A Second Look at Older Work - The Dreamblade Trojan Horse

This coming June will mark twenty years for me in the gaming industry, and this is also my twenty-fifth 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.

To start things off, here is the miniature design that I did for the now long dead miniatures game, Dreamblade. Dreamblade will always be near and dear to me as it was the first game I ever worked on and one of the times I felt most free as an artist working in the gaming industry. This is the "Trojan Horse" design for the never-produced seventh set of the game. I wonder to this day if they had started any of the sculpts for these and if somewhere there had been or still is a prototype of it out there.

Unreleased Trojan Horse - © 2006 Wizards of the Coast

Trojan Horse turnaround - © 2006 Wizards of the Coast

This design was likely way too detailed for the miniature it was to become, but I didn't care. I had a ton of fun designing and drawing this one. Sure, it would have been fun to hold a little plastic version of this, but that was never meant to be. Maybe this time around, it will get a little more appreciation from folks. 

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

2024 Holiday Card - May your holidays be filled with surprises!

Another year and another holiday card. This year's card came late and became the first in our series to be a postcard. Frankly, the cost of printing our cards has increased greatly, and it came time to switch to a postcard rather than a card and envelope. The 2024 card idea came from dear wife, and it was a fun (and quick) one to do. I present you with: May your holidays be filled with surprises!

May your holidays be filled with surprises! - 2024 Holiday Card

8x10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
© 2024 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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a pair of recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I present my art on the back of two Magic the Gathering cards.

Biblically correct, Serra Angel asked to be not afraid.

This is the Festering Mummy that I created while at IX, and it is now AVAILABLE!

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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a pair of recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. These were from a little bit ago, but things have been - busy. I present my art on the back of two Magic the Gathering cards. 

This one was a bit different but fun - everyone loves a good Buylist Gremlin!

Pufferfish on a Blufferfish!

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

MagiKids x UltraPro Charity Auction

Leading up to Gen Con, I created an image for the good folks at UltraPro for their MagiKids Charity Auction. In the past, the auction would take place at Gen Con, but this year, it is happening afterward online. While the online auction is not live, I wanted to share the piece I did for it and links to the auction landing page. From any of these links, you will be able to sign up for a prize pack giveaway as well as info regarding the auction when it is available. To start things off, here is the image I created for the auction, a mighty Beholder.

Beholder

6.5 x 10.2 - Pencil, marker, ink, and acrylic paint on board
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

I had so much fun with this piece, and it has left me wanting to make more like it. It was freeing to be able to have some fun and experiment. While I have loads of fun working on my book series, there are parameters I am working within for the story, so I am not always in a position to just draw Beholders all day long - no matter how badly I would like to. We will see what comes of my time working on this and what it might lead to. While I have included the direct link to the auction landing page, here is a photo of the QR code for it as well.

This QR code will take you to the landing page for the event.

You can sign up for a chance to receive a prize pack and to get info for when the auction begins.

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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a pair of recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. One was created prior to Gen Con and the other afterward. I present my color art on the back of two Magic the Gathering cards.

Goblin token for all of your goblin token needs!

A yin-yang arrangement of the Ancient Carp

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a recent Magic the Gathering artist proof that I added art to its back. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. This was for a collector that I had previously created a Pokemon card for. While that first card was fun to create, this one was a blast to make. I present my color art on the back of one of my Magic the Gathering card.

A Breaching Seadra and Horsea out for some fun in the sun.

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Razorvine Blight Miniature

Glad to finally have some new miniatures to share. This time around, we have the Razorvine Blight mini based on my, you guessed it, Razorvine Blight illustration that I created for the D&D supplement, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse. I got to design and illustrate this new monster, so it is doubly fun to see that it is now a mini. Here is my final illustration for the Razorvine Blight.

Razorvine Blight

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Emi Tamji

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The miniature holds true to my design and pose and turned out beautifully. I began my career in gaming nineteen years ago when I started designing miniatures for the WotC game Dreamblade, and I have been hooked on minis ever since. So I am nothing but happy when I see one of my designs in plastic. It is truly a gift and a joy every time. Here are some photos of the completed mini.

Razorvine Blight miniature front/back

Razorvine Blight miniature

That is 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

Signature Upgrades Now Available!

I feel like I should have addressed this long before now, but better late than never. I am now offering signature upgrades when you purchase any of Magic the Gathering artist proofs. As is, they will come with a black signature on the front of the card. But now you can upgrade to metallic gold, one of a selection of colors, metallic gold with shadow, and color with shadow. The signature upgrade is a separate item you will have to add on its own and is not part of each artist proof on my store. All I ask is that you make sure to add the number of signatures you need for the cards you are purchasing and let me know which signature goes on which card.

Now offering metallic gold, colored, metallic gold shadow, and colored shadowed!

And yes, my signature is a bit random and looks slightly different each time.

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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have a recent Magic the Gathering artist proof that I added art to its back. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. This was a fun one for a collector and I am extremely happy with how it turned out. I present a selection of art on the back of Magic the Gathering cards.

Mando and son out on a family adventure.

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I present a selection of art on the back of Magic the Gathering cards.

On the back of this Shifting Shadows card, I was asked to recreate the card art with my version of a Dratini and Dragonite Pokemon. If you know me, then you know I was excited about this one.

On this Ancient Carp card, I was asked to have the little lost humunculus Fblthp having a run in with the carp... NOMS!

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I present a selection of art on the back of Magic the Gathering cards.

It was a little fishy, first with an Ancient Carp...

...and then with a Stinging Lionfish.

The fish have been really popular lately, and I have been really enjoying it!

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Recent Magic the Gathering Artist Proof Art

Today, I have recent Magic the Gathering artist proofs that I added art to their backs. All available artist proofs and art options can be found on my store. I present a selection of art on the back of Magic the Gathering cards.

The Lathnu Sailback doesn't recieve the love I think it ought to, so it is nice to get a request for this one.

The Stinging Lionfish is becoming popular as I have had to create many of these lately.

My fish cards do seem to be evergreen favorties.

That's all for another exciting Friday 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

Boss Augustus - Dungeons & Dragons - Process

Today, I am happy to share the process and steps for one of my contributions to the Dungeons & Dragons supplement, The Book of Many Things. I have always loved the concept of the Deck of Many Things. An item or items in game that allow the players to access great rewards and great calamity. In my early days of gaming I created a magical item for my players, the legendary Stick of Nearly Limitless Possibilities. I thought it would be really fun as there were some very crazy effects if the was unlucky with rolls. It was met with mixed feelings and sadly the stick (which I actually made) and the many pages of posibilites are lost to time. That was an unexpcted deteor... back to The Book of Many Things and my contributions. We will start with the more ordinary of my two pieces in the book. Here is the final painting for Boss Augustus.

Boss Augustus

The Book of Many Things

11 x 14 - Digital

Art Director - Bree Heiss

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

I was asked to design and illustrate Boss Augustus. Even though this is an illustration of a human male, I still approached it as if he was a monster - for better or for worse. Boss Augustus was described as:

Intent: This monster illustration shows BOSS AUGUSTUS, a HUMAN WEREWOLF who co-leads a lycanthropic THIEVES’ GUILD called the Moonstalkers. Secretly, he wishes to cure his lycanthropy and leave the Moonstalkers forever.

Action: We see Boss Augustus in his humanoid form: he looks like a MALE HUMAN in his 50s with beige skin and close-cropped black hair. There are subtle hints of his lycanthropy: for instance, he has a thick, somewhat unkempt BEARD. He is TALL and BEEFY. He wears a stoic, somewhat TROUBLED expression. He is dressed like a D&DROGUE crossed with a CRIME BOSS.

Mood: A powerful and respected leader

Definitly some angles to approach this one and to make it interesting. Here are the thumbnails that I submitted. 

Boss Augustus - Thumbnails

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

 

It is always interesting which thumbnail is selected. Sometimes I know which will be selected when I submit them - it just has to be THAT one that gets picked. Other times I am surprised by which is selected. For this piece I was hoping for option 'A' to get the nod, but this time aeound it was 'B." Not nessarily the one I would have chosen, but as I submitted it, I have to be prepared to take it to the end. 'B' was selected without any notes. Here is the Boss Augustus drawing.

 

Boss Augustus

The Book of Many Things

11 x 14 -Colored pencil on paper

Original - SOLD

Art Director - Bree Heiss

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The drawing was approved without comment, and it was time to start on the final painting. Here is the painting of Boss Augustus taking shape.

Boss Augustus - Process

© 2023 Wizards of the Coast LLC

This is one of those painitng where you just need to sit with it and hold its hand until it is done. My natural tendancies with making art do not often lend themselves to depictions of humans, but I always do my best to make the human be the way the client needs it to be. One of my biggest issue with humans is that I never feel like I know when to stop - when is this painting going to be done?!?! With my monster work I just know when they are done - I get a feeling in my gut and I know that I need to do one last small detail pass and it will be done. With humans, humans that need to be normal and functional within society, it can be a lot more nebulous for me. Usually, my typical final small detail pass would make that human look like something not human, and that is not desired here. So I just need to sit with a painting like this and make sure that the face and hands are on point and then have some fun woth the atire and gear. But uinderstand that I gave this piece everyhign I would give any piece I was assigned. It being a human just makes it a little harder for me - which is good sometimes. To be challenged is to enbrace growth! Here, again, is the final painting of Boss Augustus.

Boss Augustus

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