The DOODLES, DESIGNS, and aRT of CHRISTOPHER BURDETT: toned paper

Showing posts with label toned paper. Show all posts

Monday, June 1, 2026

The State of the Grand Bazaar - June 2026

The last five months have been a blur. I began writing book two on January 1st, and I have devoted multiple hours a day, every day to writing and working on the book. And if I needed to miss a day, extra work is done on another day to make up for it. I have been burning the candle at both ends, but I am seeing results, and the book is taking shape. I could not be happier with how things are progressing, and it is exciting to see the book taking shape after working on it for the past six years. There is still plenty of work to do, which is why there is a 2027 completion date, and not one in 2026.

All of this and MORE was already shared with those following my mailing list, and if you want to see things first and see everything, then all you need to do is join my mailing list.

Punch the keys!

(This image is out of date, and more writing has been completed since.)

The State of Writing

The third column, listed as The Completed Circle, is the story within the story of book two. It is also, by far and away, the largest and most involved part of the next book. And it is all completely written. It was the very first thing that I tackled because I had to, as everything else will be in response to this story in the book (and a lot of other stuff, because nothing is simple or easy when I make things).

With the Street Voices now completed as well (they were an absolute joy to write, and they all went SO quickly), I went through the Completed Circle again as a whole to edit and update before I started writing Reginald's sections. It took a little work to find the voice for a young and enthusiastic Reggy, but I have locked it in, and his sections are taking shape as I type this.

Needless to say, things are progressing well, it is all taking shape, and I just need to stay focused, and soon I will have another book for you!

Number Goes UP!

This is not an image of what I have written so far. This is what I have written for ONLY the third-to-last chapter of The Completed Circle story within the story. There is a lot going on and a lot to resolve, and this one got big... really big. And book two was supposed to be a smaller book! Hopefully, this is a proof of concept image for all of you!

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

Monday, January 26, 2026

Vanish into the Night - 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 and is the final chapter art in the book. Can't really tell you too much about this one. It being the end of the story and all. You will have to wait for the book to learn more about what is happening.

Vanish into the Night
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper

Original - Contact me if interested
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

Vanish into the Night - Drawing

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for Vanish into the Night to show where it began.

Vanish into the Night - Sketch

Digital

Vanish into the Night - Tonal study

Digital

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. Again, this one was straightforward. As I have nearing the completion of the chapter plates, I really hit my groove and stayed in it. These final few pieces were a joy to work on, and they FLEW by. I addressed the figure first, then the deep background, and then filled in the world around the figure.

Vanish into the Night - Process

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

Monday, January 19, 2026

Unwinnable Odds - 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 and is the penultimate chapter art in the book. The hero in the bowels of the Warren, seeking to bring justice to the vile Basilisk, has come face-to-face with Giant Eaters. What hope does he have against such... Unwinnable Odds. Will he survive the day?

Unwinnable Odds
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper

Original - Contact me if interested
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

Unwinnable Odds - Drawing

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for Unwinnable Odds to show where it began.

Unwinnable Odds - Sketch

Digital

Unwinnable Odds - Tonal study

Digital

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. This one was straightforward. Started with the main character focal point and worked my way down the grasping hands. I finished with the background because I wanted to try something different and experiment with the process. I had some fun, which is the point of it all. And a BONUS bonus image to start things out.

A look at the drawing table while I was working on the line art.

I shared this with those subscribing to my mailing list. You too could subscribe!

Unwinnable Odds - Process

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

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

2025 Holiday Card - May you find something special during the holidays!

Another year and another holiday card. This year's card again came late and was the second of our series of postcards. With so much going on, these seem to be pushed further and further to the last minute. Which means they need to be done very quickly, around many other things. But once again, we managed. Hopefully, they have all reached their destinations, but who knows with international mail these days? I present you with: May you find something special during the holidays!

May you find something special during the holidays! - 2025 Holiday Card

8x10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
© 2025 Christopher Burdett

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here soon! Until then...

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

Monday, January 12, 2026

The State of the Bazaar - January 2026

2026 has begun, whether we want it to or not, and I have a major update from the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. If you are part of my mailing list, you already know what I am about to share. At the end of 2025, I officially completed the main art phase of the next book, The Completed Circle. And, as of January first, I have begun writing the book. I can say, as of today, it is all going very well. There is much to do, and in time, I will be creating more art for the book, as that is always the way of these things. But a significant milestone has been reached, and the book is actively taking shape. I will have the two final chapter plates to share with you in the coming weeks. For now, here is a look at the production board as it currently stands.

The current state of production in the Grand Bazaar.

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

Monday, December 15, 2025

Resplendent Knight - 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 and is the next chapter art in the book. The hero has returned! Older, wiser(?), changed, and different, he is no longer the farmhand we once knew. He is bolder, more violent, and seems to relish in the destruction. Our hero charges into the Warren to save his companion and to bring justice to the Basilisk. He fights alone, needing no one but his wits and sword. Will he save the day?

Resplendent Knight
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper

Resplendent Knight - Drawing

Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for the Resplendent Knight to show where it began.

Resplendent Knight - Sketch

Digital

Resplendent Knight - Tonal study

Digital

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. Again, this one had a more typical progression for me. As the background was more simplistic with the explosion, smoke, and dark environment I addressed that first. I then worked on the figure, then the Grynk, and finally again to the background when I added the white. I did something a little differently with the explosion. I went in first with an ink wash along the edges, followed by white pencil and paint. The layering of the pencil and paint over the ink gives me the specific look that I wanted.