Your First Character Portrait: Why Players Wait 7 Years 
(And Why You Shouldn't)

The truth about getting perfect character art without the horror stories.

Written by Jan 👋

The night everything changed, Marianne dropped her new character art in Roll20.

 

What happened next broke nearly three years of invisibility.

"Wait, THAT'S your cleric?!"

 

"Oh shit, the purple makes sense now, you kept mentioning penance but I thought it was just flavor text"

 

"Is that... is something watching her in the background?"

 

"Okay NOW I get why you freak out every time someone gets hurt"

 

For three years, Marianne's tiefling cleric had been the table's dedicated healer. 

 

The one who kept everyone alive. The one they called when things got bad.

But they never knew why she healed with such desperate intensity.


They never knew about the Voice that once possessed her. 

 

About the purple she wore as eternal penance, the color of sacrifice, marking every spell she cast as an act of redemption.
 

To them, she was just "the cleric."
 

Generic. Forgettable. Invisible.
 

Until that portrait dropped.
 

"The DM immediately started weaving her guilt into every healing description," 

 

Marianne told me. 

 

"NPCs began noticing her purple cloak, asking about it. For the first time in three years, Eraellyn wasn't just mechanically present, she was narratively alive."

Last month, I surveyed 127 of my past clients about their character art journey. 

 

I asked them to be honest about their struggles.

The results paint a disturbing picture of how long players suffer in silence:

90% have tried AI generators (mainly ChatGPT) but got mediocre results

52% use placeholder art that "doesn't fit at all" (usually from Pinterest or rough sketches)

1 in 3 say their character feels "invisible" to other players

62% have pages of backstory that "no one really gets"

Here's a statistic that should disturb anyone who's ever poured their soul into a character:

The average player waits 7 years before getting custom art

Seven. Years.

That's nearly a decade of your hero living rent-free in your mind while everyone else sees a generic token.

One player summed it up perfectly: 

 

"I have a 3-page backstory. I know every scar, every mannerism, every detail. But when combat starts, I feel like the dude who rages"

And what's worse?

 

We've all tried to fix this.

The 3 Character Killers

Killer #1: The Pinterest Placeholder

You know the drill. 

 

You need character art, so you spend hours scrolling Pinterest, DeviantArt, Google Images. 

 

You find something that's... close enough.

Maybe the armor's wrong. Maybe they're the wrong class. Maybe the whole vibe is off.


But you use it anyway because what choice do you have?
 

Except now, every session, you're reminded:

That's not really them

Their eyes are wrong

The face looks off

This character is a stranger wearing your hero's name

"Every time I opened Roll20, I saw this random elf and thought, 'That's not Lyra.' After 60 sessions, I couldn't even remember what MY Lyra actually looked like anymore. The placeholder replaced my vision."  — Kaitlyn G.

 

That's the real killer: The placeholder doesn't just fail to show your character.


It erases them.

Killer #2: ChatGPT

Fine, you think. I'll use ChatGPT. How hard can it be?

 

You spend 45 minutes in an endless loop:

 

'Fix the hands.'

 

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

 

'Now fix the original thing again.'

 

Twenty iterations later, you realize you're going backwards. 

 

Your character looks less accurate than when you started.

So you save it. "Close enough," you tell yourself. 

 

Close enough for the character who's been your Friday night for two years. 

 

Close enough for the hero you think about during work meetings. 

 

"Close enough" to represent hundreds of hours of your life.

"It looked like my character's soulless twin, Kinda close, but also wrong. sorta like uncanny valley for D&D. When Jan sent the final art, after years of imagining them, FINALLY someone else saw what I saw." — Bryson H.

Okay, fine. You'll commission real art.


You post on Reddit or X. Your inbox fills with 40+ messages in less than an hour.


Except : 

Half are using stolen portfolios (I tested this)

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

Some take your deposit and vanish

Some deliver art that looks nothing like your vision

"I paid $240 and waited four months," 

shared Tom S. from the survey. 

"Before payment: 'Your character is amazing! I can't wait to start!' After payment: Ghost. Four months of chasing him for updates that never came."

The worst part?


It's not even their fault.


Most artists are hobbyists juggling commissions with day jobs. Maybe they're inspired today. Maybe they're burnt out tomorrow. Maybe your commission becomes the project they dread opening.


You're just another notification they ignore while they work on pieces they actually care about.


That's the difference between a side hustle and a commitment.
 

I do this full-time. This isn't a passion project I squeeze in when I feel like it.


Your character gets scheduled, worked on, and delivered. Period.


No mood swings. No ghosting. Just professional delivery backed by actual guarantees.

Some Heroes Can't Wait 7 Years

Here's something most players don't realize:
 

Character portraits aren't just for active campaigns.

 

Your character doesn't stop mattering when the campaign ends. Or when they retire. Or even when they fall.

They're monuments to stories worth remembering, whether they're:

Still adventuring (finally visible to your party)

Retired or resting (honored for their service)

Fallen or finished (their story preserved)

That character who got you through COVID lockdowns?


The one from the campaign that ended three years ago but you still think about?


The hero you rolled up, played for 50 sessions, and never got around to commissioning?


They earned more than just memories.
 

They earned their monument.

👋 Hi, I'm Jan. And I've Been Where You Are.

I'm an artist, yes. But more importantly, I'm a player like you.


I know what it's like to have a character living in your head that no one else truly sees.


I know the frustration of describing them for the hundredth time while your party nods politely and forgets by next session.


I know what it feels like when your character does something incredible and you wish someone could see their face in that moment.


For years, I watched friends struggle with invisible characters. Amazing heroes trapped behind wrong tokens. Epic stories nobody could see.


The breaking point came when my DM tried commissioning our whole party.


Three artists ghosted him. One delivered garbage. $400 and six months wasted.

That's when it hit me:


The system is broken.


It's not the artists' fault.
Not the players' fault.
Not the DM's fault.


The problem is the system itself:

No clear process

No trust

No accountability

No understanding between artist and player

So I built something different.


Not just a commission service.


A system that actually works.

A Clear, Straightforward Brief (Because Your Character Deserves More Than Guesswork)

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


They expect YOU to be the art director.


No guidance. No structure. Just "describe your character" and hope you don't forget:

That crucial scar

That specific way they hold their weapon

The detail that makes them THEM

You know your character perfectly. You've spent hundreds of hours with them.


But translating years of mental images into words? That's where everything falls apart.

That's why I created The Ultimate Character Blueprint.


This isn't a generic commission form. It's a guided conversation refined through 500+ commissions that asks the questions that actually matter:

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.


(Grab it free on the next page. Use it to organize your thoughts, even if you commission elsewhere.)

Because here's the truth:

 

You're not commissioning art.

 

You're finally giving your creative work the recognition it deserves.

 

You've spent:

100+ hours developing their personality

Weeks writing their backstory

Months roleplaying their growth

Years guiding their journey

That's not a game. That's creative dedication.
 

That's labor. That's art. That's storytelling.
 

And it deserves to be honored with something permanent.
 

You gift your DM every week. Your party members get birthday presents.
 

When do YOU get something for the hundreds of hours of storytelling YOU contributed?
 

This isn't vanity. This is validation.
 

You've earned this.

Look, I'll be honest: most artists won't offer a money-back guarantee.

 

And I get why. Commissions are risky. You invest hours before seeing a dime of profit.

 

But here's the thing:

 

I've realized most people never commission art not because they don't want it, but because they're terrified of getting burned.

 

So the risk itself is what's killing the sale.

 

If I take on that risk instead, two things happen:

 

First, you finally get the portrait you've been wanting for years. And if I do my job right (which I do, unlimited revisions make sure of that), you're thrilled.

 

Second, you realize commissioning art isn't scary. So you do it again. Maybe from me, maybe from another artist you discover. Either way, you've joined the community of people who support artists directly.

 

That helps everyone.

 

And honestly? I rarely process refunds. When you get unlimited revisions and can request changes at every stage, we catch any issues before the final delivery.

 

The guarantee isn't a gimmick. It's the only way to get people past the fear that's been stopping them for 7 years.

Here's how it works:

Don't love it? Get refunded. 


Love the direction but want tweaks? Unlimited revisions until it's perfect.


No hidden charges. No attitude. No "that's not what we agreed to."


Just direct access to an artist who understands:

The difference between a component pouch and an arcane focus

Why your tiefling's horns curve backward (infernal heritage) not forward

Why getting this right means everything

Because this isn't just art.


This is your character's legacy.


Long after the campaign ends—long after the Discord server goes quiet—this portrait will remain.
 

Proof that your story mattered.
 

Proof that your hero existed.
 

A monument to adventures that changed you.
 

Your grandkids might not understand D&D. But they'll see that portrait on your wall and ask: "Who's that?"
 

And you'll get to tell them how Kira the half-elf took down a lich. How Thorne saved the entire party with one perfect spell. How your barbarian held the line when no one else could.
 

That's a story worth telling.

Direct Access to Me

No middlemen. No confusion.


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

Someone who knows the difference between a component pouch and an arcane focus.
 

Who understands why your tiefling's horns curve backward (infernal heritage) not forward.


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

Living Motion: The Future of Character Art

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

Living Motion Portraits, exclusive to FondlyFramed.
 

After your portrait is complete, you can add the Living Motion upgrade:

Subtle breathing animation

Flowing cloaks and hair

Glowing magical effects

This upgrade 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.


The DM will literally pause the game to ask how you did that.

Real Players, Real Victories

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

What Your Character Is Actually Worth

$100+ for character art.


I know that's more than a t-shirt. More than a mug. More than dice.


But let's talk about what you've already invested:

Hardcover books: $50 each (you own 5+) = $250

Dice addiction: $200+ easy

Minis you used once: $25 each = $100+

That subscription you barely use: $15/month

Total hobby spending: $600+

Image Credit : u/dalzien 

Now answer honestly:


Which purchase will you remember in 10 years?
 

The dice collecting dust in your drawer?
 

Or the portrait of the character who lived in your heart for two years?

"I spent $300 on terrain I sometimes use. But I see my character's portrait every single game. Every. Single. Time. Best $140 I ever spent on this hobby." — James R.

 

And this isn't just art. It's:

Your vision finally visualized

Your character truly seen every session

Permanent campaign legacy

Never explaining appearance again

Proof that your hundreds of hours mattered

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

Your Character Can't Wait Another 7 Years

Another week where they're just "the cleric"

Another game where you explain their appearance again

Another session closer to the campaign ending

Another memory that will fade

But today, that changes.

 

I only take 18 characters monthly. There are limited spots left as you read this.
 

Your hero—living, retired, or fallen—can't stay invisible any longer.
 

Whether they're:

Still adventuring → Finally visible to your party

Recently retired → Honored for their service

Fallen in battle → Their sacrifice immortalized

From a campaign that ended years ago → Kept alive in memory

They've earned their monument.


And you've earned the right to see them as they truly are—not as they've been forced to appear.


Let's bring them to life.

FondlyFramed

4.9

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324 Reviews

D&D Character Art

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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!

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. — Still not sure? Grab the free Character Blueprint below. Use it to organize your thoughts. Even if you never commission, you'll have your character perfectly documented, which is worth something all on its own.
 

[Get Free Blueprint →]

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