The Last of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Bookplate Drawings

After selling out of all available Deluxe versions of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia at Pensacon in February, I knew that I needed to get to work completing the remaining bookplate drawings. In addition to the Hardcover, D&D stats guide, coloring book, and an exclusive clamshell case, the deluxe version of my book come with a bookplate that is signed, stamped, and numbered (only 100 of them) and features an original drawing. Creating 100 of these has been a lot of work and one that I didn't fully anticipate to be as time-consuming as it ended up being. Thankfully, after one final push, they are all not completed. That means the last 21 available deluxe versions of my book are ready to go to forever homes! Here are some images of the remaining bookplates.

21 bookplates awaiting their stamps

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

 

Drawn, signed, stamped, labeled, and numbered!

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

Here are a few close-up images of the bookplates. These are fun to work on, but when I need to get through more than twenty, it can become a chore - but one I will gladly do again with each book I complete.

Monsters and beings come in all sizes and shapes in the Grand Bazaar.

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

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

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

Recent Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Bookplates

I have been taking a little blog break as I posted my 100 days of Dungeons & Dragons. Hard to keep all the plates spinning sometimes, and it is easier to focus on the least involved venture for a while and let the other sit on the back burners. I think I am due a bit of a break, mainly since I have run this blog since 2009, but that is neither here nor there. 

Today I am sharing a selection of recent Grand Bazaar bookplates that I had at IX in October. Since this was the first time the books would be in the wild, I knew I needed to get some bookplates ready ahead of time. While I may have been a little overzealous in getting twelve completely, I was surprised with how many deluxe versions sold at IX and in the following weeks. No complaints will be coming from me. The only regret is that I have not shared these with you sooner - which is where the first paragraph of this post comes in.

Before my next event, I will need to draw some more of these, but I have a few months to worry about that. For now, here are some images of the plates.

 

Each deluxe version of my book comes with a signed and numbered bookplate that features an original drawing and stamp. With only 100 deluxe versions available, your opportunity to get one decreases all the time. 

 

The Smokestack is one of my go-to images for the bookplates. They are fun to draw, and I love any excuse to use the Shaper stamp. 

 

Sometimes I like to draw characters that are briefly mentioned or will be mentioned in the future. 

 

Things in jars and bottles are a mainstay of the Grand Bazaar and for bookplates.

 

A little guest appearance of Sister, who will be making her debut in book three.

 

This was easily my favorite of this set of bookplates, and it was the first to go at IX. Don't worry, there will likely be another Ethra or two on bookplates before we reach the end. 

 

Like the Smokestack, the fan-favorite of the Gray Wanderer has adorned many bookplates.

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

Recent Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Bookplate Drawing

Remember when my book's Kickstarter began as a global pandemic decided upon us all just over a year ago? Yeah, those were fun times. Thanks to Jon Schindehette at ArtOrder, my book was published and released in the middle of the pandemic. That was only this past August, which feels closer to ten years ago. Out of the ashes of 2020, there are some things that I am really proud of, and The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is one of them. I wanted to share with you another recent bookplate that I created for one of the 100 limited edition deluxe versions of my books. I had plans to draw all 100 in one go, but after the 55 required for the fulfillment of the Kickstarter, I needed a break, and I have been drawing as they sell. We are up to 65 (actually 66, I am keeping number 100) copies of the deluxe versions gone, and I may take the time soon to draw the remaining plates. That is a whole lot of talking to share a drawing, so here a recent Grand Bazaar bookplate.

Drawn, signed, stamped, labeled, and numbered!

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals and Books

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

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

I Came Here to Art

I had several ideas for today's blog post. There was a recap of IX Online so far, a look at some reused Dungeons & Dragons art, an update to my book production, or a look at a new Monte Cook book with some resued monsters in it. I had options to choose from, but when I got here to write about one of these topics, I was left without words. There is much happening in the world, and as much as I have tried to prevent it, it has bled over into my thoughts. Of course, how could it not? We continue to live under the specter of a pandemic that has gone all put unchallenged in this country. There is social and civil unrest. And the presidential election is tomorrow. I am not here to talk about political leanings, if you know me, you know where I stand, and if you read my book, you can probably figure it out as well. I don't have answers, and I don't know what the next few days, weeks, and months have in store for us as Americans or the world. There is a lot to be nervous about and to be afraid of. BUT I have done my part. I have done my civic duty. I have contributed to candidates at the state (including outside my home state) and national levels because that is what I can do. I am getting too old to fight in the streets, but I can fight with my wallet. 

As with much of the human experience, it is a group effort. We are all in this together, and we must work as a team to survive. Though I am not sure how many remember this fact anymore. I have faith that as a whole, we can find a way through this, but this is not the beginning of the end. This is the end of the beginning. We have a lot of work to do, no matter the outcome. I just hope that we have the strength, the perseverance, and the intelligence to do what must be done. Only time will tell.

So that I am not leaving you without any art, here is a bookplate that recently went out in the mail with a deluxe edition of  The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. If you want one of your own, you can get them on my store.

 

New bookplate for a deluxe edition of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. I hope to be back with some art 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

More Grand Bazaar Bookplates!

As far as I am aware, the books are still making their way through customs. I am told that once they are through and ready to be shipped, I will be notified so that I can schedule the delivery window. That said, here are the remaining bookplates that will be going to those lucky enough to get one of the deluxe format sets of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. These were really fun to work on, and as I worked on them, I realized that I had the opportunity to flesh out some of the background beings and monsters from the large environment illustrations in the book. Once you get the book, you will be able to look back at these bookplates and may recognize some familiar faces from the crowds. There are still plenty of Gray Wanderers and Smokestacks in there too. If you missed the first batch of bookplates, you see them here. Here are the remaining bookplate drawings.

Monsters and constructs and beings, OH MY!

All the bookplates ready to be numbered.

Drawn, signed, stamped, labeled, and numbered!

The bookplates are ready to travel out into the world.

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals

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

Updates From the Grand Bazaar and Bookplates

Never for a moment believe that we have forgotten about the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! For there is big news to share. I have received word that the books have landed and are at the port in New York. Big news, indeed! Once they are through customs, I will be notified regarding shipping and delivery. Everything appears to still be on schedule, and the books are almost here.

Regarding the remainder of my responsibilities with the first book and Kickstarter deliverables, I am hard at work on the bookplates. Fifty-five of the one hundred deluxe collector's editions sold through the Kickstarter, and I am nearing the finish line for those first plates. Each bookplate comes with an original drawing, the crest stamp or Ethra or the official mark of Shaper, my signature, and they are numbered. I will be numbering them as a block when they are all done. Once completed, they will be sent to ArtOrder, where they will be distributed with the books. Each drawing is different and unique. While there are a lot of Gray Wanderers and Smokestacks, there are also plenty of other beings from the Bazaar as well as specimen jars and artifacts. Here are some of the completed and stamped bookplates that will be going out into the world. I will be sharing more with you soon!

Monsters and constructs and beings, OH MY!

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals

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