A short, practical guide to getting the portrait you actually pictured — on the first pass.
The best commission briefs are shorter than people expect. Artists don't need a novel; they need a clear centre of gravity and a few hard boundaries. Start with one sentence that captures the character's vibe, then add the details that genuinely matter to you.
Lead with function. Is this a hero portrait for a campaign wiki, a token for a virtual tabletop, or a print for your wall? Each changes the framing, the resolution, and what you should pay for. Say it up front so the artist scopes the piece correctly.
Give two or three references for tone, not for tracing — a lighting mood here, a costume silhouette there. Then name your no-go list: the two things you never want to see. Constraints free the artist far more than a wall of must-haves.
Finally, agree on the licence before work starts. Personal licence covers your own table; if you'll publish or stream the image, ask about a commercial tier. Settling that early keeps the relationship clean and the art rights-clear.