Behind the Scenes: How Custom Art Commissions Come to Life

digital artist hands illustrating in a digital tablet

There’s something magical about having a piece of art that’s made just for you—whether it’s a custom portrait, a fan art fusion, a brand mascot, or a scene from your imagination brought to life. Unlike mass-produced prints, custom art commissions carry a personal touch, filled with intentional details and a collaborative spirit between the artist and the client.

But how exactly does an idea turn into a finished digital masterpiece? What happens behind the scenes? In this post, we’ll walk you through the full creative process of a custom art commission—from that very first spark of an idea all the way to final delivery.

1. The Conversation: It All Starts with You

Every great piece begins with a story—your story.

The process usually kicks off with a discussion, either through messages or a brief meeting. Here, the client shares their vision: it could be a detailed request (“I want my D&D character in a fiery battle pose with a glowing sword”) or something more general (“I want something moody and romantic for our anniversary”). This stage is all about understanding your preferences—art style, mood, color palette, references, and purpose (print, social media, gift, etc.).

As an artist, I love asking questions that help draw out the vision even more:

What emotion do you want the piece to evoke?

Is there a story behind the character or concept?

Do you have reference images or inspiration?

The clearer the foundation, the stronger the final piece.

2. The Concept Sketch: Ideas in Motion

Once the brief is set, it’s time to start sketching.

This is a rough and exploratory phase. I create loose pencil-style digital sketches to block out ideas, experiment with poses, angles, composition, and sometimes multiple layout options. Think of it like building the blueprint for a house. It’s not polished, but you’ll already feel the energy of the piece coming together.

Clients are invited to provide feedback—this is your chance to guide the direction before we go into refining. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to say—simple reactions like “this feels too serious” or “can we make it more playful?” are super helpful.

3. The Refinement: Details Start to Breathe

Once we’ve locked in the sketch, it’s time for refinement. This means cleaning up the lines, solidifying the anatomy, adjusting facial expressions, defining key features, and preparing the artwork for color.

This is often one of the most collaborative phases. Artists and clients work closely together to make sure every little thing feels right. For character-based pieces, this could mean adjusting hairstyles, tweaking clothing elements, or experimenting with accessories. For brand illustrations, it could mean aligning more closely with a visual identity or color theme.

By the end of this phase, the image is sharp, defined, and ready for color.

4. Color, Texture, and Lighting: Where the Magic Happens

Now comes the stage where the piece truly transforms.

Base colors are laid down first, then I begin building depth—adding shadows, light sources, skin tones, fabric textures, reflective highlights, and environmental effects. This part of the process is both technical and emotional. It’s not just about what looks good—it’s about what feels right.

Do we want this piece to glow with warmth? Should the atmosphere be cold and mysterious? This is where mood plays a huge role. Using techniques like color grading, blending modes, and brushwork, the piece takes on its final emotional weight.

This is also where most of the "wow" moments happen—for both the artist and the client.

5. Final Polish and Delivery: Making It Shine

Once the main painting is complete, I go in for the final polish. These are the subtle but essential finishing touches: flyaway hairs, rim lighting, reflections, glow effects, micro-textures, and adjustments in contrast and vibrancy. I also double-check proportions, make minor corrections, and sometimes add signature elements.

Once it’s done, I prepare the files in high-resolution formats (usually PNG, JPG, or PSD depending on client needs) and deliver them through email or cloud sharing. I’ll often include a web-optimized version for easy online posting too.

And just like that, the journey is complete—a custom piece of art, from imagination to reality.

✨ Why Custom Art Commissions Matter

Custom art is more than just pixels and paint—it’s about translating emotion, memory, and meaning into a visual form. It’s a collaboration between client and artist, built on trust and creativity. No two commissions are ever the same, and that’s what makes the process so fulfilling.

You’re not just buying art. You’re investing in something uniquely yours.

Thinking of Starting a Commission?

If you’ve ever thought about getting a custom piece made for yourself, a loved one, or your brand, this might be your sign. Whether you’re starting with a full vision or just a spark of an idea, the process is designed to bring your imagination to life—one sketch, one stroke, one story at a time.

📩 Ready to get started? Reach out, and let’s make something amazing together.