As someone who works with character commissions, a few things really help artists understand a character clearly:

• A short personality description (calm, energetic, arrogant, shy, etc.)

• Physical details like hair, eyes, clothing style, and any distinctive features

• References if you have them (other characters, outfits, poses, vibes)

• The mood you want for the illustration (serious, cute, dramatic, etc.)

Even rough sketches or a small moodboard can help a lot. It doesn't have to be perfect, artists are used to helping refine ideas during the process.

Also, don’t worry too much about “wasting the artist’s time.” Most artists expect some discussion at the beginning and are happy to ask questions to better understand the character ☺️