An Artist's Calendar: How Long D&D Commissions Take

You’ve finally decided to do it. You’re going to invest in a custom portrait of the character you’ve poured your heart and soul into for months, or even years. It’s an exciting moment! You find an artist whose style you love, you’re ready to reach out, and then a practical question hits you: So… how long is this actually going to take?

It’s one of the most common questions I get, and honestly, one of the hardest to find a straight answer for online. The uncertainty can be nerve-wracking, especially for first-time commissioners. You worry about radio silence, missed deadlines for a birthday gift, or a process that drags on forever.

As an artist who has navigated hundreds of these creative journeys, I want to pull back the curtain for you. In this post, I’ll break down the typical timeline for a D&D character art commission, explain the factors that can change it, and give you some tips to make the whole process as smooth and efficient as possible.

What's Inside This Guide:

• Why Commission Timelines Vary So Much
• A Typical D&D Commission Timeline (Week-by-Week)
• The 3 Key Factors That Can Change Your Timeline
• How to Ensure a Smooth and Speedy Commission
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Commission Timelines Vary So Much

First things first: commissioning art isn’t like ordering a product off Amazon. It's a collaborative, creative service. A piece of your character's soul is being translated into a visual medium, and that takes time and care.

The total time can range from two weeks to two months (or more!), and it all boils down to a few key variables: the complexity of the art, the artist’s current workload, and the speed of communication between you and the artist.

A Realistic Commission Timeline: Blank Page to Masterpiece

While every project is unique, most professional, high-quality character commissions follow a predictable pattern. Here’s a general week-by-week breakdown of what you can expect.

Week 1: The Foundation & First Look

This initial phase is all about setting the stage. After you make your initial request, you’ll work with the artist to lock in the details. This is where you provide your character description, reference images, and any key ideas you have.

Once the artist has everything they need, they get to work on the first version. Some artists start with a rough sketch, while others (like me) prefer to present a more polished first draft. Generally, you should expect to see this first proof within 7 to 14 days.

Weeks 2-3: The Collaboration & Refinement

Here’s where the magic really happens! You’ve seen the first draft, and now it’s time for your feedback. This is the most variable part of the timeline. You might love the first version and only have minor tweaks, or you might need a few rounds of revisions to get it just right.

A good artist will welcome this collaborative process. The speed of this stage depends heavily on how quickly you provide clear feedback and how many adjustments are needed. It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Week 4: The Finish Line & Final Delivery

Once you’ve given your final approval on the portrait, the artist will spend a few days on the final rendering. This involves polishing the details, cleaning up the linework, perfecting the colors, and preparing the high-resolution files for you.

After that, the finished masterpiece is delivered to your inbox, ready to be shown off at your next game session! All in all, a 3-4 week turnaround is a very common and realistic timeline for a high-quality, single-character portrait.

The FondlyFramed Approach: Your Hero in Two Weeks

At FondlyFramed, I’ve structured my entire process to eliminate the frustrating waiting games and uncertainty of the typical commission experience. My goal is to get you from vision to a stunning reality without the months of waiting or the anxiety of the unknown.

Here’s how my timeline is different:

• No Vague Sketches, Just a Polished Vision. I skip the back-and-forth of rough, messy sketches. Instead, I deliver a polished, high-quality first draft of your character’s portrait directly to you.
  
• Your First Concept in 2 Weeks. You won't have to wait long to see your hero. I guarantee that you will receive this first polished concept within two weeks of starting.
• A Risk-Free Decision. This first draft is your decision point. If you see it and don't feel confident that we can perfect it together, you can use the Heroic Money-Back Guarantee for a full refund. This makes jumping in completely stress-free.
• Unlimited Revisions Until It's Perfect. Once you approve the first draft, we move into the collaborative refinement phase. I offer unlimited revisions to ensure every detail is exactly as you imagined, transforming the portrait into a masterpiece you'll cherish forever.

This unique process is designed to be a transparent and collaborative partnership, ensuring a stress-free journey and a perfect portrait without the endless waiting.

The 3 Big Factors That Influence Your Art Timeline

Wondering why your commission might be on the shorter or longer end of that 3-4 week estimate? It usually comes down to one of these three things.

1. The Complexity of Your Vision

This is the biggest one. A simple, half-body portrait of your hero against a transparent background will naturally take less time than a full-party illustration with detailed armor, magical effects, and a complex environmental background like a dragon's lair.

Adding extras like pets, familiars, or intricate weapons also adds to the artist’s time investment.

2. The Artist's Waitlist & Workload

Many experienced artists have a queue of projects. This doesn't mean they're slow; it means they're in demand! If an artist has a waitlist, they should be upfront about it before you pay. Your project's start date might be a few weeks out, but once they begin, the timeline above should generally apply.

3. The Speed of Communication (That’s You!)

Artists are only half of the equation! Your role in the process is crucial. Providing prompt, clear, and consolidated feedback can make a world of difference. If an artist has to wait three or four days for a reply at each stage, those delays can easily add a week or more to the total timeline.

Your Secret Weapon: How to Speed Up Your Commission

Want to make sure your art gets to you as efficiently as possible? You have more power than you think!

• Provide a Killer Character Brief: The single best thing you can do is give your artist a detailed, organized, and clear description from the very beginning. The less guesswork they have to do, the faster they can bring your vision to life.
• Consolidate Your Feedback: Instead of sending ten separate emails with one thought each, take some time to gather all your notes into a single, clear message for each revision round.
• Be Available: Try to check your email once a day when you’re in the revision phase. A quick response keeps the momentum going and shows the artist you’re engaged and excited!

Commission Timeline FAQs

Can I get a commission done in a week for a gift?

It's possible, but it depends entirely on the artist's schedule. Rush orders often come with an extra fee because the artist has to rearrange their entire workload to accommodate you. Always ask upfront, but be prepared that it may not be feasible.

What if the artist stops responding?

The fear of being "ghosted" after you've paid is real, and I'm sorry to say it happens in the wild west of the internet. This is why it's so important to choose an artist who is professional, has great reviews that mention communication, and is upfront about their process and response times.

Bringing It All Together

Navigating the world of art commissions can feel like a mystery, but it doesn't have to. A typical timeline of 3-4 weeks is a great starting expectation, and now you know the key factors that can influence it.

Here at FondlyFramed, I’ve built my entire process around clarity, trust, and collaboration. I know how awful it feels to be left in the dark, which is why I guarantee a polished first concept within two weeks and prompt communication throughout. It’s about making sure your journey to getting the perfect portrait is as epic as the character you’re creating.

To help you nail that crucial first step of communication, I’ve created a free tool designed to help you organize your vision perfectly.

Your First Step to a Flawless Commission

Crafting a detailed character brief is the bridge between your incredible imagination and a tangible piece of art you can treasure forever. To help you build that bridge, I've created "The Ultimate Character Blueprint."

It’s a comprehensive, fillable template designed to help you organize and articulate every last detail of your character for any artist. It makes the process simple and ensures your vision is communicated perfectly.

Ready to get started? Download your FREE fillable "Ultimate Character Blueprint" template below and take the first step towards commissioning the character art of your dreams!