References are something crucial for me as an artist. I work best when I have a clear idea of what it is my client wants. I can work from descriptions, sure enough, but language is relative. When someone commissions me to draw an image of a woman with ‘great hips and a nice rack’, I have to ask them to define what ‘great hips’ and ‘a nice rack’ means to them, since odds are their conception of those attributes will greatly differ from my own.

Too much detail in a written description will also overwhelm. Whenever I get a written description, the way I process that information is to break it down into parts; highlight key things, underline what’s important.

If I’m given a page-long description with intricate detail, not only does the checklist grow long, it grows ridiculous. I know, because I’m a writer as well, and I’m well aware of how writers like to paint pictures with words.

Repeat after me: Language. Is. Relative.

The way I function best is through description and images.

My best clients provide me with a compressed zip file of references, coupled with a description of what they want— it allows me to fulfill their vision better.

Giving an artist a set of clear guidelines and enough room for artistic freedom is key.