How to commission art of your character
A portrait of your character makes them real, and it's one of the nicest ways to support an artist. Here's how to commission art so you get what you imagined and the artist enjoys making it.
1. Pick the artist for their style
Don't commission a painterly landscape artist and ask for cel-shaded anime. Browse portfolios and choose someone whose existing work already looks like what you want. Check whether they're open for commissions and what they charge.
2. Decide what you're asking for
- Framing: headshot, bust (head and shoulders), half body or full body.
- Background: none, simple color, or a full scene. Scenes cost more.
- Number of characters: each extra one usually adds to the price.
- Use: a token or sheet portrait, a profile picture, a print? Say so up front.
3. Write a clear brief
Most of what makes a commission go well is a good brief. Include:
- The basics: species, age, build, skin, hair, eyes, distinguishing marks.
- Clothes and gear: armor, weapon, holy symbol, the one item they always carry.
- Pose and mood: "standing guard at a doorway, tired but stubborn."
- One sentence of personality. Artists love this.
- References: a few images for specific details (a hairstyle, an armor style). Don't send other artists' finished characters to copy.
"Bust portrait of Odalys, a human paladin in her 30s: dark skin, close-cropped grey-streaked hair, a scar across her chin. Plain steel breastplate over a red travelling cloak; an iron key on a cord round her neck. Calm, watchful, a little tired. Simple warm background."
4. Prices and timing
Prices vary hugely by artist, size and detail. As a rough guide, small bust portraits from community artists often start in the tens of dollars, and detailed full-body pieces with backgrounds run into the hundreds. Ask how long it will take, and expect at least a week or two for a careful piece.
5. Revisions and sketches
Many artists send a rough sketch first so you can correct the pose or details while changes are cheap. Agree how many rounds of changes are included. Big changes after the final colors are in are a new job.
6. Pay safely and respect the artist's rights
Pay through a platform that ties payment to the job, so there's a record and a refund process if something goes wrong. Unless you agree otherwise, the artist keeps the copyright and you may use the piece personally (your games, your profile). Credit the artist when you share it.
On Talewrite
Artist's Alley on Talewrite is made for exactly this: browse hand-made portfolios (no AI-generated art), request a commission with your brief, get a quote with a delivery date, and pay securely. The finished piece arrives privately and goes straight onto your character sheet with one click. If art is more than a week late, you can ask for a refund. And you can tip the artist afterwards: Talewrite takes no fee on tips.