I’ve decided that my wizard would like to try her hand at spellcrafting, but I have virtually no experience in homebrew, so I need to reach out to you guys on this one.

Intended effect: She would combine her skills as an artist and a conjurer to bring one of her drawings to life as a creature, similar to any summoning spell.

Components: The standard VSM seems appropriate. The material components would obviously include the drawing, which would be consumed. I’m hesitant about adding cost requirements, but I do want to include a time requirement - that is, any drawing used in the spell needs to have taken at least X hours of work.

Duration: I’m leaning towards 5 minutes, but I’m not attached to that. In terms of concentration, while I would love to make it a non-concentration spell, I have a feeling that might be seen as broken. Dropping concentration is another question though. Would the creature disappear? Would it switch its goal to self-preservation? Would it turn on her? Or would its behavior depend on the creature’s natural alignment?

Stats: There should be a CR limit, but I have no idea what it should be. I also think there should be a type constraint, but again, not sure about what types of creatures should be allowed. To simplify one aspect, I will stick to the generic creature stats in the PHB/MM.

Any help would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks!

We need a bit more information than what you're giving us... like what type of creatures/effects are you wanting the spell to make? Something small, like a familiar or an effect from prestidigitation? Or something more combat based like conjure animals or spirit guardians? My initial reaction for what you're wanting to do sounds like it can be achieved by reflavoring of official spells or the way your wizard casts spells is by doing drawings. Check out what the DMG has to say about making spells and talk to your DM about this because I know the rules for my group in regards to spell crafting are going to be different from what your group might choose to do instead.

I would say that you can make the drawing while taking a long rest, but have to choose what you are drawing. So if you draw a water weird, you can't say that you summon a giant elk. With this restriction, I think you should be able to summon up to CR3 with a 4th level slot, CR4 with a 5th, and so on and so forth. 

@FallenPhoenix: I want it to be more like the combat-oriented spells (though it can be useful outside of combat as well), reworked so there are fewer restrictions on creature type. Probably a size limit of large. Thanks for the link.

@JoeltheWalrus: Of course the drawing would have to be of the summoned creature - that’s the idea! I’m not sure about making it a long rest thing, because she would have to spend 6 hours of that rest actually sleeping, so that would only leave 2 hours to draw. Thanks for the CR recommendations.

Quote from IamSposta >>

Why not just use Summon Bestial Spirit (UA)?

 Because it isn't cool enough, of course. :)

Quote from JoeltheWalrus >>

Quote from IamSposta >>

Why not just use Summon Bestial Spirit (UA)?

 Because it isn't cool enough, of course. :)

 I did get the idea from the “Summon ____ Spirit” spells, but I wanted to personalize it by combining several of them into one spell with different requirements.

Alright, I've made a first second draft of the spell. Thoughts?

 Looks good. The main balancing point is being able to summon almost any creature CR 3 or below, but having to choose it before hand. I like it. 

Quote from JoeltheWalrus >>

 Looks good. The main balancing point is being able to summon almost any creature CR 3 or below, but having to choose it before hand. I like it. 

 Thanks! Do you think it can be buffed in any way (higher CR, no concentration, etc) or should I just leave it?

On initial reading it seems good to me, I wouldn't remove the concentration for most spells that summon a creature, and I think that cr 3 is a good point. It might fit better as a 3rd level spell (without any changes), but that will have to be something you determine after some play testing.

Quote from Elanchana >>

Quote from JoeltheWalrus >>

 Looks good. The main balancing point is being able to summon almost any creature CR 3 or below, but having to choose it before hand. I like it. 

 Thanks! Do you think it can be buffed in any way (higher CR, no concentration, etc) or should I just leave it?

 I'd playtest before applying any buffs or nerfs. 

New version from discussions with my DM. He thought of allowing aberrations (because they can't usually be conjured) and constructs (because I put the spell on the artificer list). He also added an escape clause for creatures over 13 INT which I think is pretty fair.