sakai was being honored for twenty fives years of his Usagi Yojimbo series (I guess it is now 41 years!). I am a HUGE Sakai and Usagi Yojimbo fan, and sixteen years ago, I apparently had the time and interest to do a tribute piece for the brochure. There was no guarantee that your work would be accepted, but I did it anyway. Ultimately, my work was selected and included in the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con Souvenir Brochure. I had a very awkward moment meeting Stan to thank him and put my face to my art in the brochure.

Usagi Yojimbo

Digital

San Diego Comic Con Souvenir Brochure

It is fun to look back at older work to see things that became things you repeatedly do in your contemporary art. I still love these golem samurai that are full of hellfire. If you want to see and read more about this piece, you must know by now there are posts here on the blog to assist you!

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here next week! Until then...

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

The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons - The Return of the Kobold Sorcerer

I recently realized I had a piece make an encore appearance in a recently released Dungeons & Dragons book. The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons was released a year ago and features a piece initially published in 2022 for Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse. This time around, the wiley Kobold Sorcerer has been republished. To start things off, here is the final painting of the Kobold Sorcerer.

Kobold Sorcerer

Originally from Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tanji

© 2022 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This is one of my favorite recent pieces. It is always fun to see the ones I like to get a chance to be seen by more people. When The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons was announced and released, I thought it would be fun to work on. It is nice to see that, in a tiny way, I did contribute to it. Here is a look at the book's cover so that you can hunt it down to complete your collection of my works.

The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons

Recently, it has felt as if most of my reused work has been very old work that I am not necessarily thrilled with seeing again, so it is great when it is one that I still like and holds up - granted, this piece is only two years old, so you would hope that this is true. Lastly, here is a photo of the art in the book. It printed great, and there is some fun layout in the book for sure.

Kobold Sorcerer in handy dandy book form!

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here next week! Until then...

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

Magic: The Gathering in Miniature II Show - THIS WEEKEND!

As mentioned in February, I am a part of the Magic: The Gathering in Miniature II Show, taking place at Nucleus Gallery in Alhambra, CA. From April 13, 2024 - April 28, 2024. The show opens tomorrow and is a collection of Magic the Gathering artist proofs adorned with drawings and paintings on their backs. Though the show opens tomorrow for the public, those who are donors to the gallery have early access starting today. After the show cloeses, for the following year, the unsold cards will be available online through the gallery. The show page for the gallery has all the information, previews, details, and artist list. I have four pieces in the show and they are all monstrous Planeswalkers - Angrath, Karn, Quintorius Kand, and Vraska. They are each on the back of a Gudul Lurker. Here are the cards I will have in the show! 

Karn

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Quintorius Kand

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Vraska

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Angrath

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Here are the cards again with their fronts. These are the first time I have drawn these characters and they were a ton of fun to work on. I hope they find their forever homes!

Karn

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Quintorius Kand

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Vraska

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

Angrath

Marker, ink, and acrylic paint on a Magic the Gathering artist proof

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here next week! Until then...

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

Wanewort - Dungeons & Dragons - Process

Today, I am happy to share the process and steps for the second of two (three, but more on that another day) contributions to the Dungeons & Dragons supplement, The Book of Many Things. I saved my favorite for last. While I haven't been actively working to get our cats into gaming art, but when the opportunity arose I made sure to get our cats into D&D. This will not be the last time you see the cats either, I have on good authoridy that little gray Zemo may be seen on something Magical later in the year, or next year. For now my familiar, ornage Mietze is only in D&D. Here is the final painting for Wanewort (and her cats).

Wanewort

The Book of Many Things

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Bree Heiss

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I was asked to illustrate Wanewort and her two cats. I knew this was going to be a good assignemnt becuase of the inclusion of cats. Cats make everything better - unless you are trying to make the bed. Wanewort was described as:

Intent: This monster illustration shows WANEWORT, an eccentric NIGHT HAG who works closely with a thieves’ guild called the Moonstalkers.

Action: WANEWORT is a NIGHT HAG with HALF-MOON GLASSES. She wears a knowing dastardly grin. She holds one CALICO CAT in her arms, and a GRAY CAT rubs up against her leg. She wears a dress, some scarves, and has a number of odd hag’s TRINKETS hanging off her clothes.

Mood: An ECCENTRIC, probably EVIL but nonetheless LOVABLE old woman who has more power than she lets on.

This is, of course, awesome, and something really fun to work on. You may have noticed that she is described as having a calico and a gray cat. The trouble is that we have an orange cat and a gray cat. I reached out to production to see if I could change the calico into an ornage and they agreed, opening my way to have our kitties in the book. You may have also noticed that she should have half-moon glasses and in the painting she does not. Yeah, well, I forgot them and didn't relize this omission until I was done with the painting. Every attempt to add them in and not mess up her expression failed and so I submitted the piece as you see it. Either the lack of glasses was never noticed, or like me, they decided it was fine without them. Here are the thumbnails that I submitted. 

Wanewort - Thumbnails

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

Oh, did I fail to mention reference photos? I have to share my photo reference for the final painitng. With two cats, an apron, and a cape you too can have all the reference you need to make yourself a Nighthag. Mietze was not partcluarly happy about all this and Zemo was just wandering around.

 

Wanewort reference for all your kitty cat reference needs!

Needless to say that option 'C' was the winner and I was 100% on board for this one. I did like option 'A' a lot, but 'C' has a lot of personality. With the thumbnail approved it was time for drawing! Here is the Wanewort drawing.

Wanewort

The Book of Many Things

11 x 14 -Colored pencil on paper

Original - NFS (I am keeping this one!)

Art Director - Bree Heiss

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The drawing was approved without any edit notes, and it was time to start on the final painting. Here is the painting of Wanewort taking shape.

Wanewort - Process

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This one was a dream to paint. I had great reference, I was painting my cats, and I was once again getting to be the monster. While my wife very much wanted to be the monster this time, I knew Mietze would not put up with her handling him this much. And, well, I wanted to be the monster. Compared to the other two paintings, especially the one I am not sharing, this one was quick, easy, and fun. Not that the other two were an issue, but... cats. Cats are fun to paint, espacially my cats. Here again is the final paitning for Wanewort.

Wanewort

The Book of Many Things

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

That's all for another exciting Wendesday 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