7 Critical Mistakes That Ruin D&D Character Commissions (& How to Describe Your Character Like a Pro)

The Hidden Cost of Poor Character Descriptions

Here's what most people don't realize: every miscommunication costs you money. When an artist has to redo major elements because your description wasn't clear, those revision fees add up fast. I've seen commissions balloon from $100 to $300 because of preventable miscommunications.

But the real cost isn't financial—it's emotional. There's nothing quite like the disappointment of receiving artwork that completely misses the mark on a character you love. The good news? Every single one of these problems is completely avoidable once you know what to look out for.

Mistake #1: Assuming Artists Can Read Your Mind

The Problem: Sending a two-sentence description like "She's a half-elf rogue with black hair and leather armor" and expecting the artist to somehow capture your character's essence.

Why It Backfires: Artists aren't mind readers. What you picture as "sleek leather armor" might be completely different from what they envision. Without specific details, you're essentially commissioning generic fantasy character #847.

The Fix: Be specific about everything that matters to you. Instead of "black hair," try "shoulder-length black hair with subtle waves, usually pulled back in a practical ponytail with a few strands framing her face." The difference in the final artwork is night and day.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Describe Your Character's Personality

The Problem: Focusing only on physical appearance while completely ignoring personality traits, mannerisms, and emotional expression.

Why It Matters: An artist needs to know if your character is stoic and serious or mischievous and playful. A confident fighter carries themselves completely differently than an anxious spellcaster. These personality details directly influence pose, expression, and overall composition.

The Fix: Include 3-5 core personality traits in your brief. Describe how these show up physically. Does your confident bard stand with shoulders back and a slight smirk? Does your nervous wizard fidget with spell components?

Mistake #3: Providing Terrible Reference Images (Or None at All)

The Problem: Either skipping references entirely or sending low-quality, irrelevant images that confuse rather than clarify your vision.

Why It Backfires: A pixelated screenshot from a 2003 video game tells an artist absolutely nothing useful. Worse, conflicting references (like sending both anime-style and photorealistic images) create confusion about what style you actually want.

The Fix: Create a curated collection of high-quality references. Include separate images for different elements: face shape and features, hair texture and style, clothing pieces, color palettes, and overall mood or atmosphere. Quality over quantity every single time.

Mistake #4: Being Vague About What's Most Important

The Problem: Treating every detail as equally important, leaving the artist to guess which elements are absolutely crucial to get right.

The Solution: Explicitly rank your priorities. What are the 2-3 elements that absolutely must be perfect for you to love this commission? Is it getting the facial expression exactly right? The intricate details on their signature weapon? The specific way their cloak drapes?

When you clearly communicate your priorities, artists can focus their attention on the details that matter most to you, rather than spending time perfecting elements you barely care about.

Mistake #5: Overcomplicating Your Character Description

The Problem: Writing a 2,000-word character biography when the artist just needs the visual essentials.

The Balance: Artists need enough detail to make good decisions, but not so much that crucial information gets buried in unnecessary backstory. Your character's childhood trauma might be fascinating, but it probably doesn't affect how their armor should look.

The Sweet Spot: Organize information hierarchically. Start with the most visually important details, then move to supporting information. Use clear headings to help artists quickly find what they need.

Mistake #6: Ignoring the Artist's Style and Strengths

The Problem: Choosing an artist based solely on price or availability, then trying to force them to work outside their natural style.

Why This Hurts Everyone: You won't get their best work, and they'll struggle to deliver something that satisfies you. A realistic portrait artist probably isn't the best choice for your anime-inspired character, no matter how much you like their other work.

The Solution: Choose artists whose existing portfolio already shows work similar to what you want. Then trust their artistic instincts within that style rather than trying to micromanage every detail.

Mistake #7: Not Discussing Expectations and Process Upfront

The Problem: Diving straight into commission details without establishing clear communication protocols and revision policies.

Critical Questions to Ask: How many revisions are included? At what stages will you see work-in-progress updates? What happens if you need major changes? How do you prefer to receive feedback?

These conversations feel awkward, but they prevent way bigger problems down the road. Most professional artists appreciate clients who ask thoughtful questions about the process.

The Secret Weapon: Visual Reference Boards

Here's something most people don't know: the single most effective tool for successful character commissions isn't a detailed written description—it's a well-organized visual reference board.

Create separate collections for:

• Facial features and expression: Multiple angles showing the look you want
• Hair texture and styling: How it falls, moves, and catches light
• Clothing and armor details: Specific pieces, not just general "leather armor"
• Color palette: Exact hues and how they work together
• Pose and body language: How your character carries themselves
• Mood and atmosphere: The overall feeling you want the artwork to convey

What Artists Actually Want From You

After working with hundreds of D&D players on their character art, I can tell you exactly what makes artists excited to work on your commission:

Organized information: Clear headings, bullet points, and logical structure make their job so much easier.

Specific but not restrictive: Give them enough detail to make good choices, but room for their creative interpretation.

Enthusiasm without demands: Share what you love about your character, but trust their artistic process.

Realistic expectations: Understand that great art takes time, and good communication is a two-way street.