10 Best DnD Character Designers For Hire in 2024

Finding an artist to bring your Dungeons & Dragons character to life should be like rolling a natural 20 – a successful attack with fantastic results. Yet choosing the best illustrator for the job can be trickier than you might think. There are countless artists to pick from, and it isn’t always easy to tell which is worth all your gold pieces.

With Fiverr, you can browse artists’ portfolios, read reviews, and compare prices, some starting from as little as $5. But even with all these data points, it can still be difficult to tell which creator offers the most value.

I was curious whether I could expect great work from a cheaper artist or if this campaign would require spending more. So, I hired three DnD character designers at various price points to find out for myself. Let’s see which artist delivered the best value.

If you stick to the end, I’ll even share some tips on creating a full-fledged DnD character from scratch!

The Best DnD Character Designers in 2024

I spent the past few weeks reviewing profiles and testing the skills of freelancers on quite a few platforms. The following artists stood out for their talent, work ethic, excellent communication skills, and quick delivery. They can help you with:

• Detailed character portraits. Perfect for headshots or busts capturing the essence of your character.
• Full-body illustrations. Ideal for showcasing your character’s full attire and weaponry.
• Realistic renders. For those seeking life-like depictions with intricate details.
• Complex whole-party drawings. Great for groups, illustrating the dynamics between party members.
• Custom action scenes. Capture your character in battle or in a defining moment.
• Fantasy landscapes. Ideal if you need a backdrop that complements your character’s story.
• Magic effects. For accurate visualization of spellcasting and magical abilities.
• Creature design. For characters with pets, familiars, or unique mounts.

Hire Javier for $10	Hire M K Art for $25	Hire Lirimia for $20
Hire Sakha for $15	Hire Endry for $30	Hire Yves for $50
Hire Torororos for $5	Hire Piccyonne for $65	Hire Wahidhn for $50

I Hired 3 Dungeons and Dragons Character Designers

How do I know these freelancers deliver fantastic D&D designs? Well, I actually hired some of them myself.

The Fiverr marketplace features loads of D&D design gigs but they vary so much in price. Depending on the style and content you want, you can spend as little as $5 or over $100. I found that cheaper DnD gigs usually include a single character bust, while more expensive gigs often feature entire Dungeons & Dragons parties.

Of course, I wanted to test out a little of everything, so I chose an inexpensive ($15), midrange ($45), and more expensive ($65) creator. I asked all three to design the same character – a friendly satyr paladin. As you’ll see, I also asked the priciest freelancer to add a second character – a wood elf monk – to the party.

My Experience Working With These Fiverr Freelancers

Getting started with these freelancers couldn’t have been easier. Each one allowed me to book them instantly rather than messaging back and forth about the project first. They all had pretty simple requirements and were easy to communicate with, too. Here is what happened after I purchased each gig:

• The $15 Freelancer: Lirimia immediately asked for a detailed description of my character and whether I would prefer a semi-realistic or a cartoonish style (I chose the latter). Although I didn’t have any reference images initially, I searched for and provided one when they asked for a visual reference.
• The $45 Freelancer: I provided the same description to Whyswan, who confirmed that he’d draw my character in black and white rather than in color. I already knew what to expect, but I appreciated that he clarified this. With so many gigs to consider, it’s easy to miss some of the details.
• The $65 Freelancer: I sent descriptions of both characters in my DnD party to Piccyonee, and he had a lot of questions right away. For example, he requested reference images for the weapons and armor to ensure he could draw exactly what I envisioned.

Lirimia – $15 DnD Character Design

About two days after I placed my order, Lirimia messaged me with a couple of nearly final versions of my DnD character. They asked if I wanted to make any edits and how I’d like the background to look. I appreciated that they reached out because it gave me a chance to ask for minor changes without wasting one of my included revisions.

The character looked just like I’d described, so no edits were necessary. However, I did ask for a vignette that matched the character’s clothing. A few hours later, Lirimia delivered the final project. In addition to the source file, I received four versions of the character, all with subtly different background color schemes. Receiving the extra versions was a pleasant surprise, especially given the low price.

Lirimia completed the project about 18 hours ahead of schedule, which was an excellent bonus. It took just over two days, making this project inexpensive and efficient – I’d happily re-hire them.

Wahyu – $45 DnD Character Design

A few days after I booked Whyswan’s gig, he sent me two hand-drawn sketches of the character. The basic idea was the same, but the poses showed the character from different perspectives – I appreciated the level of detail and the flexibility he gave me by doing so.

Right on time, Whyswan delivered the final version of the pose I preferred. After seeing the sketch, I was fascinated to see how much detail he added to the complete drawing. This illustration took a lot of skill and brought my character to life. The downside? This package didn’t include color, and I’d have to pay nearly twice the price ($85) to purchase Whyswan’s cheapest full-color character design package – something to bear in mind if you want a full-color design from Whyswan.

Altogether, this project took under five days to complete, but it’s worth noting that the timeline spanned a weekend. The drawing would have been ready much faster if I’d checked my Fiverr messages. Note to self: don’t leave Fiverr freelancers waiting for a response –  they’re eager to get to work!

Piccyonee – $65 DnD Character Design

I received a preliminary sketch a day after purchasing the most expensive gig. Piccyonee had taken all of my notes and reference images to heart – and as a result, the drawing was nearly perfect. I only requested one small change to see how Piccyonee handled it: I wanted the satyr’s horns to be more prominent.

After that, Piccyonee sent three additional drawings, showing his progress as he made my edit and completed the line art. Each time, I had an opportunity to ask for changes – but there was no need.

I am delighted with the final drawing, presented in full color, as it precisely captures everything I was seeking. Not only does it showcase all the physical and costume details of the characters, but it also brings out their personalities. The interaction between them adds a wonderful sense of dynamism to the scene, which I particularly appreciate.

Even though the deadline for this project was five days, Piccyonee finished the final version in about two and a half days. That makes this character design both the most detailed and the fastest – a definite win in my book!

 When you hire a Fiverr freelancer, getting the deliverable you want is easy, even on a small budget. However, spending more is a good idea if you want DnD artwork that goes above and beyond the standard. Doing so will often get you more inclusions or faster delivery. It was worth spending four times as much on hiring Piccyonee to draw my entire DnD party.

How To Hire a Great DnD Character Designer for a Good Price

Not sure how to get your own DnD character design on Fiverr? It’s a lot simpler than you might think.

1. Head to Fiverr’s homepage. Click on the search bar and type “DnD.” Fiverr might come up with a few more suggestions, so pick the most relevant one. Hit Enter.

2. You must register a Fiverr account to continue. Signing up is very quick via email or instantly connect with Google, Apple, or Facebook.
3. Use Fiverr’s advanced filters to find the perfect designer. You can, for example, set a budget limit or exclude new and low-level sellers. There’s also an option to work only with Fiverr’s verified professionals. The illustration options tab includes styles and themes like realistic, cartoon, fantasy, and sci-fi.

4. Click any gigs to learn more. On the gig’s page, you can see the seller’s portfolio (1), review the available packages (2), contact the seller (3), and continue straight to checkout (4).

5. If you click Compare packages, you’ll get a full breakdown of everything included with each package. Keep scrolling, and you’ll eventually reach the artist’s review and client feedback section.

6. Return to the top of the page if you want to purchase. Click the Contact me button (3) to communicate your needs directly with the freelancer. DnD designs can be pretty nuanced, so I suggest you discuss things with your artist before buying to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary delays.
7. Click the Continue button (4) to purchase the gig. Check out the optional extras, which often include faster turnaround time, another revision, an extra character, and a background scene. Continue to checkout and complete your purchase by following Fiverr’s instructions.

How To Create a DnD Character From Scratch

Bringing your DnD character to life with a high-quality illustration can help you better understand who they are and how they fit into the fantasy world. When it comes to creating a character, your imagination is the limit. But what if you’ve just started and need a hero to jump into the game ASAP?

The more you know about them, the easier it is for a designer to bring them to life with an illustration. If you’re short on time and need a memorable character with fun features, and a good backstory, consider one of the following creators.

• D&D Beyond Character Builder. This official tool is a must-visit for beginners and veterans alike. It guides you through every step with an intuitive interface, ensuring your character is rule-compliant and ready for adventure.
• HeroForge. Best known for its custom miniatures, HeroForge also offers a digital character creator. Its strength lies in visual customization, allowing you to create a highly detailed avatar that captures your character’s unique physical traits and equipment.
• Roll20 Charactermancer. Integrated into the Roll20 virtual tabletop, the Charactermancer is ideal for players who plan to play online. It not only helps create characters but also directly integrates them into your digital game, streamlining the play process.
• Pathguy’s D&D Character Generator. A bit more text-based and less graphical, this generator is great for those who want a quick, straightforward approach to character creation without too many frills.
• Fantasy Name Generators. While not a complete character builder, this site is incredibly useful for one of the most challenging parts of character creation: naming. It provides a wide range of fantasy names suitable for various races and backgrounds in D&D.

5 Tips for Creating the Perfect DnD Character

DnD is a lot more fun when you’re roleplaying as a character that you genuinely enjoy, even if they’re very different from you as a person in real life. Here are a few tips to help nail the character creation process.

• Start with a strong concept. Before diving into the mechanics, have a clear idea of who your character is. Think about their background, personality, and motivations. A well-thought-out character concept will guide your choices in class, race, and skills, ensuring a cohesive and engaging character.
• Balance strengths and flaws. A character without flaws is uninteresting. While you may want to optimize combat efficiency, consider adding personal flaws or quirks. These traits make your character more relatable and open up interesting roleplaying opportunities.
• Integrate with the world and party. Consider how your character fits into the game world and the party. Consider their relationships with other characters and how their background ties into the campaign setting.
• Evolve with the campaign. Allow your character to grow and change. Characters that evolve in response to the campaign’s events and interactions with other characters create a richer story and a more rewarding experience.
• Roleplay over rollplay. Focus on playing your character’s role, not just their abilities and combat skills. Engage in the narrative, interact with non-player characters (NPCs) and other characters, and make decisions based on your character’s personality and background. Don’t just focus on what’s most advantageous mechanically.

Roleplaying comes much more naturally if you can visualize your character. And that’s why you might want to commission a high-quality design of your DnD character before you start playing.

I Found the Best DnD Character Designers

Creating a DnD character can be tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the game’s many rules and parameters. That said, it’s mostly a creative process, which is why being able to draw nuanced information by visualizing your character early on can be beneficial to you, the gamemaster, and the party as a whole.

The best way to do that is to hire a talented artist to illustrate your hero during (or shortly after) the creation process. Whether on a tight budget or looking for premium quality, you can bring your DnD characters to life on Fiverr from as low as $5.

FAQ

Can I hire a cheap DnD character designer on Fiverr?

You can definitely hire inexpensive DnD artists on Fiverr. Some DnD gigs start as low as $5, so you can commission a portrait of your character for just a few dollars. If you can afford to spend a little more, you’ll also find many gigs for $10 or $15.

Do more expensive Fiverr sellers produce better quality work?

In some cases, buying a more expensive gig does mean you get higher quality work. But that isn’t always the case. The cheapest D&D character designer I hired did a fantastic job.

When do you pay for a Fiverr gig?

Fiverr charges you as soon as you confirm your gig purchase. The platform doesn’t pay sellers right away, though. After the freelancer delivers your project, Fiverr holds the funds for up to 14 days, which provides recourse in case the gig doesn’t go as expected.

Is Fiverr easy to use?

Fiverr is easy to navigate, even if you’re new to online marketplaces. You can start by typing what you want into the search bar or browsing popular gigs or unusual categories in the dropdown menus.

Which is better – Fiverr or Upwork?

Although they’re two of the most popular freelancer marketplaces, Fiverr is better than Upwork. Fiverr’s visual interface makes it much easier to check out work samples and find creators you like. In addition, Fiverr is great for one-time gigs. Hire an artist on Fiverr if you want to commission a one-time DnD design.