There is no officially published recipe that guarantees a sale to a particular customer in Passpartout: The Starving Artist. The developer’s practical advice is to try different painting styles and learn from buyers’ reactions. Use customer-specific tips as experiments—not rules—and change one feature at a time so you can tell what seems to help.
How to find paintings a customer will buy
Passpartout: The Starving Artist is a single-player painting simulation by Flamebait Games, released on Steam on June 6, 2017. You create paintings, sell them to customers, and use the proceeds to meet expenses and progress through galleries and customer groups. The developer’s Steam FAQ recommends experimenting with different styles rather than following a guaranteed customer formula.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Notice who is buying. Keep track of the customer type and the painting they respond to.
- Change one feature on the next attempt. Try a different palette, subject, amount of detail, stroke energy, or time spent. This one-variable approach is a practical way to interpret feedback, not an official scoring mechanic.
- Use the response to guide another test. If the customer rejects the work, vary the next painting instead of assuming the same recipe will work for every buyer.
Player reports connect customer preferences with color, energy, detail, and subject, but they also disagree about what works. The Steam community discussions are useful for ideas to test, not proof of a hidden formula.
What styles can you try for different customers?
The suggestions below come from player guides and discussions, not developer-confirmed requirements. Treat each as a starting point, and adjust based on the buyers you actually encounter.
#1 Best Overall
- PREMIUM 68LB/100GSM SKETCH PAPER FOR DRY MEDIA: Fuxi's sketch paper pad has 100.8gsm, 155μm-thick paper with a bright white diagonal-tooth surface for erasing, shading and blending. Fuxi sketching paper works with graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, pens, light ink and oil pastels. Fuxi makes sketch paper for kids to use at school or at home; this drawing paper pad supports classwork and practice as sketch paper for drawing. Not for watercolor, alcohol markers, acrylic paint or heavy wet media.
- DIAGONAL-TOOTH TEXTURE & REPEATED-ERASING PERFORMANCE: Fuxi sketchpad 9x12 uses 100.8gsm, 155μm bright white paper. Its diagonal tooth grips graphite, colored pencil and charcoal for clean lines, shading and blending. High-strength surface sizing withstands repeated erasing during figure studies, still-life drawing, landscapes and urban sketches. This sketchpad for kids suits class practice; at home, it works as a sketchpad for drawing, while roomy pages support detailed studies for adults
- TOP SPIRAL BOUND & LAY-FLAT: The Fuxi 9x12 sketchbook has a top coil that flips smoothly and stays above the page, helping reduce wrist contact for left- and right-handed users. The 9x12 spiral sketchbook opens flat for sketching, shading, notes and art class. Pages detach neatly for homework, sharing or display. Fuxi's spiral sketchbook 9x12 is a sketchbook for drawing that combines the roomy workspace expected from an art sketchbook 9x12 with a 9x12 spiral bound sketchbook format.
- THOUGHTFUL DOUBLE-SIDED HARDCOVER DESIGN & TRUE-TO-SIZE 9X12 SHEETS: The Fuxi sketchbook 9x12 measures 13.2 x 9 x 0.7 in; each micro-perforated sheet removes cleanly at a full 9 x 12 in. With 100 sheets (200 usable sides), this perforated sketch book 9x12 features drawing paper 9 x 12 in size for class and home practice. Rigid front and back covers help protect pages in backpacks and give this double sided hardcover sketchbook a firm drawing surface for class, travel or sketching without a desk.
- ACID-FREE 98% BRIGHT WHITE DRAWING PAPER: Made with 100gsm sheets, Fuxi white drawing paper for kids keeps pencil lines, shading and color clear. This drawing paper pad works as a drawing pad for kids at school or home. The drawing book for kids supports doodles and classwork, while the drawing notebook for kids keeps sketches and ideas together. As an art drawing pad, it gives beginners and artists room for dry-media practice. Acid-free pages help reduce yellowing over time.
Punk customers
A player guide recommends trying bright, contrasting colors and quick, energetic lines for the Punk Girlies in Act 1. Community discussion also associates punks with energetic work. If that approach does not land, test a change in subject or detail rather than repeating the same painting unchanged. The player guide describes its advice as a strategy, not an official rule.
Minimalist customers
The same guide says minimalist buyers appear in Act 2 and suggests simple lines, a small neutral palette, and deliberate strokes. It also reports that these customers may dislike rushed work. Those specifics are one player’s approach, so use them as variables to test rather than required brush or color counts.
Rank #2
- Premium Artist Drawing Paper: Premium drawing pads and sketchbooks with a 9 x 12-inch size are ideal for artists of all skill levels. Each sketchpad contains 100 sheets, for a total of 100 high-quality paper sheets. Good texture for sketching and drawing. A lovely paper book gift for anyone who likes to write, paint, illustrate, sketch, or create art. Graphite pencils, colored pencils, charcoal, pens, soft oil pastels, sketching sticks, and more can all be used with this sketchbook.Graduation gift card,high school graduation gifts. college school supplies, school supplies, back to school.
- Thick Sketching Drawing Book Pad: With a standard weight of 68 pounds/100 grams, this sketchbook paper is pH neutral and acid-free. It is also thick and high quality. For clean artwork, it stops bleeding, smudging, and feathering. Maintain the quality of your artwork for many years to come, Perfect for kids sketching,drawing.
- Travels Anywhere Inspiration Strikes — Backpack, Car, Cafe, Classroom: Lightweight yet durable enough for daily use by kids, teens, and adults. Fits in most school backpacks, art bags, and even large purses. Great for urban sketching, travel journaling, manga drawing, doodling, art homework, and beginner to-professional practice. All kinds of dry media, including pencils, pens, crayons, charcoal, pastels, and sketching sticks, can be used with our acid-free, natural white drawing paper.Important: This is DRY MEDIA paper — for alcohol markers or watercolors, choose our dedicated marker/watercolor pads instead.
- Lays Completely Flat — Perfect for Long Drawing Sessions: Both left-handed and right-handed users will find the top spiral binding to be pleasant and accommodating, since it makes it simple to turn pages and allows the pad to sit flat when opened. It will always preserve the paper in good condition and improve the writing and sketching quality thanks to the sturdy backboard and thick cardstock cover. Because each page is micro-perforated, removing a single page is simple
- The Perfect Gift for Kids, Nieces & Grandkids Who Love to Draw: Whether it's a birthday, back-to-school surprise, this large sketchpad is ideal for creating artwork and honing skills. Ideal gift for graduation gifts, Christmas art supplies, craft painting suppliesor just to spark creativity, this 100-sheet 9x12 sketchbook keeps young artists (ages 3-14) drawing for months. great for fieldtrips, art class, and long car rides.
Businessmen and hipsters
Players have associated businessmen with calmer, simple compositions or portraits, and hipsters with bright work. These are anecdotal patterns, not reliable guarantees. Try a clear contrast in palette or subject, then watch whether the response changes.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow do acts and transition offers affect progress?
The player guide describes impressing the Punk Girlies as its recommended route from Act 1 to Act 2, where it says minimalist buyers appear. It also advises saving money before Act 3 and turning down extremely low offers. These are the guide author’s experiences, not authoritative economic thresholds or mandatory progression rules.
Rank #3
- 【100 Sheets of White Drawing Paper】100 sheets of sturdy 68lb/100gsm drawing paper give kids, beginners, students, and artists room for daily sketching, art class, school projects, line work, and shading practice. This SuFly drawing paper pad has micro-perforated sheets that tear out to 9x12 drawing paper for artwork, homework, or sharing. In class, it works as clean drawing paper for kids; at home or on the go, it works as dependable drawing paper for adults.
- 【Acid-Free Sketch Paper for Dry Media】Made with acid free paper, this sketch book features acid free sketch paper for art practice and creative drawing. This sketch paper works with pencil, graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, crayon, and pastel. Unlike ordinary sketch papers, this sketch paper pad is made for dry media. In class or at home, it works as sketch paper for kids. For sketching, it works as sketch paper for drawing. These sketch paper pads for drawing are not for markers or watercolor
- 【Top Spiral Binding That Lays Flat】Top spiral binding lets pages turn smoothly while this SuFly sketchbook lays flat on desks, classroom tables, or laps. Designed as a top spiral sketchbook, this spiral sketchbook 9x12 keeps the coil away from left- and right-handed artists. With a sturdy cover, it works as a hardcover sketchbook for drawing, an art sketchbook 9x12 for school projects, and a sketchbook for kids. Use this spiral bound sketchbook 9x12 for home practice.
- 【Hardcover Support & Clean Tear-Out Pages】Front and back sketch book hard covers protect this SuFly spiral sketch book 9x12 from bending, creasing, and backpack wear. As a spiral bound sketch book 9x12, it stays slim for class, desks, and school bags, while micro-perforated pages tear out to a clean 9x12 drawing area for homework, finished art, or sharing. For students comparing sketch books for drawing, this format works as a sketch book for art class and a reliable sketch book for school.
- 【Sketch Pad for Every Skill Level】SuFly sketch pads is made for everyday creativity, with a spacious sketch pad 9x12 format for sketching, shading, doodling, and drawing practice. The spiral bound sketch pads design turns pages smoothly for comfortable use. Built for ages and skill levels, this sketch pad for adults also works as a sketch pad for kids in art class and a sketch pad for artists during daily practice, making it practical for sketch pads for drawing for adults.
The developer’s FAQ says the game has multiple endings and that you can continue replaying an act by declining the transition offer. That option gives you room to try different paintings before moving on; it does not mean every customer preference or outcome is fixed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need a drawing tablet?
No tablet is described as necessary. The developer says most Wacom tablets have been confirmed to work after manual configuration changes, but the FAQ does not confirm support for other brands. A mouse or other input method is sufficient to play; consider a tablet only if you prefer drawing with one.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CONVENIENT DESIGNS FOR SKETCH DRAWING: The sketchbook designs with durable spiral bound and die cut line per each inner paper, you can detach paper without any trouble. Also, the 8.5x11 inches 90gsm high quality sketch paper provide perfect drawing experience
- PREMIUM AND DURABLE PAPER: The sketchbook includes 80 sheets 90gsm paper, the durable sketch paper provides perfect drawing and writing experience, great idea for all drawing method, such as, pencil, pastels, charcoal, gel pen and so on
- LARGE SIZE WITH PROTECTIVE COVER: 1 pack of 8.5x11 inches sketchbook, the large size provides multiple functions, to meet all your drawing requirements, it can offer unique prefect painting experience for you. Also, the waterproof hardcover with PU material makes protection function for high quality art works
- QUALITY ENSURE: All of the components are under our door-to-door quality control system; quality assurance process delivers outstanding quality and durability
- GREAT GIFT: An ideal gift for you to find more sketch drawing necessary tools easy way and ideas here. It provides a unique and practical present
Rank #4
- 【Professional Grade 8.5x11 Sketchbook for All Artists】Premium 68lb/100g/m2 acid-free paper resists bleed and smudge. Great for dry media like pencil, charcoal and pastel. 50 smooth sheets for beginners and professionals. Perfect sketchbook for drawing, sketching projects
- 【Spiral Binding Portable Design with Tear Line】Durable spiral binding design allows 360° page turns, and pre-perforated tear edge design allows for clean paper tears (no scissors required). 8.5x11 sketchbook size fits standard portfolio. Back hardcover doubles as outdoor/desktop drawing board
- 【Versatile Drawing Supplies for Dry Media】Thick, non-yellowing paper pairs well with colored pencils, gel pens, markers and charcoal. Acid-free surface extends the life of your work. Our sketchbooks meet studio and classroom standards. A great gift for art students and creative people
- 【Durable 8.5x11 Sketchbook with Extras】Premium matte cover protects pages, reinforced spiral spine for durability. Built-in backboard for easy drawing on your knees or uneven surfaces. Classic size that fits in a backpack - ideal travel sketchbook for inspiration anytime, anywhere
- 【Multi-Purpose Artist Sketchbook Set】8.5x11 sketchbook, perforated pages make it easy to create frameable artwork. Compatible with all dry media - from quick sketches to detailed illustrations, to meet a variety of artists' creative projects
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
