Character Art Types Guide: Bust, Half, & Full Body
So, you're ready to get some awesome custom art of your character! That's fantastic! But as you start looking at artists, you might see terms like "bust," "half-body," "3/4 view," and wonder... what exactly do those mean for your hero? And how do you choose?
Don't worry, you're not alone! Understanding these common character art commission types is key to getting a piece you love, that fits your vision and your budget. This guide will break down the lingo, show you what each type offers, and help you pick the perfect way to showcase your character.
Table of Contents
- Why Understanding Art Types Matters for Your Commission
- Decoding Common Character Art Commission Types
- The "Bust" or "Portrait" Commission
- The "Half-Body" Commission
- The "Three-Quarter Body" (3/4 View) Commission
- The "Full-Body" Commission
- Beyond the Basics: Other Important Commission Details
- Including Companions: Character Art with Pets or Familiars
- A Note on Backgrounds
- Choosing the Right Art Type for Your Character (and Budget!)
- FAQ: Quick Answers on Character Art Types
- Ready to Visualize Your Hero?
Why Understanding Art Types Matters for Your Commission
Choosing between a bust, half-body, or full-body isn't just about how much of your character is visible. It impacts the storytelling potential of the image, the artist's time and effort, and, consequently, the price. Knowing the lingo helps you communicate clearly with an artist and ensures you both have the same vision for the final piece of custom fantasy artwork.
Think of it like choosing the right camera shot in a movie – each one tells a slightly different story and focuses the viewer's attention in unique ways!
Decoding Common Character Art Commission Types
Illustrated Commission example from Reydoll_
Let's dive into the most common terms you'll encounter when looking for online character art commissions. I'll describe what an image for each might look like.
The "Bust" or "Portrait" Commission: Face Forward
A bust, often just called a portrait, typically shows your character from the head down to the shoulders or upper chest. The main focus here is undeniably the face, making it perfect for capturing intricate facial details, hairstyles, and raw emotion.
Pros: Generally the most affordable option and often has a quicker turnaround. Busts are fantastic for profile pictures, avatars, or when the character's expression is paramount.
Cons: You won't see much of their outfit or any body language beyond what the face and slight shoulder posture can convey.
The "Half-Body" Commission: More of the Story
A half-body commission usually shows your character from the head down to around the waist or hips. This option gives you more room to showcase their personality and design.
You can reveal more of their outfit, include hand gestures, or even show them holding a small, significant item like a dagger, a potion, or a spellcasting focus. It’s a great middle-ground!
Pros: Offers a good balance between detail shown and cost. You get a better sense of the character's costume and some body language.
Cons: You still miss out on the lower body, so full outfit designs or dynamic leg poses aren't possible.
The "Three-Quarter Body" (3/4 View) Commission
The three-quarter (or 3/4) body view is a popular choice that typically displays the character from the head down to about the knees or mid-thigh. It’s excellent for showing off more elaborate costumes and allows for more dynamic posing than a half-body.
This view really lets the character's stance and much of their equipment shine. It's often a sweet spot for capturing a character's essence without going full-body.
Pros: Shows most of the character's design and allows for more engaging poses. Great for conveying action or personality through stance.
Cons: Details of footwear or the lowest parts of a costume might be cropped.
The "Full-Body" Commission: The Whole Picture
As the name suggests, a full-body commission shows your entire character from head to toe! This is the ultimate way to display every detail of their design, from their hairstyle down to their boots.
Full-body art is ideal for dynamic action poses, showcasing impressive weapons, intricate costumes, or simply capturing the character's complete silhouette and presence. If you want to see your hero in all their glory, this is it.
Pros: The most complete representation of your character. Perfect for detailed designs and conveying full-body action or story.
Cons: Typically the most expensive option and usually takes the longest to complete due to the amount of detail involved.
Beyond the Basics: Other Important Commission Details
The crop of the character is just one piece of the puzzle! Here are a few other elements that play a big role in your custom character art.
Including Companions: Character Art with Pets or Familiars
Does your character have a loyal wolf, a mischievous spirit fox familiar, or even a noble steed? Including pets or animal companions in your artwork is definitely possible!
Treat a significant companion almost like a second character in terms of complexity. The more detailed and prominent the companion, the more it will add to the overall work and cost. Be sure to provide good references for your furry, scaly, or feathery friends too!
A Note on Backgrounds
While this post focuses on character crops, backgrounds are another key element. Options range from:
- Simple/Transparent: A single color, a subtle gradient, or no background at all (transparent PNG). Great for character tokens or focusing solely on the character.
- Abstract/Textured: Artistic effects, magical auras, or simple textures that add mood without specific details.
- Detailed Scene: A fully rendered environment, like a forest, tavern, or battlefield. This adds significant work and cost.
Choosing the Right Art Type for Your Character (and Budget!)
So, how do you pick? Ask yourself these questions:
- What's my main goal? Is it an avatar for online profiles (bust is great)? A reference for your D&D group (half or 3/4 might be perfect)? Or a showstopper piece of your hero in action (full-body)?
- What are the *must-show* elements? If their legendary boots are key, you'll need at least a 3/4 or full-body. If it's all about their unique eyes, a bust could be perfect.
- What's my budget? Be realistic about what you can invest. It's often better to get a stunning, well-rendered bust or half-body than a rushed or overly simplified full-body if funds are limited.
My pro-tip: Don't underestimate the power of a beautifully executed bust or half-body! Sometimes, focusing the detail and storytelling on a smaller area can be incredibly impactful and leave a lasting impression.
FAQ: Quick Answers on Character Art Types
- Can I get a group portrait with different crop types for each character (e.g., one half-body, one bust)?
- Often, yes! This is something you'd discuss with the artist. Pricing would typically be based on the complexity and crop of each individual character. It can be a great way to create a dynamic group composition.
- If I order a bust, but my character has a really cool, large pauldron (shoulder armor) or a visible part of a unique weapon, does that cost extra?
- This depends on the artist and how much extra detail or complexity the item adds within the bust frame. It's always best to show your references and discuss these key elements upfront so the artist can quote you accurately. Most artists are happy to clarify!
Ready to Visualize Your Hero?
Understanding these custom character art types – bust, half-body, three-quarter, and full-body – along with considering poses and companions, really empowers you to make informed choices when commissioning art. Now you have the vocabulary to describe exactly what you're looking for!
I hope this guide has made the world of character art commissions a little less mysterious and a lot more exciting. Think about what story you want your character's portrait to tell. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or if you're ready to bring your own champion to life!