In Once Human, Devious Paintings offer a fun break from the main storyline with exploration-based puzzles that reward you with valuable loot. Found across four different regions, each painting leads to a hidden crate using clues from an Artist’s Diary. If you’re ready to test your observation skills and earn exclusive rewards, here’s how to find and solve every Devious Painting in the game.
What Are Devious Paintings?
Once Human features more than just its main storyline – Devious Paintings are one of its trickier side quests. These hidden puzzles involve tracking down clues and offer solid rewards for players who enjoy exploring and solving mysteries.
You’ll sometimes come across these during seasonal missions. When you do, you’re basically starting a visual riddle. After locating a Devious Painting, the next step is to track down an Artist’s Diary nearby. This diary, when interacted with (press Q), will show you a snapshot of a map with an X marking the spot of a hidden purple loot crate. Your goal? Head to that spot, find the crate, and claim the goods.
Each region in the game contains one Devious Painting, and the challenge lies in both finding and solving it.
All Devious Paintings
Red Sands
Painting Spot: Just above Blackfell
→ Coordinates: (5381, 144)
Crate Location: Near a riverside north of Blackfell → Coordinates: (4778, 1475)
Rewards:
- 2000 Energy Link
- 6x Stellar Planula
- Controller x1
- Forward Flash Hider (Weapon Mod)
- Impressionism Frame XVI (Blueprint)
Iron River
Painting Spot: North of Dayton Hospital → Coordinates: (5891, -4264)
Crate Location: Road near the Mirage Monolith → Coordinates: (6649, -2540)
Rewards:
- 500 Energy Link
- Controller x1
- 5x Stellar Planula
- Light Optic (Weapon Mod)
- Impressionism Frame VII (Blueprint)
- 5x Stellar Planula
Chalk Peak
Painting Spot: West of Rotten Saddle Rift Anchor → Coordinates: (671, -6168)
Crate Location: Near a dirt road intersection west of Tall Grass Inn → Coordinates: (1936, -5100)
Rewards:
- 1000 Energy Link
- Small Laser Sight (Weapon Mod)
- 5x Stellar Planula
- Controller x1
- Impressionism Frame I (Blueprint)
Broken Delta
Painting Spot: Below High Banks → Coordinates: (5443, -5964)
Crate Location: Small island south of Meyer’s Market → Coordinates: (5743, -6819)
Rewards:
- Impressionism Frame II (Blueprint)
- 4x Stellar Planula
- 200 Energy Link
- Small Brake (Weapon Mod)
- Controller x1
Tips for Completing These Puzzles
- Look closely at the painting and the diary photo, it’s often about recognizing terrain or landmarks.
- The loot crates glow purple, so they’re easy to spot once you’re nearby.
- Don’t forget to interact with the diary first, or the hint image won’t show up.
Exploring every inch of the map is already rewarding in Once Human, but these Devious Paintings give you a reason to slow down, observe, and think creatively. They’re a great side activity if you’re in the mood for something chill but rewarding.
