Your First D&D Character Commission: What to Send and What to Ask

Most people who commission a portrait from me have never commissioned art before. The description can be the awkward part. You can see the character perfectly. Then you write it down and it comes out as "elf, green cloak, sort of sad."

That's plenty to start with. Below are the three things to send, and the questions worth asking before you pay anyone.

Send these three things

1. The crop. Half-body, thigh-up or full-body. Pick the smallest one that holds everything you care about. My format guide shows all three with prices.
2. The details you'd miss. Two or three things that would make the portrait feel wrong if they vanished, like a chipped horn or a necklace from a dead sister. Put them first.
3. A few references, each with a label. Four or five images is plenty. Write one line on each saying what it's for, like "the collar only" or "this expression."

If you care most about	Start with
The expression and what's in their hands	Half-body
The outfit, the belt and the coat	Thigh-up
The stance, the boots and the whole shape	Full-body

Tell me where the portrait will live, too. A VTT token and a wall print want different things, and a whole figure that looks great on a wall disappears in a small circle on a battle map.

Write a brief I can use

Start with who the character is and the mood you want. Then name the few details you'd miss if they were wrong, and tell me where I'm free to make choices.

"A paladin who looks brave" is a starting point. "A tired paladin who keeps showing up, with a dented shoulder plate and a repaired holy symbol" gives the expression and the props a job.

That's four sentences, and it tells me more than a five-page backstory would. If the character is still fuzzy, play the Character Quest first. It's a five-minute D&D quest with real dice, and your choices build a blueprint any artist can use.

Label every reference

Give each picture a job. I shouldn't have to guess whether you like the coat, the lighting or the whole character in image seven.

• Face or expression. Say what matters, like "the tired eyes, not the hairstyle."
• Clothing or gear. Mark the piece you mean, and which side of the body it's on.
• Mood. Describe the feel you like. Please don't ask me to copy another artist's painting.

If two pictures disagree, say which one wins. A hood in one and antlers in another is fine, as long as you tell me whether both belong. You can also write "this part is undecided" and I'll suggest something.

For a portrait based on a real person, send photos you have permission to share, and keep the rest of your life out of the folder. Your home address is rarely a useful detail for a paladin.

Ask any artist these before you pay

These work for any artist, including me. Get the answers in writing before you send money.

Ask	Why it matters
What's the total price?	Some quotes leave out the background or a second character.
How many revisions are included?	Ask how many rounds are included, what counts as a refinement and what costs extra.
When will I see the first version?	You want a date for the first look as well as the finished piece.
What files do I get?	A small file looks fine on a screen and blurry on a wall.
How can I use it?	A book cover or merch needs a different agreement than a character sheet.
What if I don't like it?	Know the refund rule before you pay. It's awkward to ask after.

Here are my answers, so you have something to compare against.

For how prices work across the market, see the 2026 pricing guide.

What happens after you order

1. Join the waitlistPortraits open in turns, and I text you when yours comes up.
2. Check out within 24 hoursPick your size and pay. The spot is yours.
3. Send the detailsI email you within one business day. Reply with your brief, or bring your Quest blueprint.
4. See the Initial ConceptReview it against your brief on the agreed date. Check refund eligibility before requesting edits.
5. Revise, then downloadWe change what needs changing, and your final files are ready to download.

You follow all of it on your own commission page, with the brief, each version and our messages in one place.

Give feedback that gets fixed

Keep your brief handy when the first draft arrives. Check it against the details you said mattered, and keep a fix separate from a new idea you've just had.

Then point at the spot, say what should change, and add why it matters to the character.

Questions first-timers ask

Can I commission a character if I can't draw?

Yes. A written description is enough to start, and a HeroForge screenshot or a rough sketch helps if you have one.

Should I send the whole backstory?

Send the parts that show up in the picture. The backstory can come along as extra reading, but put the portrait details at the top.

Can the artist choose some of the details?

Yes. Tell me which details are fixed and which are open, and I'll take it from there.

Can I get it by a certain date?

Tell me the date when your turn comes, before you commit. We need to confirm both the Initial Concept and finished-file dates. Printing and framing need their own time too.

What if I miss my turn?

After 24 hours the spot goes to the next person in line. You stay in line for the next opening.

Can I get a refund?

The Initial Concept guarantee applies to a good-faith mismatch with your supplied brief. Your refund email must be received within 72 hours of delivery and before any revisions are requested or begin. It covers the base commission value plus eligible unused shipping, with add-on, upgrade, rush, print and frame exclusions in the refund policy.

You bring the character. I'll ask about the rest.

Join the waitlist on the portrait page and I'll text you when your turn comes. If you're not ready yet, the Character Quest is free and takes about five minutes.