How One Image Can Transform Your Entire D&D Experience

What happened when one player finally solved the problem every table experiences but never discusses.

Published on Aug 7th, 2025

Since session zero, Kaitlyn had been using a ChatGPT screenshot for her character: Mallora.

You know the type—technically shows a drow with leather armor, technically has the right weapons, but somehow... wrong.

It worked.

Sort of.

The way "purple skin, white hair" works when you're trying to describe someone who's survived the Underdark.

For months, Kaitlyn's drow had been invisible.

Not literally—her party knew she existed. But Mallora, with her piercing violet eyes that had seen too much, her form-fitting black leather that told stories of narrow escapes, the purple cloak that billowed with otherworldly energy?

That character lived only in her mind.

Her placeholder? It showed a generic dark elf with a cape. It communicated nothing of who Mallora actually was.

Then one night, Kaitlyn dropped something new into Roll20 and watched her entire party lose their minds.

"Wait... she's HALF-drow?!"

"Those scimitars... she's not another Drizzt clone!"

"She looks so... tired. Like she's actually lived through all those battles."

"THIS is why you keep saying she's not evil!"

The Truth Every Table Knows But Never Says

For the first time in eight months of weekly sessions,

Mallora actually existed.

And here's the thing that hit Kaitlyn's table—

this wasn't unique.

It was something every player feels but we rarely talk about between arguing about rules and scheduling conflicts.

Your character: the one you spent session zero and countless hours before that crafting, whose bonds and flaws you know by heart—

is essentially invisible to everyone else at your table.

When initiative gets rolled and you're just 18 AC and 2d6+4 damage.

Last month, I surveyed 127 of my past clients about this exact feeling.

The results confirmed what happens at every table:

90% said their character feels "invisible" to other players.

The average player waits 7 years before doing anything about it.

1 in 4 say this invisibility does impact their enjoyment of the game.

You wrote a 3-page backstory. You know why your goliath always touches that scar before combat.

You can explain the theological implications of your cleric's crisis of faith.

But when the DM says "roll for initiative"?

You're just the dude who rages.

You've Tried Everything

First came the descriptions.

More details during introductions.

That voice you practiced in the shower.

Then Pinterest consumed your prep time.

Hours scrolling for something

"close enough."

But you saved it anyway because what else could you do?

Eventually, you turned to ChatGPT, spending an hour crafting the perfect prompt.

And at first?

Holy shit, it actually worked.

The armor was right. The pose was perfect. It had everything you asked for.

Then you looked closer.

The eyes—slightly dead, staring through you instead of at you. The skin—too glossy, like plastic wrap stretched over a mannequin. The hands—sweet Bahamut, the hands.

"Fix the hands."

"Now fix what you broke when you fixed the hands."

"No, the OTHER hand."

"Now the first hand is wrong again."

Forty-five minutes. Twenty iterations.

Each one somehow making it worse.

What you ended up with was your character's soulless evil twin. Technically accurate. Fundamentally wrong.

The uncanny valley, but for D&D.

So naturally, you think what every player eventually thinks...

"Fine, I'll Just Commission Someone"

And that's when you discover the real boss fight.

You post on Reddit or Discord.

"[Hiring] For full body portrait of DND Character"

Within an hour, your inbox explodes with 40+ messages.

Finally, finally, you'll see your hero properly!

Except the modern internet has turned what should be a simple transaction into what I call "Commission Chaos"—and it's worse than any dungeon crawl.

80% are using stolen portfolios.

Others quote $50, then suddenly it's $300.

Some take your deposit and vanish.

The modern internet has turned what should be simple—paying an artist for art—into a minefield.

But here's why this matters more than just having cool art...

This Is Actually About Something Deeper

It's about what happens when the campaign ends.

Maybe you defeated the BBEG after two years of weekly sessions.

Maybe scheduling conflicts finally killed it

(the real final boss of every campaign).

Maybe your character made that heroic last stand, failing their death saves so the party could escape.

And then... nothing.

Your character vanishes.

No evidence they existed.

No proof of those Friday nights that mattered.

Just memories that fade faster than you'd think.

This isn't really about art.

It's about the same thing that makes us name our dice, keep character sheets from campaigns that ended five years ago, and tell stories about "that one time when..."

It's about legacy. About proving that the stories we told, the bonds we forged around that table—both in-game and out—actually meant something.

Which brings me to...

The Service I Wish Existed

👋 Hi, I'm Jan. I'm an artist, but more importantly,

I'm a player like you.

For years, I watched friends struggle with invisible characters. Amazing heroes trapped behind wrong tokens.

Epic stories nobody could see.

And the problem isn't finding artists.

The internet is full of them. The problem is the entire structure is built on mutual distrust.

Artists fear clients who won't pay or demand endless revisions.

Players fear artists who disappear or don't understand the assignment.

Both sides expect to be screwed over.

No wonder most commissions end in disappointment.

So I created something different.

I built FondlyFramed differently. Not as another commission service, but as the complete solution to every problem I'd experienced as both player and artist.

Here's what most artists don't tell you:

They expect YOU to be the art director.

With no guidance. no structure.

Just "describe your character" and hope you don't forget that crucial scar, that specific way they hold their weapon, or the detail that makes them THEM.

You know your character perfectly. But translating years of mental images into words? That's where things fall apart.

That's why I created a Free "Ultimate Character Blueprint".

What are the 3 MOST CRUCIAL elements to capture?

Where should the artist use creative freedom?

How do you envision the overall mood/atmosphere?

Every question is there for a reason. Every section ensures nothing gets lost between your vision and the final art.

One player said it best:

"It's like talking to a DM who actually read your backstory."

You will have instant access to this Blueprint on the next page.

It's my gift to help you articulate your character perfectly, whether you work with me or any other artist.

Look, this isn't common for artists.

Most won't offer a money-back guarantee because commissions are risky.

But I'm willing to take on that risk because I believe in the D&D community, and because I want you to feel safe taking the leap.

You get a polished first draft in 2 weeks.

Don't love it? Full refund. No questions.

Plus unlimited revisions until it's perfect.

No hidden charges.

and...

No. Ghosting. Ever.

This is my full-time job. Not a side hustle I squeeze in when inspired. Your portrait gets scheduled, worked on, and delivered. Period.

You work directly with an artist who gets both art AND D&D.

I've been where you are. I understand the weight of getting this right.

But here's what truly sets this apart...

Living Motion

I spent 3 months developing something that doesn't exist anywhere else.

Living Motion Portraits, exclusive to FondlyFramed.

Every commission this month also includes a Living Motion Upgrade of your finalized portrait:

Subtle breathing animation

Flowing cloaks and hair

Glowing magical effects

This upgrade also integrates seamlessly with most VTTs (Roll20, Foundry) using the .gif format.

Your static PNG days are over. This drops into Roll20 like any image, except your character is suddenly alive.

But the real magic isn't the Living Motion animation...

It's what happens after.

What Actually Happens at Your Table

Your roleplay changes because everyone can finally see who you're embodying.

The DM starts incorporating visual details they never noticed. "The bartender's eyes linger on that strange symbol on your armor..."

Your party stops seeing "the cleric"

This isn't just about having cool art on your character sheet.

It's about the moment your three-year-old character finally becomes real to everyone else—and the ripple effect that creates through every aspect of your game.

It's the difference between playing a character and being them.

But don't take my word for it.

The Proof

I could tell you all day about bringing characters to life. But here's what players who've finally met their heroes face-to-face have to say:

10/10 recommend Jan!

I spent weeks looking on Reddit, getting frustrated by the lack of price disclosure and feeling nervous about getting ghosted. Then I found Jan through a Facebook ad. She brought every detail to life based on written descriptions, scattered references, and a mediocre Hero Forge image. I'm so glad I took the plunge!

-Kaitlyn G.

Verified Customer

She really gets your character

Jan understands visual storytelling takes intentional reflection. She's not a 'draw a pair of boots' artist, but a 'where have those boots been, how many miles have they seen?' kind of artist. You can't teach that kind of care and curiosity. It turned out spectacular - can't wait for my next character!

-Jayce S.

Verified Customer

Jan brought my character to life!

Honestly I was scared at first, because I'm really picky with art. But Jan managed to gather everything I described into the picture - I nearly heard my character speaking out of it. Her eyes seemed to be alive. It was worth every bit of anxiety and doubt I had going in.

-Luzy L.

Verified Customer

Even better than Hero Forge

The Weaver has been my character for a year and a half, and I could never get them right with Hero Forge or my own drawings. Jan brought this enigmatic courtier to life perfectly. I'll definitely commission again when the campaign wraps to show how the character has changed and evolved.

-Gale S.

Verified Customer

Let's Talk Price

$100+ for character art. I know what you're thinking. And I get it, it's not cheap.

But consider what you already spend:

Hardcover books: $50 each (you own 5+)

Dice addiction: $200+ easy

Minis you used once: $25 each

That 3D printer gathering dust: $300

You've spent more on dice jail than you would on immortalizing your hero.

Image Credit : u/dalzien

This isn't just art.

It's your character finally seen.

Never explaining appearance again.

Peace of mind from a guaranteed process.

A permanent monument to your creativity.

Every session without your character being truly seen is another night of being "the ranger."

Another story that won't land quite right.

Another week closer to the average 7-year wait before players finally do something about it.

Your character has survived deadly encounters, made impossible choices, forged bonds that transcend the table.

They've earned their place in your personal pantheon of heroes.

The question isn't whether they deserve to be seen.

It's whether you're ready to make it happen while the campaign still lives, while your party can still be amazed, while those stories are still being written.

But today, that changes.

I only take 18 characters monthly.

There are 9 spots left as I write this.

FondlyFramed

4.9

324 Reviews

D&D Character Portrait

Simple Guided Process

Heroic Money Back Guarantee

Unlimited Revisions

Proven Trust & Experience

Living Motion Animation

Check Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my order include?

1) A custom hand-painted portrait of your character

2) My Heroic Money Back Guarantee

3) Unlimited revisions until it's perfect

4) 2-week turnaround on your first concept

5) Limited Bonus: Get a Free Living Motion upgrade on your finalized portrait. (Regular Price: $50, Limit 1 per customer)

Not sure where to start or how to describe your character?

No problem at all! I'll guide you through the commission process step-by-step. Many of my clients are first-time commissioners, so you're in good company.

If you'd like to be extra prepared, you're welcome to grab a free Character Blueprint and fill that out with as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable with.

Otherwise, you can simply make a purchase, and I'll personally walk you through everything from there. My goal is to make this easy and enjoyable for you!

When do you release new commission spots?

My commission slots open in weekly batches as work completes. If currently unavailable, check back in a few days.

How does the Money‑Back Guarantee work?

After I deliver your polished concept (in around 2 weeks), you will have 3 days to decide if the art feels right. If not, just email me, I'll refund you in full.

Once I start revisions, the guarantee ends. Simple, risk‑free, and there so you can commission with confidence.(See the full Refund Policy for the fine print.)

I truly believe every D&D player deserves to see their hero come to life. This guarantee is just my way of making sure you feel safe jumping in.

Why should I get a character portrait?

Because right now, you're the only one who truly sees your character.

After 200+ hours of play, your party still forgets their name. The DM overlooks your backstory. That epic moment from last month? Already forgotten.

And I know that your ChatGPT placeholder isn't cutting it either.

A portrait changes the entire table dynamic. Suddenly, you're not "the wizard", you're Kalendra the Stormcaller. Your plot hooks get woven in. Your victories stick in everyone's memory. You go from background player to the character everyone's invested in.

Plus, campaigns end. Groups drift apart. But that hero who's lived in your head for years? They deserve to exist beyond your imagination.

A portrait isn't just art, it's proof that all those Thursday nights mattered.

And with Living Motion, they don't just exist, they breathe.

Bottom line: Your character has earned the right to be seen, remembered, and immortalized.

The only question is whether it happens before your campaign ends.

P.S. - I seriously appreciate you taking the time to read this. As my way of saying thanks (also as a secret easter-egg), below are hand-drawn token borders I've created, completely free.

Use them with any art you have. Consider it a preview of how attention to detail can elevate your hero.

→ [Get Token Borders] ←