Showing posts with label toned paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toned paper. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2025

The State of the Grand Bazaar - February 2025

This post is more likely for me than anyone else. In the times we find ourselves, it can be hard to focus on one's art and stay motivated and confident that your actions are not futile in the face of an uncaring universe. To that end, I wanted to look at where the Grand Bazaar stands at the beginning of 2025 compared to where things were in 2020 when I began work in earnest on the second book. Luckily, I have a habit of taking lots of photographs, which allows me to document the progression of my work in such matters. Here is where book two was in September of 2020. You will note there is some stuff on there for book three to the right side of the board.

The beginning.
All the ideas and a plan.
You would be shocked by how much changes during the years it takes to make these things.

Now, let us see where the board is at currently. Please note that there is one thing not updated in this image, I have begun work on a larger new piece, and its card has not been updated with an image of the sketch, which is customary for me. Those who have signed up for my newsletter will get a look at a VERY loose thumbnail for this piece in a day or two (so sign up now and not miss it - and see the two newest pieces that I have completed for the book). You will also notice some additional items to the right of the board that are also for book three, though no work actively happening on that one until two is completed.

A definite difference and one that I needed to see.
My next piece will take some work to see completed, and I need to see that I am making progress.

There are still a number of '?' on the left side of the board that I need to address. The plan has been to reduce the size of the illustrations than I would normally make them. This will allow me to speed up and get closer to writing sooner. That said, the piece I am actively working on is larger than I had hoped to get it down to. But it needs to be large as there are MANY figures in an action-filled scene. If all goes to plan, it will be a great looking piece and an important one for the book.

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, February 3, 2025

Denizens of the Grand Bazaar

At the start of the new year, I typically reassess the state of the various aspects of my art as I plan out the year ahead of me. As I mentioned last month, with the new year, I also added all the art I created last year that is still available to my store. This gives me time to reflect on how much I have made and how much is yet to be completed. I had meant to share this some time ago, but there was always an interruption or something else more important happening on the blog. That said, it is now time! Here are all of the portraits of the denizens of the Grand Bazaar that I have created so far for book two. I still have more to create, but those will be for another day. These are super fun to make, and so many have already gone to their forever homes. I have included an image of them all, as well as a version that shows which are still available. Nothing profound to share with you today, only some monsters that I made that I love that you may be interested in living with.

The Current Selection of Portraits from the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
Each 5 x 5 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper

© 2022-2025 Christopher Burdett

The AVAILABLE Portraits from the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
Each 5 x 5 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper

© 2022-2025 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

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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

Monday, December 16, 2024

Gallionic Gallowglass - 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 character piece in the book. I present to you the Gallionic Gallowglass. The Gallowglass are a mysterious band of mercenaries that tracks our heroes in the second book. The Gallowglass are large, twisted, and formidable. Encased in metal armor that often appears as if made from stone, these warriors are quick to violence and not known for their subtly. They will stop at nothing to track down their quarry. Seen here, a group of the Gallowglass pushes through a group of water beggars. I present to you with the Gallionic Gallowglass.

Gallionic Gallowglass
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - Available on my store
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

Gallionic Gallowglass - Drawing 
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2024 Christopher Burdett
 
As much as I enjoy the large environmental pieces, it is nice to return to a smaller image for this piece. Due to time and production delays beyond my control, I have made the call to make the pieces in the book smaller than initially planned. This will greatly speed things up and result in more pieces from the book being at a better price point. A win/win. Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for the Gallionic Gallowglass to show where it began.

Gallionic Gallowglass - Sketch 
 Digital 
 © 2024 Christopher Burdett

Gallionic Gallowglass - Tonal study
 Digital 
 © 2024 Christopher Burdett

I try to share my reference as much as possible, but usually, the photos I use are not for public viewing. But this time around, the monsters are all fully dressed, and I can share with you my composition for the Gallionic Gallowglass. As always, I posed for all of the warriors and all of the beggars. I am all the monsters.

Gallionic Gallowglass - Reference
 © 2024 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.

Gallionic Gallowglass - 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

Monday, December 9, 2024

The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans - 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 a supporting piece of spot art for The Airship I recently shared. This image shows a selection of airship schematics, plans, and tools used to make those plans. Long before an airship takes to the skies, every detail is worked out on paper and parchment, and every detail is worked over many times. Well, you hope that is the case. I present to you The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans.

The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
8 x 10 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - AVAILABLE!
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans - Drawing 
8 x 10 - Pencil on paper
© 2024 Christopher Burdett
 
This is one of the many pieces I completed so far this year. It has been a blur of pencil and paint. Nice to finally be sharing them. Here is a look at the sketch of The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans to show where it began.

The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans - Sketch 
 Digital 
 © 2024 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. This piece went quickly, so there are only two images to share.

The Airship Shipwright Tools and Plans - 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

Monday, December 2, 2024

The Airship Nackion Drive - 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 a supporting piece of spot art for The Airship I recently shared. This image shows a powerful and mysterious Nackion Drive that powers most modern airships. Created by the Nackion Corporation, the Nackion Drive is one of the most closely guarded mathematical secrets on the planet. This particular model depicted in the illustration has secondary advancements like the Construct Guild additions to the left and some Shapermade Industries "improvements' to the right. I present to you The Airship Nackion Drive.

The Airship Nackion Drive
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
8 x 10 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - AVAILABLE!
© 2024 Christopher Burdett

The Airship Nackion Drive - Drawing 
8 x 10 - Pencil on paper
© 2024 Christopher Burdett
 
This is one of the many pieces I completed so far this year. It has been a blur of pencil and paint. Nice to finally be sharing them. Here is a look at the sketch of The Airship Nackion Drive to show where it began.

The Airship Nackion Drive - Sketch 
 Digital 
 © 2024 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. This piece went quickly, so there are only three images to share.

The Airship Nackion Drive - 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

Monday, November 25, 2024

The Airship - 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. Having shared with you the Dashing Vagabond and the Enraged Woofettes, it is past time to share the Vagabound's mighty airship. I present to you The Airship. The airship is not the most attractive, nor is it very maneuverable, nor is it even remotely fast. But, what it can do is stay in the air - most of the time. Depicted here, the airship has once again narrowly missed colliding with Ethra's tower - the largest and most prominent of the towers and structures of the Grand Bazaar. The Woofettes cries out that they are about to crash while the Vagabond laughs to himself about a funny joke he just remembered. The heroes must really need an airship if this is the one they choose. I present to you with The Airship.

The Airship
The Grand Bazaar of Ethra Dalia - The Completed Circle
11 x 14 - Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint on paper
Original - SOLD
© 2024 Christopher Burdett
 
The Airship - Drawing 
11 x 14 - Pencil on paper
© 2024 Christopher Burdett
 
As much as I enjoy the large environmental pieces, it is nice to return to a smaller image for this piece. Due to time and production delays beyond my control, I have made the call to make the pieces in the book smaller than initially planned. This will greatly speed things up and result in more pieces from the book being at a better price point. A win/win. Here is a look at the sketch and tonal study for The Airship to show where it began.

The Airship - Sketch 
 Digital 
 © 2024 Christopher Burdett

The Airship - Tonal study
 Digital 
 © 2024 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 Airship - 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