Where to Commission D&D Character Art: 12 Platforms Compared (Holiday Deadlines Approaching)
It's that time of year again. You know, when everyone suddenly realizes they need character art for holiday gifts, New Year campaigns, or just because surviving another year of TPKs deserves celebration.
Problem is, most decent artists are already booking into January. The really good ones? They stopped taking holiday commissions last week.
But don't panic. I've spent the past month mapping out exactly where you can still commission D&D art, who has slots open, and which platforms won't leave you crying into your dice bag come December 25th.
⏰ Current Commission Reality Check
As of late September, here's what's actually happening:
- Premium artists: Booked through February
- Mid-tier artists: Taking December delivery only
- New artists: Still open but inexperienced with rush timelines
- Marketplace sellers: Extending delivery times by 2-3 weeks
Translation: If you want art by the holidays, you need to commission within the next 2-3 weeks. Period.
The Platforms: Where to Actually Find D&D Artists Right Now
1. FondlyFramed OPEN
Current delivery: 14 days
Holiday slots: ~10 remaining
Best for: People who want guarantees
Direct commission site run by someone who actually plays D&D. The big selling point? They're one of the few still guaranteeing holiday delivery if you book by November 15th.
Why it works now: Fixed timeline, no surprise fees, unlimited revisions included. They limit monthly slots specifically to maintain that 14-day delivery even during busy seasons.
The catch: Only one artist, so limited style variety. But honestly, when everyone else is quoting 8-week deliveries, style flexibility becomes less important than actually getting your art.
Website: fondlyframed.com
2. Reddit (r/characterdrawing, r/HungryArtists) OPEN
Current delivery: 2-8 weeks
Holiday availability: Varies by artist
Best for: Budget flexibility
Still the wild west of commissioning, but that's actually helpful right now. While established artists everywhere are booked, Reddit has new talent posting [For Hire] threads daily.
Current situation: r/HungryArtists has about 20-30 new artist posts daily. Maybe 5 are actually good. Check post history, never pay friends & family, and expect at least one ghosting before finding someone reliable.
Pro tip for holiday timing: Filter by NEW, not HOT. The upvoted artists are already swamped. That artist who posted 3 hours ago with decent samples? They might be your December miracle.
3. Twitter/X Artist Alley LIMITED
Current delivery: 4-10 weeks
Holiday availability: Most closed
Best for: Specific style hunting
Search #commissionsopen or #DnDart. Fair warning: the good artists here are booked until spring. But occasionally someone opens emergency slots or has a cancellation.
Reality check: That artist with 50K followers and the style you love? They're not taking new work until March. But their mutual who does similar work might have spots.
4. ArtStation Marketplace LIMITED
Current delivery: 4-8 weeks
Holiday availability: Premium only
Best for: Portfolio-quality art
Professional artists charging professional prices. Most are quoting January delivery now unless you pay rush fees (usually +50%).
Worth it if you need publication-quality art. Overkill if you just want your dwarf barbarian for the home game.
5. Etsy OPEN
Current delivery: 3-6 weeks
Holiday availability: Many sellers open
Best for: Marketplace protection
Etsy sellers are extending processing times but most are still taking orders. Watch out for "ships from" locations – international sellers won't make December deadlines.
Current hack: Message sellers before ordering. Many will expedite for holiday gifts without the official rush charge.
6. DeviantArt Commissions OPEN
Current delivery: 2-6 weeks
Holiday availability: Wide open
Best for: Unique styles
The forgotten platform that's actually clutch during busy season. Tons of artists, less competition for slots. Quality varies wildly but gems exist.
Search "commission open" and sort by newest. Check their gallery thoroughly – lot of artists here better at anime than armor.
7. Instagram Artists MOSTLY CLOSED
Current delivery: 6-12 weeks
Holiday availability: Rare
Best for: Don't bother right now
Instagram artists with any following are slammed. Unless you've been on their waitlist since August, skip it.
8. Discord Art Servers OPEN
Current delivery: 2-4 weeks
Holiday availability: New artists available
Best for: Community vetting
D&D Discord servers often have commission channels. Artists here understand the game and community members vouch for reliability.
Warning: These are usually hobbyists. Great for simple pieces, risky for complex party compositions.
Platform Comparison: Who's Actually Delivering for the Holidays
| Platform | Book By | For Dec 25 | Rush Available? | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FondlyFramed | Nov 15 | Guaranteed | No (fast already) | No increase |
| Reddit Artists | Nov 1 | Ask individually | Usually yes | +25-50% |
| Twitter/X | Oct 15 | Unlikely | If available | +50-100% |
| ArtStation | Already passed | Rush only | Yes | +50-75% |
| Etsy | Nov 1 | Some sellers | Yes | +$25-50 |
| DeviantArt | Nov 10 | Possible | Negotiable | +30-40% |
Where to Commission Based on Your Timeline
Need it by Thanksgiving (Nov 28)?
You have exactly three options:
- FondlyFramed (if they have slots)
- Reddit artists willing to rush
- Discord hobbyists for simple pieces
Need it by Christmas?
More options but book immediately:
- FondlyFramed until Nov 15
- Etsy sellers in your country
- DeviantArt artists with open commissions
- Reddit artists (verify timeline first)
Need it for New Year campaign?
Most platforms still viable but don't wait past November to book.
The Holiday Commission Survival Guide
What's Actually Happening Right Now:
Artists are burnt out from convention season, preparing for holiday markets, and already juggling October commissions. The ones still taking work are either:
- New and hungry (risky but available)
- Established with good boundaries (limited slots)
- Overcommitting (danger zone)
Red Flags to Avoid This Season:
- "Unlimited slots available!" = Will definitely miss deadline
- No response within 48 hours = Already overwhelmed
- Promises everyone December delivery = Lying or inexperienced
- Suddenly increases prices mid-conversation = Desperate and disorganized
Green Flags to Look For:
- Clear statement about holiday deadlines
- Limited slots remaining (shows planning)
- Upfront about rush fees
- Provides specific delivery date, not range
Platform Safety During Holiday Rush
Scammers love desperate holiday shoppers. Here's how each platform protects you:
- Most Protected: Etsy, ArtStation (buyer protection)
- Moderate Protection: FondlyFramed (money-back guarantee)
- Some Protection: PayPal Goods & Services
- Zero Protection: Twitter, Discord, Instagram DMs
My Recommendation for Holiday 2024 Commissions
Look, I'll be straight with you. If you're reading this in late September or October, you've already missed the window for the "perfect" artist at the "perfect" price.
What you need now is reliability.
My honest ranking for where to commission right now:
- FondlyFramed if you want guarantees and they have slots
- Etsy for marketplace protection and variety
- Reddit if you're willing to vet artists carefully
- DeviantArt for hidden gems and unique styles
- Everything else is probably already too late
The Bottom Line on Holiday Commissions
Every year it's the same story. September hits, everyone thinks they have time. October arrives, "still plenty of time." November 1st: "Wait, artists are booked until when?"
This year's different though. Convention season was brutal, artists are exhausted, and everyone wants art for returning-to-office campaigns and holiday gifts.
If you want character art for the holidays, commission this week. Not next month. Not after you "think about it." This week.
Because come December, you'll be choosing between AI-generated nonsense or paying triple for emergency rush fees.
Your character deserves better than a last-minute panic commission. They've earned proper art, delivered on time, at a fair price.
Make it happen now, while you still can.
Ready to commission? FondlyFramed still has holiday slots available →