A clear commission brief helps an artist bring your adventurer to life without guesswork. In this guide, you’ll learn what to include in a D&D character brief, from visual details and personality notes to references that make the final artwork more accurate.

Start with the Character Basics

Begin with the key details your artist needs first. Include your character’s name, race, class, age, body type, height, and general appearance. These basics help the artist build a clear starting point before adding deeper personality.

You should also describe your D&D character’s role in the campaign. Are they a noble paladin, a suspicious rogue, a tired cleric, or a bard who treats every room like a stage? This gives the artist a better sense of how the character should feel, not just how they should look.

Keep this section simple but specific. You do not need to write pages of lore. A few clear notes can guide the artwork much better than a long, confusing backstory.

Describe Clothing, Gear, and Key Details

Next, explain what your character wears and carries. Mention armour, robes, cloaks, boots, jewellery, weapons, spellbooks, holy symbols, bags, scars, tattoos, or any signature item.

These details matter because they help separate your D&D character from a generic fantasy design. A chipped sword, glowing staff, patched cloak, or family pendant can tell a lot about their story.

Try to prioritise the most important details. If everything is essential, the design can become crowded. Focus on the pieces that truly define the character.

Explain Personality and Mood

A good commission should capture more than appearance. It should show attitude, emotion, and energy. Tell the artist whether your character is confident, nervous, charming, haunted, reckless, serious, or secretly soft-hearted.

Mood also affects the pose and expression. A battle-hardened fighter may stand firm and guarded. A playful bard might smile like they already know how the story ends. A mysterious warlock may need darker lighting and a more intense look.

This is one of the most useful parts of the brief. It helps the artist draw your D&D character as a person, not just a costume.

Add References and Practical Notes

Reference images can make your brief much easier to understand. You can include examples of hairstyles, outfits, colour palettes, armour shapes, poses, or general vibes. Use them for inspiration, not direct copying.

You should also include practical details. Mention whether you want a portrait, half-body, full-body, background, simple pose, action pose, or party scene. If you have a deadline, budget, or preferred file format, include that too.

Clear expectations help avoid confusion. They also make it easier for the artist to quote the project and deliver work that matches your vision.

Ready to Bring Your Character to Life?

A strong D&D character commission brief should include basic details, visual features, clothing, gear, personality, mood, references, and practical notes. The clearer your brief is, the easier it is for an artist to create artwork that feels true to your adventurer.

Once your character has a finished look, explore Shop DND’s latest collection for apparel inspired by classes, campaigns, and unforgettable tabletop stories.