In The Sims 4, creativity is a central part of gameplay, allowing players to guide their Sims through various artistic careers and hobbies. One popular method for artistic expression is painting, and with the addition of the Digitalistic Sketchpad, players can take art to a whole new level. Unlike traditional easels, the sketchpad is portable and offers a sleek way to create beautiful digital art, including portraits. If you’re wondering how to paint a portrait on the sketchpad in The Sims 4, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to unlock your Sim’s artistic potential.
What Is the Digitalistic Sketchpad?
Introducing the High-Tech Art Tool
The Digitalistic Sketchpad is a digital painting tool introduced in The Sims 4: Get Famous and later made more versatile through updates. It functions similarly to an easel but in a more compact and modern format. It can be placed in your Sim’s inventory and used anywhere, making it ideal for creative Sims on the go.
Unlike an easel, the sketchpad uses a digital interface, allowing Sims to paint while standing or even while sitting on the edge of their beds. All the painting categories classic, impressionism, realism, and more are available, including portrait painting.
Unlocking Portrait Painting
Painting From Reference
To paint a portrait on the sketchpad, your Sim needs to use the ‘Paint from Reference’ option. This allows your Sim to choose a visual reference from their current surroundings and use it as the basis for a painting. This feature is available once your Sim reaches Painting Skill Level 3, regardless of whether they are using the easel or the sketchpad.
Here’s how to get started:
- Ensure your Sim has reached at least Painting Skill Level 3.
- Buy or place the Digitalistic Sketchpad in your Sim’s inventory.
- Click on the sketchpad and choose ‘Paint from Reference.’
- Select the type of painting size: small, medium, or large.
- A camera view will pop up, allowing you to choose the subject of the portrait.
The key to painting a true portrait is positioning your subject properly. Make sure another Sim is in the frame, ideally standing or sitting in a well-lit area. Sims can pose naturally for the camera, and once you snap the photo, your Sim will begin painting based on that image.
Tips for Better Portraits
Lighting, Framing, and Subject Placement
Creating a good portrait in The Sims 4 is all about composition. Because the ‘Paint from Reference’ option captures a screenshot-like view, your ability to control the scene affects the quality of the painting.
- Use Lighting: Add ceiling lights, floor lamps, or photography lights to brighten the subject.
- Direct Your Subject: Use poses or direct interactions to make Sims sit or stand where you want them.
- Decorate the Background: A nice background enhances the visual appeal of the portrait.
While The Sims 4 doesn’t allow for actual facial expressions control without mods, you can influence the mood of your Sims. Having the subject Sim in a ‘happy’ mood often results in a smiling portrait, giving the artwork more personality.
Using Mods for Custom Portraits
Expanding Creativity Beyond Limits
For players who want more control, several mods expand the painting system. Some mods allow your Sim to paint from imported custom images, while others enhance the detail or add new painting types. Although mods are optional and not officially supported, they provide more freedom for experienced players.
If you prefer to stick to the vanilla game, the ‘Paint from Reference’ option remains the best tool to create personalized portraits using the sketchpad.
Portraits in the Painting Career
How Painting Ties Into Career Progression
If your Sim is pursuing the Painter career, specifically the Master of the Real branch, creating high-quality paintings becomes essential. Portraits painted from reference can sell for high simoleons, especially as your Sim gains fame or increases their skill level.
Benefits of using the sketchpad in your painting career include:
- Faster painting completion compared to easels.
- Ability to create art from almost any location, including community lots.
- Paintings still count toward career goals and aspiration milestones.
Also, once your Sim gains recognition as a famous painter, their portrait pieces can become iconic in-game, even attracting fans if you have the Get Famous expansion installed.
Painting Quality and Emotional Auras
Making Art That Affects the Environment
Every painting in The Sims 4 has a quality rating: Poor, Normal, Good, Excellent, or Masterpiece. This rating affects the sale value and whether the painting gives off an emotional aura. High-quality portraits created with the sketchpad can boost room mood if displayed with the aura enabled.
To improve your Sim’s chances of painting Masterpieces:
- Level up the Painting Skill to 10.
- Paint while inspired (take a thoughtful shower or view art).
- Use the Creative trait to get mood boosts.
- Purchase the ‘Creative Visionary’ reward trait from the Satisfaction store.
These strategies not only help in creating better-looking portraits but also contribute to gameplay benefits, especially in building an art-focused household or gallery.
Selling or Displaying the Portraits
What to Do with Finished Artwork
After your Sim completes a portrait on the sketchpad, it goes into their inventory. From there, you have several choices:
- Sell to Collector: Quick simoleons based on the painting’s quality.
- Sell to Art Gallery: Higher payout but needs higher skill or fame.
- Display at Home: Drag the painting onto a wall and enable emotional aura if desired.
- Gift to Other Sims: Strengthens relationships through meaningful presents.
Portraits make great additions to home decor. They can personalize your Sim’s space and serve as a visual diary of their journey, relationships, and memories.
Painting a portrait on the sketchpad in The Sims 4 adds a modern twist to traditional in-game artistry. With the right skill level, environment, and setup, your Sim can create stunning digital portraits that are both profitable and meaningful. Whether you’re pursuing a painting career, building a gallery wall, or simply enjoying the creative process, the sketchpad offers flexibility and fun. Mastering the portrait process through the ‘Paint from Reference’ feature is one of the most rewarding artistic experiences the game has to offer, and it turns every moment into a potential masterpiece.