Woodbane's Diagram - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

I am thrilled to share another new piece from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! This illustration is for Book Two: The Completed Circle. This is one of three color pieces that will appear in book two. I previously shared with you the first. This is a supporting image for The Arrival section of the book. As one of Woodbane's diagrams appearing in his book series, Woodbane's Journal of Beings, this illustration depicts several species native to the continent of Thrakaa that are now extinct. The large quadruped in the center was a swamp-dwelling silt feeder used as a beast of burden and can be seen as the mount in The Arrival illustration.  Moving forward, I plan to have at least one of this style of illustration in the books. I plan to eventually have a book built around them as it focuses on the flora and fauna of the planet. I present Woodbane's Diagram.

Woodbane's Diagram
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle

11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, gouache, and acrylic paint on paper 

Original - AVAILABLE!
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

Woodbane's Diagram - Drawing
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper 

Original - AVAILABLE!
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

This is an extremely rare occasion in the Grand Bazaar, where there are two originals available for this piece. There is the finished inked and painted final image, as well as the pencil drawing that was used to work out the image before inking. The drawing was transferred to paper, and the inking and painting went onto that image, leaving the pencil drawing available, too. You can see the drawing above, and below is the finished inks that I scanned before I started painting.

Woodbane's Diagram - Ink work

11 x 14 - Ink on paper
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

This is a tribute to my love of museum displays and scientific illustrations that show cross-sections of things. I have loved them since I was a child, and to this day, they bring me joy. It was a true joy to finally make one of these for my world and my book. Here is a look at the sketch for Woodbane's Diagram to show where it began.

 

Woodbane's Diagram - Sketch

Digital
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

As a bonus, I have some images of this piece coming together. The first image shows the pencil drawing being worked on, and you can see the digital sketch behind the sheet of paper I am drawing on. The rest of the image shows the ink and paint work happening. It has been some time since I did a larger involved traditional color illustration. While I knew I could do it, I felt a little rusty. Thankfully, it all came back to me, and I am happy with the final product. I just know that the more of these I do, the better they will get.

Woodbane's Diagram - Process
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

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

Yote Portrait - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

I am thrilled to share another new piece from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. This illustration is for Book Two: The Completed Circle. I say new, but this was completed in early December 2022. While I am currently focused on large pieces for the book, I have been fitting in smaller pieces to help me feel like I am moving forward in production. If you are familiar with the first book, you know that each chapter begins with one or more 'man of the street' hot takes on the subject of the chapter. It will be no different in book two, but now you will have a face to go along with the words at the beginning of each chapter. This was something I had wanted to do for book one, but one of the things that fell by the wayside just to get the book across the finish line. Now I have been able to make it a reality for book two. I am immensely enjoying making these smaller pieces. They are quicker to complete, add a slice of worldbuilding, and give a face to a name and species. Going to start off with the first one that I finished, though after this, I will likely share alphabetically to stay on brand. I present you with a Yote (name and/or chassis number to come later).

Yote
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
5 x 5 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - SOLD
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

 

Yote - Drawing 

5 x 5 - Pencil on paper
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

 

These are by far the smallest pieces created for the books. More and more, I find myself working larger and larger. There is something really lovely about a 5 x 5 image, and I have already framed them all up. They look great in a frame an will make a nice addition to my conventions later in the year. For now, I am focused on making more of them and moving ahead on big illustrations. Here is a look at the sketch for the Yote to show where it began.

 

Yote - Sketch 

Digital
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

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

The Arrival - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

I am thrilled to share another new piece from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. This illustration is for Book Two: The Completed Circle. As the final piece I completed in 2022, it is the first to share in 2023. This piece will be the second central environmental plate of the book and depicts the band of heroes arriving at the Grand Bazaar as their adventure continues. As this is an ancient story, we see the Grand Bazaar in its early days. Only several hundred years old at this point, the tenting hasn't been completed yet, and the Grand Bazaar is just a shadow of what it will eventually become. As a side note, this was the piece that I was the least looking forward to doing and went through MANY iterations before I came up with this composition to tell the story. Through the work I put into it, it is now one of my favorite pieces I have done for the books, and I believe it marks a moment of skill improvement for me. I wish you could see this one in person, as scans and images do not do it justice. I present to you with The Arrival.

The Arrival
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
16 x 20 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - SOLD
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

 

The Arrival - Drawing 

16 x 20 - Pencil on paper
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

 

This is the second of three larger pieces I am currently working on. Once they are completed, I will move back to a pair of connected character illustrations, which will be followed by the first of two huge pieces that I have planned for the book. Always more to do, but as long as I stay focused, they will all get completed. Here is a look at the sketch for The Arrival to show where it began.

 

The Arrival - Sketch 

Digital
© 2022 Christopher Burdett

As a bonus, I have some images of the rendering process of this piece so that you can get a better idea of it taking shape.

The Arrival - Process

© 2022 Christopher Burdett

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