The Complete Guide to Commissioning Fantasy Portraits as Gifts (2025)

Your boyfriend has been playing Dungeons & Dragons for three years. You've never rolled a d20 in your life.

He talks about his character the way some people talk about their actual children. You've overheard names like "Shadowblade" and "Emberheart" during game nights. You know it means something to him, even if you don't fully understand what.

Christmas is coming. You want to give him something that proves you actually get it, that you see how much this matters to him. Not another set of dice to add to his collection of 47 sets. Not a generic "I'd Rather Be Playing D&D" t-shirt.

You want to give him a custom fantasy portrait of his character.

There's just one problem: you have absolutely no idea where to start. And honestly? The whole thing feels a bit intimidating.

I get it. I've helped over 500 people commission fantasy portraits, and more than half of them were in your exact position. Partners, siblings, parents, and friends who wanted to give an incredibly meaningful gift but felt completely lost in a world of elves, warlocks, and "what even is a tiefling?"

This guide will walk you through everything. By the end, you'll know exactly how to commission a fantasy portrait that makes them say "how did you even know?" instead of giving you that polite smile they reserve for socks.

Why Fantasy Portraits Are The Ultimate D&D Gift

Let me tell you something about D&D players that might sound a bit strange if you've never played: they form genuine emotional bonds with their characters.

I'm not talking about casual enjoyment. I mean real attachment.

That character your boyfriend plays? He's spent hundreds of hours developing their personality, their backstory, their relationships, their fears and dreams. He's made choices as that character that kept him up at night. He's laughed as them, gotten angry as them, celebrated victories and mourned losses.

But here's the thing: that character lives almost entirely in his imagination.

Sure, there might be a generic token on a map during games. Maybe a quickly sketched doodle on a character sheet. But the version he sees in his mind, the version that feels real to him, has never actually existed outside his head.

Until you commission a portrait.

When you give someone a professionally done portrait of their D&D character, you're not just giving them "art." You're giving them validation. You're telling them "this thing you care about matters to me because you matter to me."

You're making their invisible friend visible.

I've watched grown adults tear up when they see their character brought to life for the first time. I've had clients tell me their partner kept the portrait on their desk for years after the campaign ended. This isn't a gift that ends up in a drawer with the dice and the novelty socks.

This is the gift they'll show everyone. The one they'll post online. The one still hanging on their wall five years from now when everything else from that Christmas is long forgotten.

Understanding Different Portrait Types

Before we dive into the process, you need to understand what you're actually ordering. Not all character portraits are created equal, and the type you choose will affect both the price and the impact.

Think of it like ordering a birthday cake. You wouldn't walk into a bakery and just say "I want cake." You need to know: sheet cake or tiered? Vanilla or chocolate? Buttercream or fondant?

Same thing here.

The Three Main Portrait Types

Bust Portrait (Shoulders-Up): This shows just the head and shoulders, like a professional headshot but way cooler. Perfect for capturing facial features, expressions, and personality. Think of it as the "profile picture" option.

• Best for: Showing off character's face, expressions, and upper details
• Price range: $100-$200
• Turnaround: Usually fastest (1-2 weeks)
• Ideal if: You want something affordable but still impactful

Half-Body Portrait (Waist-Up): This shows from the waist up, including arms and upper equipment. You get the face, the pose, the weapons they're holding, and the chest armor. This is what I recommend for most first-time gift commissions.

• Best for: Balance of detail and cost
• Price range: $140-$250
• Turnaround: 2-3 weeks typically
• Ideal if: You want to show personality AND their cool gear

Full-Body Portrait (Head to Toe): The complete package. Everything from their hairstyle down to their boots. Shows their full outfit, stance, and presence. This is the "wow" option that really showcases the character in their element.

• Best for: Maximum impact and detail
• Price range: $200-$400+
• Turnaround: 3-4 weeks
• Ideal if: Budget isn't the main concern and you want something spectacular

For a more detailed breakdown of each type with visual examples and specific use cases, check out my complete guide to character art types.

Background Options (The Often-Forgotten Decision)

Here's something most people don't think about until they're already mid-commission: what's behind the character?

Your options typically are:

• Simple color or gradient: Clean, focuses all attention on the character. Most affordable.
• Abstract or textured: Adds visual interest without being distracting.
• Detailed scene: Places them in an actual environment (tavern, forest, castle). Way more expensive, way more impact.

For gifts, I usually recommend simple or abstract backgrounds. They keep the focus on the character while still looking polished and professional. Detailed backgrounds can add $100-$300 to your cost and require way more information about the character's world.

The Gift-Giver's Commission Process (Step-by-Step)

Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room: you don't know what their character looks like. Maybe you've never even played D&D. How are you supposed to commission art of something you can't picture?

Here's the good news: you have more options than you think.

Option 1: The Information Gathering Mission

If you want this to be a surprise but the character actually exists, you'll need to do some detective work. Here's how to get the information without giving away your plan:

Partner with the Dungeon Master (DM): This is your secret weapon. The DM knows everything about everyone's characters. Send them a casual message: "Hey, I want to surprise [boyfriend] with character art for Christmas. Can you help me get some details about his character without him knowing?"

Most DMs will be thrilled to help. They get just as excited about this stuff.

Eavesdrop strategically during game night: If they play at home, casually listen in while doing something else. You're not looking for everything, just key details. Hair color. General vibe. Maybe a weapon they mention repeatedly. Take notes on your phone.

Recruit a party member: If you know any of the other players, they can be co-conspirators. They see the character every session and probably know the basics.

The "character sheet screenshot" play: If they keep their character info digitally (D&D Beyond, Roll20), you might be able to sneak a peek at their device. Take a quick screenshot when they're in the shower. Yes, this is sneaky. Yes, it's for a good cause.

Option 2: The "Just Their Face" Approach (My Personal Favorite for Gifts)

Here's an option a lot of people don't realize exists: you can commission a fantasy portrait based on just a photo of their actual face.

No character details needed. No D&D knowledge required. Just send a few photos of them and describe the general fantasy vibe you want (fierce warrior, mystical wizard, shadowy rogue), and a good artist will transform their actual face into a fantasy hero.

This approach is brilliant for several reasons:

• Zero chance of getting character details "wrong"
• The portrait is unmistakably THEM but in a fantasy setting
• You can do it completely secretly
• Works even if they have multiple characters
• It's personal in a way that's hard to describe until you see it

I've done hundreds of these photo-based fantasy portraits, and the reaction is always incredible. Because yes, it's fantasy art, but it's also undeniably them. Their eyes. Their smile. Their presence. Just transported into the epic fantasy world they spend their free time imagining.

If this approach sounds appealing, I've built a specific process for photo-based fantasy portraits that makes it stupid simple for non-players.

Option 3: The "Partial Information" Path

Maybe you know some things but not everything. You know he plays a wizard. You've heard the name "Calderon" a few times. You think there's something about fire magic?

That's actually more than enough to start.

A good artist (especially one who understands D&D) can work with fragments. We're used to filling in gaps, asking the right questions, and building out a character from limited information. The key is working with someone who has a collaborative, guided process.

If you're going this route, having a structured way to organize what you do know is incredibly helpful. I actually created a free template called the Ultimate Character Blueprint specifically for this situation. It asks all the right questions in plain English, so you can fill out what you know and leave blank what you don't.

It transforms "I have no idea what I'm doing" into "here are the 8 things I know, and here are the 15 things I need help with."

Option 4: The Post-Reveal Collaboration

Some people just say "screw the surprise" and make it a collaborative gift. You tell them what you want to do, and you work together to commission the perfect portrait.

This isn't as romantic, but it has serious advantages:

• Zero chance of getting it wrong
• They get to be involved in the creative process (which they'll probably love)
• No stress on your end
• You still get credit for the thoughtfulness

You can always do the "gift certificate" version: give them a card that says "we're commissioning your character art together" and make it a fun shared experience.

Budget Planning: What to Expect to Pay

Let's talk money. Because this is probably what you googled right before you found this article.

The short answer: a quality custom D&D character portrait from a professional artist will cost you between $100 and $400 for a single character, depending on the type and detail level.

I know that might sound like a lot compared to other gifts. But context matters here.

Breaking Down the Price Ranges

Portrait Type	Typical Price Range	What You Get	Best For
Bust (Shoulders-Up)	$100-$200	Head and shoulders, detailed face and expression, upper armor/clothing	Budget-conscious gifts, profile pictures, first-time commissioning
Half-Body (Waist-Up)	$140-$250	Face, upper body, weapons in hand, personality and pose	Most gift situations, balanced impact and investment
Full-Body (Head to Toe)	$200-$400+	Complete character, full outfit, stance, maximum detail	Major occasions, long-term characters, "wow" factor gifts

For much more detailed pricing information, including hidden costs to watch out for and what affects the final price, I wrote a comprehensive guide to D&D art commission pricing.

Why Does It Cost This Much?

I get asked this a lot, usually by people comparing commission prices to mass-produced merchandise.

Here's what you're actually paying for:

• Time: A detailed character portrait takes 15-30 hours of actual work. Concept, sketching, refining, coloring, rendering, revisions.
• Skill: This isn't something anyone can do. Professional artists have spent years, often decades, developing their craft.
• Uniqueness: This exists nowhere else in the world. It's not a print of someone else's art. It's a one-of-one piece made specifically for your person.
• Emotional value: The impact of seeing their character come to life is impossible to put a price on.

Let me put it another way: if your boyfriend plays weekly, and his campaign has been running for a year, he's spent roughly 150-200 hours with this character. A $150 portrait works out to less than $1 per hour of enjoyment. That's cheaper than a movie ticket.

Budget-Friendly Strategies (Without Sacrificing Quality)

If the price ranges above make you wince a little, here are some ways to make it work:

Start with a bust: You can always upgrade to a full-body portrait later for a birthday or anniversary. The bust still has massive impact for less investment.

Skip the detailed background: A simple colored background is clean, professional, and keeps the cost down. Detailed scenic backgrounds can add $50-$150+ to the price.

Digital delivery only: If you're planning to print it yourself locally or just gift the digital file, you save on any physical product costs and shipping.

Plan ahead: Rush fees for last-minute commissions can add 20-50% to the cost. Ordering in November for Christmas delivery is way cheaper than ordering December 15th.

Where to Commission (And Where NOT To)

This is where a lot of people get stuck, and honestly, it's where things can go very wrong very fast.

The internet is full of places to commission art. Some are great. Many are mediocre. Some are outright scams that will take your money and disappear.

I wrote an entire guide on the best platforms for commissioning D&D art, but here's the gift-giver's version:

The Platforms (Quick Comparison)

Etsy: Huge selection, wide price range, buyer protection through the platform. The downside? Quality is wildly inconsistent. You'll find amazing artists and absolute disasters right next to each other. For gifts, this is risky because you often can't tell which is which until you've already paid.

Fiverr: Even more of a mixed bag than Etsy. Prices start absurdly low ($5-$30), which should immediately make you suspicious. At that price point, you're usually getting traced art, stolen art, or AI-generated images. Not great when you're trying to give a meaningful gift.

Reddit (r/hungryartists, r/characterdrawing): You can find talented artists here, but you're taking on all the vetting work yourself. And unfortunately, scammers have gotten very sophisticated. Be extremely careful and always use PayPal Goods & Services for protection.

Instagram/Twitter/Art Portfolio Sites: This is where many professional artists showcase their work. The challenge? Most have waitlists, some don't reply to DMs, and commission info can be scattered or unclear. Great for finding your dream artist, frustrating for timeline-sensitive gifts.

Direct Professional Services: Some artists (like myself) run dedicated commission services with clear processes, fixed pricing, and guarantees. Usually more expensive than the budget options, but you're paying for reliability, communication, and peace of mind. For gifts, where you can't afford surprises, this is usually the smartest path.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Whether you're shopping on Etsy, browsing Reddit, or looking at artist portfolios, watch for these warning signs:

• Prices that seem too good to be true: If someone's offering detailed, full-color character portraits for $20, something is wrong. They're either inexperienced, rushing through work, or using methods you don't want to support.
• No clear examples of D&D/fantasy work: If their portfolio is all landscapes or portraits of real people, they might struggle with fantasy elements like armor, weapons, and non-human features.
• Vague communication or slow responses: If it takes them 5 days to reply to your first message, imagine trying to get revision feedback during the project.
• No revision policy or unclear terms: Always know upfront: how many revisions do you get? What if you don't like it? What's the refund policy?
• Pressure to pay through "friends & family" or non-protected methods: Legitimate artists accept PayPal Goods & Services or work through platforms with buyer protection. If they're pushing you toward methods where you can't dispute charges, walk away.

The commission process should feel collaborative and clear, not sketchy or confusing.

Timeline Planning for Christmas Delivery

Alright, real talk: if you're reading this in early December and thinking "I can probably still pull this off," you need to hear the truth.

Most quality custom commissions take 2-4 weeks minimum. If you add shipping time for a physical print, you're looking at 3-5 weeks total.

Here's a realistic timeline breakdown:

The Commission Timeline

If You Order By...	You'll Likely Receive By...	Delivery Method
November 1-15	December 1-10	Physical print with standard shipping (safest for Christmas)
November 16-30	December 10-20	Digital delivery safe, physical print cutting it close
December 1-10	December 20-25	Digital only, or accept New Year delivery for physical
December 11+	After Christmas	Consider "gift certificate" approach or digital reveal

These timelines assume normal commission speeds (2-3 weeks) plus shipping. Some artists offer rush services for an additional fee (usually 20-50% extra), but availability isn't guaranteed.

Digital vs. Physical Delivery

Here's something that surprises people: digital delivery can actually be a better gift option than physical, especially for timing-sensitive occasions.

Digital Delivery Advantages:

• No shipping delays or costs
• They get it immediately on Christmas morning
• High-resolution files they can use for everything (online profiles, printing, sharing)
• You can still get it professionally printed locally if you want something to unwrap
• No risk of damage during shipping

Physical Print Advantages:

• Something tangible to unwrap
• Professional printing quality (better than home printers)
• Feels more "complete" as a gift
• Options for canvas, acrylic, or framed prints

My recommendation? Order with enough time to get the digital file before Christmas, then you can print it locally if you want something physical to give. Best of both worlds.

What If You're Already Running Late?

If it's mid-December and you're just starting this process, you haven't totally missed your window. You just need to adjust your approach:

The "Gift Preview" Strategy: Order the commission now, but instead of waiting for completion, create a gift certificate or preview card. Design something nice that says "Your custom character portrait is being created!" Include a sample of the artist's work or a rough concept sketch. Present this on Christmas, then give them the final portrait when it's done in early January.

This actually builds anticipation in a cool way. They get excited about it on Christmas, and then they get to experience the reveal of the actual finished portrait a few weeks later. Two gifts for the price of one.

How to Present Your Gift

You've commissioned the perfect portrait. It's gorgeous. You're thrilled with how it turned out.

Now: how do you actually give it to them?

The presentation matters almost as much as the portrait itself. This is a special gift, and the reveal should feel special.

For Physical Prints:

Frame it first: If you're getting a physical print, have it professionally framed before giving it. It shows extra thought, and it's way more impressive to unwrap a ready-to-hang piece than a rolled-up print. Most local frame shops can do this in a few days.

Size up for impact: Don't be shy about print size. An 11x14" or 16x20" print has way more visual impact than an 8x10". This isn't something they'll hide in a drawer; it should be showcase-sized.

The reveal matters: Don't just hand them a wrapped rectangle. Build it up a little. "I have something special for you" works way better than "here's your present."

For Digital Delivery:

Digital gifts can feel less substantial if you don't present them thoughtfully. Here are ways to make it feel real:

Create a reveal moment: Don't just text them the file. Load it on a tablet or laptop, wrap the device in a box with a note: "Open this and press play." Have the portrait displayed full-screen when they open it.

Print a preview certificate: Create a nice card or certificate that says something like "Custom character portrait created just for you" with the artist's signature. Include a USB drive with the file, or a QR code that links to a private gallery page.

Plan the print together: Make the digital file part one of the gift. Then say "I wanted you to be able to choose exactly how you want it printed" and make selecting the frame and print type a post-Christmas activity you do together.

The Actual Reveal

I've seen hundreds of reveal reactions at this point, and here's what I've noticed: the best reactions come when the recipient has a moment to actually process what they're seeing.

Don't rush it. Let them unwrap it. Watch their face as they register what it is. Give them space to sit with it.

They might tear up. They might go silent for a second. They might immediately start pointing out details. All of these reactions mean you absolutely nailed it.

Have your phone ready to record if you want to capture the moment. These reactions are priceless.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Your Next Steps

Look, I've been doing this for a while now. I've worked with hundreds of gift-givers who started exactly where you are: wanting to do something special but feeling completely lost.

Here's what I've learned: the perfect gift isn't about getting every tiny detail right. It's about showing someone that you see what matters to them, even when it's not something you personally understand.

Your boyfriend (or sibling, or friend, or whoever you're shopping for) doesn't need you to suddenly become a D&D expert. They just need you to care enough to try. And trust me, commissioning a portrait of their character? That's trying in the best possible way.

If you're feeling nervous about starting this process, that's completely normal. Every single person I've worked with felt that way initially. But I built my entire service specifically to make this easy for people who "know nothing" about fantasy or D&D.

I walk you through everything, ask the right questions, and translate your answers into a portrait that captures their character perfectly. Whether you have complete information or just a photo and a vague idea of "make them look like a warrior," I can work with that.

And because I know how stressful gift-giving can be, especially when you're investing this much, I offer a simple guarantee: if you don't love the first polished preview I show you, you get your money back. No questions, no hassle. That's how confident I am that we can create something that makes your gift-giving moment perfect.

If you want to see what's possible, check out the fantasy portrait options here. You can see real examples, current turnaround times, and exactly what the process looks like.

And if you're still not quite ready to commit but want to get organized, download the free Ultimate Character Blueprint. It'll help you gather whatever information you do have in a structured way. Even if you don't end up working with me, it'll make commissioning from any artist way easier.

Your person is going to love this. I promise.

— Jan