Character art is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: it’s art of your very own fictional character! There’s no one way for character art to look. It can be just a sketch drawing, a full color head shot, or a full body posed picture. It all depends on your budget, what you’re looking for, and what the artist is able to do for you.
Finding the right artist for your style, budget, and timeline can be a challenge, but knowing what you’re looking for can make it much simpler. If you are new to the process, consider this your guide to finding the perfect artist for you! I asked three character artists questions about what clients should keep in mind when commissioning art. Then, we will also discuss the best places to find artists, and everything you need to know to begin the process of getting art made.
Budget is a huge deal when it comes to finding an artist, so make sure that you at least have an idea of what your budget is going in. Jess also brings up a great point that art commissions are a luxury product and will be priced accordingly. That being said, there are artists out there willing to work with you on price, just ensure you’re realistic about what it might cost you.
Jess (@Sirussly on Twitter)
When commissioning a character portrait, be sure you have a solid idea of what you want it to look like and give as much detail as you can to the artist. It’s good practice to have an open discussion about what you want from them, and what they are able to give you. This is a good point to remind you to shop around to find an artist who draws in the style you’re actually looking for.
Grace (@grace.pptx on Instagram)
When looking for an artist, make sure you find someone who is willing to work with you to bring your character and their style together. Don’t go with the first person you find: make sure you take the time to find the right fit for you.
Sable (@apetheia on Twitter)
Twitter is a wonderful place to find artists. Often you can find them sharing their previous work and see what style they have. The best way to find an artist on Twitter is to search “commissions open” and “D&D character art“. This may bring up people who take all sorts of commissions, but will at least get you pointed towards some cool artists.
— TheMeggles//Resting&Recovering (@MegglesArt) October 25, 2022
Similarly to Twitter, Instagram is a great site for finding artists. You can scroll through the artists feed to see their style, and get a feel for their vibe. All it takes is using the search function to find amazing artists.
Etsy is speculator way to find all kinds of things, and that includes D&D art. It’s especially great because you can compare a bunch of artists’ work and prices all at once. It will help you find the right match.
DeviantArt is perfect to help give you a sense of styles you like. It can be a little harder to find artists taking commissions but it’s certainly not impossible. I personally use it for inspiration a lot of the time!
— Dany @ commissions! (@danyteti) January 25, 2022
D&D is great; D&D art is even better! I hope you now have a good understanding of what to keep in mind when getting character art done. And, if you’re a D&D fan who is also looking for a good book, you can find one based on your favorite D&D class. You might also be interested in The Best Dungeons and Dragons Accessories. Have fun storming the castle!
