Part 36

Learn how to master painting and writing in The Sims 3. Discover skill challenges, unlock new genres, and maximize your Sim's earning potential.

Part 36 of this guide covers advanced aspects of the Painting and Writing skills in The Sims 3. At Painting Level 6, Sims can create a "Brilliant" painting, worth double the normal value and providing an environmental benefit. At Level 9, Sims can paint a "Masterpiece," offering a stronger environmental boost and selling for triple the usual value. If a painter dies, their paintings become more valuable due to limited supply.

Developmental effects for Painting include:

1. Level 5: Paint a Still Life (based on a chosen photo).
2. Level 7: Paint a Portrait of a Sim (requires two Sims).
3. Level 8: Paint a Memorized Scene (based on a photo of a neighborhood location).

Skill Challenges for Painting:

• Brushmaster: Paint 35 paintings to paint faster.
• Master Painter: Paint 5 Masterpieces to increase the selling price of all future paintings.
• Proficient Painter: Paint 6 Brilliant paintings to increase the chance of painting Brilliant and Masterpiece paintings.

The Writing skill is also detailed. Sims can learn by taking classes, reading books, or practicing on the computer. Increasing writing level unlocks more novel genres:

• Level 0: Fiction, Non-Fiction
• Level 1: Science Fiction
• Level 2: Trashy
• Level 3: Drama, Children's Book (requires Painting Level 6)
• Level 5: Humour (requires Good Sense of Humour Level 2)
• Level 6: Historical
• Level 8: Mystery
• Level 10: Masterpiece, Romance (requires Hopeless Romantics Level 5)

Additional genres can be unlocked by writing specific novels:

• Autobiography: Write 3 Biographies.
• Fantasy: Write 3 Science Fiction Novels.
• Satire: Write 3 Humour Novels.
• Vaudeville: Write 2 each of Drama, Science Fiction, Humour, Mystery, and Romance Novels.

Skill Challenges for Writing:

• Prolific Writer: Write 20 novels to increase recognition and royalty earnings (more Hits and Best-Sellers).
• Specialist Writer: Write 5 novels in a specific genre to become well-recognized in that genre, increasing Hits and Best-Sellers within it.
• Speed Writer: Earn 15,000 Simoleons in royalties to write much faster.

The guide also briefly touches on careers, noting 11 professional jobs and 10 career tracks available, with part-time jobs also an option. Adults and elders can hold full-time jobs, and some careers have branching paths. Elders can retire and receive a pension.