Random Old Drawing - Charmander

I should be posting my IX recap... it has been nearly two weeks... BUT...

It is Friday, and I am super busy working on the next book and building courses. That means I have reached back into the archives and grabbed a random drawing to share again today. This one goes back to 2012 and is a redesign of a Pokémon. I only did a few of these before I moved on to other monsters, but I had a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Bound Cleaver Redesign

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

© 2013 Christopher Burdett

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

Random Old Drawing - Bound Cleaver

It is Friday, and I am super busy working on the next book and building courses. That means I have reached back into the archives and grabbed a random drawing to share again today. This one goes back to 2013 and is a redesign of an original creation from 2005 that I submitted and was accepted for the miniatures game, Dreamblade. While the original design was accepted, in the end, it was never turned into a mini. Jump ahead eight years, and I really wanted to see this design improved upon with everything I had been learning. I wrote at length about this here on the blog in 2013. Enjoy!

Bound Cleaver Redesign

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

© 2013 Christopher Burdett

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Jackal

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Jackal. Enjoy!

Jackal redesign
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

 

One of the reasons that I like this one was because of its inclusion in the Monster Manual. It is accompanied with the sentence:

 

"They appear here because of the magical bag of trick." 

 

This was the perfect bit of information that led to how I wanted to depict this creature. And I think it is all the better for it.

 

  That's 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

Revisiting Black Crusade - Giant Spined Chaos Beast

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a trio of monsters from the RPG supplement Black Crusade. I was doing so many of these at the same time that many blur together. This one was a big scary monster stomping on some human soldier, fun times.

Giant Spined Chaos Beast 

Black Crusade

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Giant Spined Chaos Beast Drawing

Black Crusade

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

 

 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

Revisiting the Monsters - Basilisk

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Basilisk. Enjoy!

Basilisk redesign
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

 That's 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

Revisiting Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos - Diablodon

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a trio of monsters from the RPG supplement Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos. I was doing so many of these at the same time that many blur together. This is a big dinosaur thing that was fun to make, but I just wish I did some things differently. But for the amount I was paid and the timeline I was working under, this is amazing.

Diablodon

Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Diablodon

Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Axe Beak

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Axe Beak. And this isn't my first version of this, but my third. The first one was finished - which I didn't like it, the second was scrapped mid-drawing, and that left the third version that I liked. Enjoy!

Axe Beak redesign (version 2) (2013)
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Black Crusade - Corruptis

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a trio of monsters from the RPG supplement Black Crusade. I was doing so many of these at the same time that many blur together. This one was fun, though the face came out a little smiley, but I think that adds to the piece overall. You would think a giant space demon would find a better way to read a book that burns them on contact.

Corruptis

Black Crusade

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Corruptis Drawing

Black Crusade

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Ant (Giant)

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my third... fourth... pass through the book with the Ant (Giant). Enjoy!

Ant (Giant) redesign (2013)
© 2013/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter - Plaguebearer

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a quartet of monsters from the RPG supplement Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter. I always liked these monsters a lot, and I can see things starting to click for me in the creation of these. I thought I would revisit these pieces, share the drawings for them that have never been shared (it looks like I never shared the process either, but that isn't happening today), and show off a monster that is now sixteen years old. This is likely my favorite of the four that I did for this assignment.

Plaguebearer

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

 

Plaguebearer

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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

Phaerimm Miniature

Today, I have for you a miniature based on one of my illustrations. I updated the Phaerimm for the release of Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerun. When I painted this piece, I hoped that there would be a miniature eventually made of it, and all I needed to do was be a little patient. To start things off, here is my illustration of the Phaerimm.

Phaerimm

Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerun

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2025 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Here are some images of the miniature so that you can compare them to the painting. I love that they did a fairly good job of getting all the creepy hand positions in there. I think it turned out really well!

Phaerimm miniature

Adventures in Faerun

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Unicorn

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my second pass through the book with the Unicorn. Enjoy!

Unicorn redesign (2011)
© 2011/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting the Monsters - Troglodyte

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful, as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my second pass through the book with the Troglodyte. Enjoy! 

Troglodyte redesign (2011)
© 2011/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

The Return of the Beasts - Beastly Scribe

Continuing to look back as I work forward. At one point, I had the time and the energy to do practice drawings, studies, and simply draw for the fun of it. These days I nearly exclusively draw with an intended goal. But fourteen years ago, it was quite different. At the time, I was completing a series of Beastly characters. I was working with reference to build my skill sets, and in the end I made a lot of weird animal warriors. This is a pig with a plan, and is one of my favorites from the set. 

Beastly Scribe

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper
© 2012/2026 Christopher Burdett

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Sahuagin

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my second pass through the book with the Sahuagin. Enjoy!

Sahuagin redesign (2011)
© 2011/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter - Pink Horror

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a quartet of monsters from the RPG supplement Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter. I always liked these monsters a lot, and I can see things starting to click for me in the creation of these. I thought I would revisit these pieces, share the drawings for them that have never been shared (it looks like I never shared the process either, but that isn't happening today), and show off a monster that is now sixteen years old. This is one of my two favorite of the pieces done for the book, next week's in my favorite of the assignemnt.

Pink Horror

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Pink Horror

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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 Return of the Beasts - Beastly Fighter

Continuing to look back as I work forward. At one point, I had the time and the energy to do practice drawings, studies, and simply draw for the fun of it. These days I nearly exclusively draw with an intended goal. But fourteen years ago, it was quite different. At the time, I was completing a series of Beastly characters. I was working with reference to build my skill sets, and in the end I made a lot of weird animal warriors. This is an alligator with a sword. 

Beastly Fighter

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper
© 2012/2026 Christopher Burdett

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

Revisiting the Monsters - Ogre

In 2010, sixteen years ago now, I began a personal project to redesign most, if not all, of the monsters in the original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. That original MM had a profound effect on me and led me to eventually work on the game. While I was already working on the game when I began this project, it did prove useful as I have redesigned many D&D monsters in my career on the game. In the end, I completed over 100 drawings for the project and even had a gallery show featuring the work.

I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favorites. Today brings us back to my second pass through the book with the Ogre. Enjoy!

Ogre redesign (2011)
© 2011/2026 Christopher Burdett 

That's 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

Revisiting Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter - Daemonette

Either in late 2010 or very early 2011, I worked on one of several Warhammer 40K assignments. At the time, I was doing a lot of them for very, very low pay, as was common at the time. Learning a lot and making monsters for pennies on the dollar. One of the assignments was for a quartet of monsters from the RPG supplement Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter. I always liked these monsters a lot, and I can see things starting to click for me in the creation of these. I thought I would revisit these pieces, share the drawings for them that have never been shared (it looks like I never shared the process either, but that isn't happening today), and show off a monster that is now sixteen years old. This is another one they wanted me to stretch out, again, I prefer the proportions in the drawing over the painting.

Daemonette

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

7 x 10 - Digital
© 2011 Fantasy Flight Games

Daemonette

Dark Heresy - Daemon Hunter

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

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 Return of the Beasts - Beastly Caster

Continuing to look back as I work forward. At one point, I had the time and the energy to do practice drawings, studies, and simply draw for the fun of it. These days I nearly exclusively draw with an intended goal. But fourteen years ago, it was quite different. At the time, I was completing a series of Beastly characters. I was working with reference to build my skill sets, and in the end I made a lot of weird animal warriors. This is a something or another casting a spell.

Beastly Caster

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper
© 2012/2026 Christopher Burdett

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