For players who love both building and storytelling in The Sims 4, the addition of a functional sketchpad can completely change the way a Sim’s creativity is expressed. Whether you’re playing with a painter Sim or a Sim pursuing a freelance artist career, the sketchpad offers a portable and flexible alternative to the classic easel. It allows players to create digital artwork in various environments, promoting realism while giving more control over a Sim’s workflow. This topic dives deep into how the sketchpad works, its in-game benefits, and why it’s a favorite tool among many Simmers.
What Is the Functional Sketchpad in The Sims 4?
The functional sketchpad is a digital drawing tablet available in The Sims 4, introduced with the Freelancer update. Unlike the traditional easel, which requires a larger footprint in your Sim’s home or studio, the sketchpad can be placed in a Sim’s inventory and used anywhere. This makes it perfect for Sims on the go, especially those working as freelance artists or painters who don’t want to be tied down to a single location.
With the sketchpad, Sims can create all the same types of art as they would with an easel, including classic paintings, impressionist pieces, pop art, and more. It also plays a vital role in completing freelance gigs that require specific types of digital illustrations or marketing designs.
How to Obtain the Sketchpad
The sketchpad can be purchased in Build/Buy mode. To find it quickly, just search for ‘Digitalistic Sketchpad’ in the item search bar. It costs §750, which is affordable for most households, especially once your Sim starts generating income from their artwork.
Key Features and Functions
The functional sketchpad in The Sims 4 isn’t just a decorative item it’s packed with features that support both casual painters and career artists. Here are some of the most notable functions:
- Portable Design: It can be stored in the inventory, making it usable anywhere, from the beach to the park.
- Freelancer Integration: Essential for completing tasks in the freelance artist career track.
- Multiple Art Styles: Sims can choose from a variety of styles and sizes, just like with a standard easel.
- Skill Building: Increases the Painting skill with use, eventually unlocking higher-quality art and increased profits.
- No Need for Easel: Ideal for minimalist homes or compact living spaces where a full-size easel is impractical.
Sketchpad vs. Easel
While both the easel and sketchpad serve similar functions, each has its strengths. The easel is better suited for traditional home studios and provides a more ‘classic’ art vibe. However, the sketchpad shines in terms of convenience. If your Sim enjoys traveling, lives in a small apartment, or works as a freelancer, the sketchpad is often the superior choice. It’s fast, clean, and modern perfect for storytelling with contemporary Sims.
Perfect for the Freelance Artist Career
One of the biggest reasons players use the functional sketchpad is for freelance work. The freelance artist career was introduced in a free update and allows Sims to take on gigs from clients, submit their work digitally, and get paid upon completion. The sketchpad is often required to finish these tasks, as clients may ask for logos, illustrations, or marketing images that can only be created using the sketchpad interface.
This career path is one of the more flexible options in The Sims 4. Sims can choose when and how often to work, making it ideal for stay-at-home parents, students, or anyone looking to avoid the 9-to-5 grind. The sketchpad complements this lifestyle by allowing jobs to be completed from anywhere, without the need to return home to use an easel or computer.
Boosting Creativity and Income
Using the sketchpad regularly will help increase a Sim’s Painting skill, which not only improves the quality of the artwork but also raises its value. High-level artists can sell their digital paintings for hundreds or even thousands of simoleons, making the sketchpad a powerful tool for generating income.
Additionally, Sims can license their paintings or submit them to art galleries (if they also use traditional methods). Combining both the sketchpad and the easel can maximize a Sim’s artistic potential, letting them flourish creatively and financially.
Ideal Traits and Aspirations
If you’re building a Sim specifically to use the sketchpad, consider giving them the Creative trait. This will help them feel Inspired more often, which in turn boosts their Painting skill and the quality of their work. Other useful traits include:
- Perfectionist: Increases the value of artwork, though it may cause your Sim to take longer or become frustrated.
- Loner: Ideal for freelance artists who work from home and don’t need to socialize often.
- Art Lover: Gives positive moodlets when viewing or creating art.
The Painter Extraordinaire aspiration also complements the sketchpad perfectly. It provides milestones for creating different types of artwork and rewards that increase artistic productivity.
Sketchpad and Mods
Some mods expand the functionality of the sketchpad even further. Modders in the Sims community have created enhancements like new art styles, improved user interfaces, or even compatibility with additional careers. If you’re a PC player and like customizing your game, exploring sketchpad-related mods can take your Sims’ digital art to the next level. Just be sure any mod you download is compatible with your current game version.
Tips for Maximizing Use of the Sketchpad
- Take your sketchpad to the park or café to combine painting with social interaction and mood boosts.
- Use the Inspired moodlet whenever possible before starting a painting for better results.
- Combine freelance gigs with regular art selling for a more stable income.
- Use the sketchpad as a storytelling tool your Sim could be a graphic designer, a webtoon artist, or a digital nomad.
The functional sketchpad in The Sims 4 is a small item with a big impact. It gives creative Sims a chance to express themselves digitally, earn a living through art, and embrace a mobile lifestyle. From improving the Painting skill to unlocking freelance job opportunities, this item is not just useful it’s transformative. Whether you’re designing a tech-savvy Sim or simply want more flexible artistic tools, the sketchpad is a must-have addition to your game. With it, your Sims can create anywhere, anytime, and truly live out their creative dreams.