Freelance Digital Artist is one of three base game Freelancer careers in The Sims 4. It involves Sims creating artwork for clients, primarily on the digital sketchpad, using their Painting Skill. Successful Freelance Digital Artists can become quite prosperous with skill and dedication. This guide covers everything you need to know about being a Freelance Digital Artist in The Sims 4, including a list of all the gigs, how to level up the Painting Skill, how to complete all the tasks for gigs, as well as the best tips for working efficiently and making a good profit.
1. Why You Should Become a Freelance Digital Artist
There are plenty of upsides to becoming a Freelance Digital Artist, including the following reasons:
- As a Freelancer, you can choose when to work and how you want to work, giving you more flexibility and control.
- Sims who Likes Painting will benefit by gaining Fun while working.
- Sims who are proficient at the Painting Skill can make a profit from completing Painting-based gigs.
- You can work from home or while out and about, allowing you to attend to Needs and carry on your day.
Sims who enjoy Painting won’t have to worry about their Fun Need being neglected.
2. What You Need for the Freelance Digital Artist Career
For the Freelance Digital Artist Career, there are two key items you must have:
- A computer. This is primarily for chatting with clients, but also applying for new gigs. Consider purchasing a laptop to carry around with you.
- A digital sketchpad. This is what you use to create all artwork for gigs. You can buy the Digitalistic Sketchpad for 750 Simoleons, but with The Sims 4 Artist Studio Kit, there’s also The CreativePro Tablet for 800 Simoleons.
The base game sketchpad is sold in Build Mode for 750 Simoleons.
3. How to Join the Freelance Digital Artist Career
Signing up to be a Freelance Digital Artist in The Sims 4 is a quick and easy process. Just do the following steps:
- Open your Sim’s phone and select Business > Find a Job, or via a computer select Career > Find a Job. Unemployed Sims also have the Join a Career button in the Careers panel.
- From the careers menu, scroll down until you find Freelancer. Select it and choose Confirm.
- From the list of Freelancer trades, select Electrified Artists (aka Digital Artist).
You are now a Freelance Digital Artist and are free to immediately get your first gig assignment.
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- You first need to select Freelancer from the jobs menu…
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- …then choose Electrified Artists from the list of trades.
4. How to Get a Gig in the Freelance Digital Artist Career
Gigs are assignments in which Freelancers get paid by completing a series of tasks. You report to the clients who assign the gigs. Once the client is satisfied that all tasks have been completed, the gig will officially end and you will get paid, allowing you to start a new gig.
Gigs are available for assigning 24 hours a day, although more gigs are available in the mornings. The gigs on offer refresh every day.
How to Start a New Gig in The Sims 4
To start a new gig, you need to do either of the following:
- Via a computer, select Freelancer > Check for Gigs.
- Via the Careers panel, select the Check for Gigs button. This instantly brings the gigs list up regardless of your Sim’s current activity.
Select a gig from the list to assign it. Available gigs depend on your Sim’s current Painting Skill level and the time of day.
With the Check for Gigs button, you can quickly bring up the list of gigs to choose from.
How to Cancel an Active Gig
Only one gig can be assigned at a time. To cancel the current gig, select the Cancel Gig button in the Careers panel.
Gig Deadlines
All gigs have deadlines that must be met. Failure to complete all tasks within the set deadline will result in the gig automatically being canceled and the client expressing their disappointment, negatively impacting your Work Performance. Make sure not to leave tasks until the last minute.
How to Improve Digital Artist Work Performance
Work Performance is affected by how many gigs you have completed and how successfully. Completing plenty of gigs on time boosts Work Performance, leading to promotions, bonuses, and rewards. Missing deadlines has a negative hit on Work Performance.
Do well as a Freelance Digital Artist and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.
5. All Gigs in the Freelance Digital Artist Career
28 gigs in total are available for the Freelance Digital Artist career in The Sims 4. Each one has different tasks, payouts, and deadlines. Sims with no prior Painting experience can do gigs, but to unlock the highest-paying gigs, you must reach Level 8 of the Painting Skill. Below is a list of all Freelance Digital Artist gigs by Painting Skill level.
Level 1
Gigs for beginner Digital Artists include creating icons and portraits.
Create icons and portraits in Level 1 Gigs.
Icons for Sims Forever
- Pay: §370
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create 3 Icons on Sketchpad, Get Icons Approved
Portrait for Posterity
- Pay: §115
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Paint Portrait on Sketchpad, Get Portrait Approved
Portrait of Deceased Relative
- Pay: §130
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Paint Portrait on Sketchpad, Get Portrait Approved
The Perfect App Icon
- Pay: §305
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create 3 Icons on Sketchpad, Get Icons Approved
The Portrait of a Politician
- Pay: §175
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Paint Portrait on Sketchpad, Get Portrait Approved
Level 2
Digital Artists who gain more Painting experience can now create splash art, posters, and create illustrative art to show their clients.
New variety of gigs are unlocked at Level 2.
Band Tour Venue Poster
- Pay: §320
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create Splash Art on Sketchpad, Get Splash Art Approved
Forensic Sketch Artist
- Pay: §110
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create Illustrative Painting on Sketchpad, Meet With Client
Indie Film’s Movie Poster
- Pay: §375
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create Splash Art on Sketchpad, Get Splash Art Approved
Loading Screen Splash Art
- Pay: §350
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create Splash Art on Sketchpad, Get Splash Art Approved
Poetry Slam Jam Session Sketching
- Pay: §125
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create Illustrative Painting on Sketchpad, Meet With Client
Level 3
Level 3 Digital Artists unlock a set of gigs involving teaching art classes (off-lot).
Teach others about art at Level 3.
Nectar & Painting Class
- Pay: §240
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Class
Painting 101 Substitute
- Pay: §245
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Class
Young Artists Camp Demonstration
- Pay: §235
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Class
Level 4
Level 4 Painting Skill unlocks shadier Digital Artist jobs, namely forging artwork.
Dabble in the dodgy side of the art industry with forgeries.
100% Definitely Legal Job
- Pay: §1,125
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Create Forgery on Sketchpad, Get Forgery Approved
Art Dealer Escapades
- Pay: §1,340
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Create Forgery on Sketchpad, Get Forgery Approved
‘Underground’ Art Collector
- Pay: §1,540
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Study Reference Images, Create Forgery on Sketchpad, Get Forgery Approved
Level 5
Logo-based gigs are unlocked at Level 5 Painting.
Create logos at Level 5.
Product Logo Commission
- Pay: §1,340
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create 3 Logos on Sketchpad, Get Logos Approved
Sillisim Valley Startup Logo
- Pay: §1,270
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create 3 Logos on Sketchpad, Get Logos Approved
Web 3.0 Logo
- Pay: §1,315
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat With Client, Create 3 Logos on Sketchpad, Get Logos Approved
Level 6
These Level 6 gigs involve creating any type of artwork and then meeting up with the client.
Meet clients face-to-face at Level 6.
Electrical Box Art
- Pay: §920
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Client
Grift Graft
- Pay: §1,145
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Client
Main Street Mural
- Pay: §1,025
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Create a Painting of Any Style on Sketchpad, Meet With Client
Level 7
Sims at Level 7 Painting are tasked with creating character concepts.
Design characters at Level 7.
Character Designs for AAA Game
- Pay: §2,675
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 2 Character Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Character Concepts Approved
Indie Game Characters
- Pay: §2,555
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 2 Character Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Character Concepts Approved
Movie Character Concepts
- Pay: §2,750
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 2 Character Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Character Concepts Approved
Level 8
The highest-level and highest-paying Digital Artist gigs want Sims who can create environmental artwork for clients.
Bring new worlds to life with environment concepts at Level 8.
Kick-started Catastrophe
- Pay: §2,925
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 3 Environment Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Environment Concepts Approved
Sci-Fi Film Matte Paintings
- Pay: §3,105
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 3 Environment Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Environment Concepts Approved
World Exploration
- Pay: §3,050
- Due: 4 days
- Tasks: Study Design Documents, Create 3 Environment Concepts on Sketchpad, Get Environment Concepts Approved
6. How to Complete All Tasks in the Freelance Digital Artist Career
Over the various gigs for the Freelance Digital Artist career, there are different tasks that need completing in order to finish the gig and satisfy the client. Failure to complete the tasks on time will result in unhappy clients and a drop in Work Performance. Here are all the tasks found in the Digital Artist gigs and how to complete them.
How to Chat With Client
In some gigs, the first task is to chat with the client. For this, you need a computer. Select it and choose Freelancer > Chat With Client. This interaction takes around an hour. Afterwards, your Sim will either become Inspired or Tense, depending on whether the chat was positive or negative. These Moodlets last a few hours.
Chat with the client to get a better idea of what they want… or not.
How to Study Reference Images/Design Documents
Some gigs want you to study reference images or design documents before creating any artwork. This is done via a computer, under Freelancer > Study Reference Images/Study Design Documents. Doing this takes about an hour. After finishing it, your Sim may receive a positive or negative Moodlet.
Getting a clear idea from the documents provided by the client gives a good start for a new gig.
How to Create Artwork on Sketchpad
Every gig in the Freelance Digital Artist career has a task where you must create at least one specific type of artwork, and more specifically via the digital sketchpad instead of an easel.
To create artwork for a gig on a digital sketchpad, select the sketchpad and choose Freelancer, then the style of artwork will be listed based on the currently active gig. Select it to begin creating. The exception are Illustrative Paintings, found under their own category, then you can choose to paint a Small, Medium, or Large Painting. The finished artwork will appear in your Sim’s Inventory.
Use the sketchpad to create works of art for clients.
List of Artwork Styles and Costs for Artist Gigs
Each artwork costs money to create, deducted from the Household Funds when you start painting on the sketchpad. Below is a list of every type of artwork created in gigs and their cost:
- Icons – 50 Simoleons
- Portrait – 100 Simoleons
- Splash Art – 75 Simoleons
- Illustrative Painting – 35 Simoleons (Small), 60 Simoleons (Medium), 80 Simoleons (Large)
- Forgery – 100 Simoleons
- Character Concepts – 75 Simoleons
- Environment Concepts – 100 Simoleons
- Any Style – One of any available type of painting
Only Illustrative and “any style” paintings can be found outside the Freelancer category.
How to Get Work Approved
After completing an artwork for a gig, it must be approved by the client. A gig cannot be completed if the client doesn’t approve the work done for them. Artwork can either be accepted or rejected, depending on a few factors.
To attempt to get artwork approved, select the finished artwork and choose Submit to Client for Approval. If it’s accepted, it’ll disappear from the Sim’s Inventory and a pop-up message will notify you that the client approved it. If it is rejected by the client, the artwork will remain in the Inventory and they will ask you to rework the painting.
Will the client like the artwork? There’s only one way to find out.
How to Edit Rejected Work
If an artwork has been rejected by a client upon submission, you’ll have no choice but to do either two things:
- Edit the rejected artwork and try submitting it to the client again.
- Start a new artwork from scratch and submit that instead.
To rework a rejected painting, select the digital sketchpad and choose Freelancer > Edit Rejected Content, then pick the rejected artwork. It can take a few hours to work on a painting that’s been rejected. Once you have finished, select the edited artwork and choose Send to Client for Approval. It is not guaranteed that re-edited artwork will be accepted.
Editing rejected work is a chore, but it must be done if you want to finish the gig.
What Happens If a Client Rejects Artwork?
There is a chance that while editing rejected work, the client will stop you, telling you to start again with a new artwork. When this happens, the rejected artwork will disappear. You will not fail the gig and the gig will not be canceled when edited artwork is rejected. You will be given another chance by the client to create more artwork to complete the gig.
How to Meet With Client/Class
In some gigs, instead of getting artwork approved by the client, you will meet up with them. Some gigs also task you with hosting an art class. Both these tasks involve you leaving the lot off-screen for several hours. The gig will be completed upon your return from seeing the client or teaching the class. You cannot complete any actions like you would in a rabbithole job while you are away, except for the option to Leave Early.
To see a client or go to a class, select the artwork you created for the gig, then choose Meet With Client/Meet With Class. You will then immediately leave the lot for several hours.
Make sure your Needs are satisfied before heading off to a meeting or class. Don’t go if your Energy or Hunger Needs are low.
After completing these gigs, you get to keep the artwork, unlike other Digital Artist gigs. You can sell them, display them, or gift them to others.
Meeting a client or class sends your Sim away for several hours.
7. Best Tips for the Freelance Digital Artist Career
To round off this guide for the Freelance Digital Artist career in The Sims 4, here are some final tips to leave you with:
- Be Inspired while Painting. Being in an Inspired Mood helps build the Painting Skill faster. Become Inspired by viewing artwork, taking a Thoughtful Shower, or Browsing Art on a computer.
- Have the Creative Trait. Creative Sims automatically become Inspired frequently.
- Don’t neglect Needs. Low Needs may have a negative impact on the quality of artwork, as well as being distracting. Tend to low Needs and make sure they’re green before starting work.
- Sell rejected artwork. If artwork has been rejected, consider selling it for extra money instead of editing it. Editing takes time and doesn’t always guarantee approval from the client, and it vanishes when scraped by the client.
- Paint small artwork for meetings and classes. With the “paint any style” task, go with a smaller sized painting so you can get it finished quickly and go to that meeting/class to wrap up the gig faster.
Inspired Sims build Painting Skill faster, unlocking more gigs.
