Custom Character Portrait

A character portrait is the simplest way to see someone you have imagined — or someone you love — drawn with care. Whether it is the original character you have been writing about for years, the tiefling bard who carried your last campaign, or a partner you want to surprise on an anniversary, we turn your description and references into a finished, full-color digital illustration you can keep, print and share.

Who this service is for

Most of our portrait commissions come from three kinds of people:

• Writers and worldbuilders who want a definitive image of an original character (OC) to pin above the desk, use in a pitch document or share with readers.
• Tabletop players and game masters who want art of a D&D, Pathfinder or homebrew character — for a character sheet, a campaign wiki or a keepsake when the campaign ends.
• Gift givers who want a stylized portrait of a friend, family member or couple, sometimes reimagined as a fantasy hero, a storybook character or simply themselves on a good day.

You do not need a polished reference sheet — a few sentences and some images are enough to start.

What you get

Every portrait is a single finished illustration of one character, drawn digitally from scratch. You choose the framing — bust, half body or full body — and we handle composition, pose, color, lighting and a background that suits the character. Before any detailed work begins, you approve a rough sketch, so there are no surprises in the final image.

Files are delivered as high-resolution PNG and JPG at 300 dpi, which is enough to print cleanly at common frame sizes, along with a smaller square version for avatars. If you need a specific aspect ratio — a phone wallpaper, a banner or a token for a virtual tabletop — mention it in your brief and we will compose for it from the start.

Styles and options

Our default style is clean line art with soft, painterly shading — expressive enough for fantasy and anime-influenced characters, grounded enough for realistic gift portraits. Within that, you can steer the look:

• Rendering: cel-shaded and graphic, or softer and more painted.
• Background: flat color, a simple pattern or texture, or a light scene that hints at the character’s world.
• Mood: bright and cheerful, moody and dramatic, or quiet and intimate. A few words about the character’s personality goes a long way here.
• Extras: additional characters, pets or familiars, detailed weapons and armor, or a transparent-background version for stickers.

If you are unsure which framing to choose, a bust works best for faces and expressions, while a full body is the right call when the outfit, armor or silhouette is the point. For more ideas on what to include, our guide on how to commission an illustration walks through writing a clear brief.

Usage rights: personal vs commercial

Every portrait comes with a personal-use licence. That means you can use it as an avatar or profile picture, post it on social media with credit, print copies for your own walls, use it in a non-commercial campaign wiki or give it as a gift.

A commercial licence is needed if the art will make money — for example on a book cover, in a crowdfunding campaign, on merchandise you sell, or as part of a monetized stream overlay. Commercial use is quoted separately based on how and where the image will be used. In both cases, the studio keeps the copyright and may show the piece in our portfolio unless you ask us not to. If your character is based on an existing franchise, our fan art vs original art copyright guide explains why commercial use is generally not possible.

What we need from you

To quote accurately and get the sketch right first time, please send:

• A short description of the character: personality, age, build and anything that must be visible (scars, tattoos, a signature item).
• Visual references: an existing sheet, outfit inspiration, photos for a real person, or images that capture the mood you want.
• Your chosen framing, any pose ideas and the background you have in mind.
• Where the image will be used, so we can choose the right licence and dimensions.
• Your deadline, if you have one — especially for birthdays and holidays.

For gift portraits of real people, clear, well-lit photos from more than one angle make the biggest difference to the likeness.

Timeline

Most portraits are delivered within 7–14 working days of your deposit, depending on the tier and our current queue. The sketch usually arrives within the first three to four working days. Revision rounds pause the clock until you reply.

If your character needs more than one illustration — front and back views, outfit variants or expressions — our original character design and turnaround sheets service is likely a better fit. When you are ready, send your idea through the commission request form and we will reply with a quote and an available slot.