Hi there! I've been doing character commissions for a while so I think I could share some info lol Basically, it all depends on the artist themselves as to how deeply they want to get to know the character they're drawing, I think.
Personally I take all of the information I can get, when drawing an order :D
Basic questions keep around the area of visuals, such as skin, hair, eye color, any additional accessories (horns, tails, tattoos, jewelry and stuff like that), any weapons the character might be using/carrying, pouches or other inventory items. Since dnd characters have specific races and classes - that's useful info as well. You should look at the artist's previous works to get a sense of what style they draw their characters in. Most stick to one or a few. (anime, semi-realism, cartoon-like, etc.)
Then (depending on the artist) you might get asked about the characters personality, any specific pose or expression you'd like the character to have.
Most artists prefer you to have visual reference (pictures of a similar character or specific stuff you'd like added from a different picture) to make our jobs easier. Some take written descriptions but may ask for additional payment since the artist then has the task of not only drawing but creating a character from scratch, more or less.
Then there's payment. Some artists take full price up-front, some ask for half at the beginning and half when the picture's done, and there may be a few who ask you to pay after they've finished your order. Typically, you can order head-shots, half-body images or full-body ones. Backgrounds may be extra or not an option for some artists.
I think that's the basic info. Oh and being polite always helps when ordering so that the outcome of the commission is pleasing for both the artist and the person commissioning them :D
Hope that helps!
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I'm just curious about the process/your process when you take a commission to draw a character portrait.
What kind of questions do you ask your client? How much detail in description do you need/want/require?
DCI: 3319125026
Hi there! I've been doing character commissions for a while so I think I could share some info lol Basically, it all depends on the artist themselves as to how deeply they want to get to know the character they're drawing, I think.
Personally I take all of the information I can get, when drawing an order :D
Basic questions keep around the area of visuals, such as skin, hair, eye color, any additional accessories (horns, tails, tattoos, jewelry and stuff like that), any weapons the character might be using/carrying, pouches or other inventory items. Since dnd characters have specific races and classes - that's useful info as well. You should look at the artist's previous works to get a sense of what style they draw their characters in. Most stick to one or a few. (anime, semi-realism, cartoon-like, etc.)
Then (depending on the artist) you might get asked about the characters personality, any specific pose or expression you'd like the character to have.
Most artists prefer you to have visual reference (pictures of a similar character or specific stuff you'd like added from a different picture) to make our jobs easier. Some take written descriptions but may ask for additional payment since the artist then has the task of not only drawing but creating a character from scratch, more or less.
Then there's payment. Some artists take full price up-front, some ask for half at the beginning and half when the picture's done, and there may be a few who ask you to pay after they've finished your order. Typically, you can order head-shots, half-body images or full-body ones. Backgrounds may be extra or not an option for some artists.
I think that's the basic info. Oh and being polite always helps when ordering so that the outcome of the commission is pleasing for both the artist and the person commissioning them :D
Hope that helps!