Classic Aesthetic

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THE COSTUME: Closet Staples You Might Already Have

• Start with dramatic pieces or anything that feels deliberately styled—even if it’s mismatched, the goal is to look like you meant it. Artists may wear oversized paint-stained shirts, asymmetrical sweaters, dramatic scarves, and old boots or canvas sneakers. A beret or wide-brimmed hat can push things into comedy territory, if that’s your angle.

• Designers and gallerists often wear sleek, curated outfits: think black turtlenecks, stylish blazers, slacks, statement dresses, or jumpsuits. Monochrome with a bold accessory or architectural silhouette will sell the designer look. Bonus points for glasses that are purely aesthetic.

• Art dealers might be a little flashier—wearing patterned suits, gold chains, and polished loafers—especially if they’re shady.

 

HAIR & MAKEUP:

• Artists often lean toward expressive, undone, or wildly stylized looks. A messy bun with paintbrushes stuck inside? Perfect. Colored streaks? Yes. Smudged eyeliner or dramatic eye shadow adds to the tortured soul vibe.

• Designers and gallerists tend to be more polished: slick ponytails, tidy bobs, precision makeup with bold lipstick or minimalistic glam. Critics might wear pince-nez or tiny wire glasses low on the nose for maximum condescension.

• Restoration experts or dealers might have faint dust on their sleeves or gloves tucked into their belts.

 

ACCESSORIES: 

It’s all about the personal statement:

• A paintbrush tucked behind the ear or a palette in hand

• Oversized sketchbooks, measuring tape, or mood boards

• Sunglasses worn indoors (because art is blinding, obviously)

• Portfolio cases, vintage cameras, or auction catalogs

• Eccentric jewelry made of random objects (gears, rulers, doll parts)

• A “gallery name tag” or VIP lanyard that reads:
  “ArtHaus Collective – Curator of Vision” (Or whatever gallery your character works at.)

• A travel coffee mug that says “Warhol Wouldn’t Approve”

• Color swatches, a tape measure, or architectural miniatures

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🎨 Palette of Peril: A Character Guide for Artists, Aesthetes & Accidental Criminals

Because when art meets mystery, someone’s always dying for attention.

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🎨 The Eccentric Fine Artist – The Master of Mayhem

Vibe: Passionate, unpredictable, and convinced the world “just doesn’t get it.”
Paints at midnight. Drinks too much coffee. May have “accidentally” painted over the evidence.

Costume (from your closet):

• Paint-splattered shirt, scarf, loose jeans, and sneakers.

• Beret or beanie optional, but dramatic scarf encouraged.

• Add a streak of color across your face for flair.

Props & Accessories:

• Paintbrush, sketchbook, or mini canvas labeled “My Darkest Work Yet.”

• Palette or fake paint tubes.

How to Act:

• Gaze at people like they’re unfinished portraits.

• Speak in riddles and dramatic sighs.

• Start every sentence with “My vision was…”

Quirks:

• Describes emotions as colors (“I’m feeling… chartreuse”).

• Waves hands dramatically while talking.

• Refuses to explain their “process.”

Sayings:

“This murder scene has excellent composition.”
“You can’t arrest inspiration.”
“Art is pain… sometimes literally.”

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🪑 The Minimalist Interior Designer – The Chaos Controller

Vibe: Calm, refined, and allergic to clutter. Thinks the color beige is a personality trait.

Costume (from your closet):

• All neutral tones: black, white, tan, or gray.

• Crisp shirt, straight-leg pants, tidy hair.

• One elegant accessory, nothing more.

Props & Accessories:

• Measuring tape, small ruler, or mood board.

• Notebook labeled “Less Is More (Except in Murder).”

How to Act:

• Rearrange things constantly.

• Speak softly but judge loudly with your eyes.

• Call every messy space “a creative tragedy.”

Quirks:

• Straightens crooked objects during conversations.

• Describes crimes as “overly busy.”

• Sighs before fixing anything.

Sayings:

“This bloodstain? Overdesigned.”
“Clutter is the enemy of peace — and alibis.”
“I would’ve gone with something… cleaner.”

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🖼️ The Gallerist – The Curator of Chaos

Vibe: Polished, poised, and perpetually networking. If there’s gossip, they’ve already framed it.

Costume (from your closet):

• Stylish blazer, dark jeans or skirt, statement jewelry or watch.

• Hair neat, confidence untouchable.

Props & Accessories:

• Clipboard labeled “Private Guest List.”

• Champagne glass (real or plastic).

How to Act:

• Drop names of fictional “clients.”

• Call people “darling” and mean it half the time.

• Gasp dramatically when someone mentions money.

Quirks:

• Greets everyone like they’re famous.

• Walks as if there’s always soft background music.

• Treats chaos like it’s part of the exhibit.

Sayings:

“Ah, limited edition behavior.”
“We prefer to call it ‘avant-garde crime.’”
“Everything’s for sale… technically.”

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💼 The Art Dealer – The Smooth Talker

Vibe: Confident, clever, and just a little too good at getting “exclusive” pieces. Could sell air if it had a signature.

Costume (from your closet):

• Blazer, turtleneck, or dress shirt.

• Polished shoes and a confident grin.

• Pocket square or simple scarf for drama.

Props & Accessories:

• Folder labeled “Confidential Auction.”

• Rolled-up “painting” or art catalog.

How to Act:

• Speak in charming half-truths.

• Whisper important details, even when unnecessary.

• Refer to art as “investments.”

Quirks:

• Checks their watch often.

• Calls everyone “friend” like it’s a sales pitch.

• Smiles through everything — even suspicion.

Sayings:

“It’s not stolen, it’s… relocated.”
“Rarity is a state of mind.”
“Supply, demand, and dramatic tension — the golden trio.”

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🗿 The Abstract Sculptor – The Quiet Enigma

Vibe: Serious, stoic, and obsessed with form and meaning. Probably welded their emotions years ago.

Costume (from your closet):

• Work shirt, dark jeans, boots, gloves.

• Add a few scuff marks for authenticity.

Props & Accessories:

• Toy hammer or chisel, wire or clay.

• Notebook labeled “Untitled Ideas.”

How to Act:

• Speak slowly.

• Pause too long before answering.

• Call the murder “an exploration of decay.”

Quirks:

• Doesn’t blink often.

• Calls art “structural emotion.”

• Occasionally hums dramatic music.

Sayings:

“It’s not chaos — it’s kinetic energy.”
“I bend metal, not morals.”
“Art doesn’t explain itself, and neither do I.”

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✏️ The Art Critic – The Professional Pessimist

Vibe: Sharp, eloquent, and unimpressed by everything, including the murder.

Costume (from your closet):

• Blazer or trench coat, scarf, notebook.

• Glasses (real or fake).

Props & Accessories:

• Clipboard with “Review Notes.”

• Red pen and fake press badge.

How to Act:

• Compliment things sarcastically.

• Scribble notes mid-conversation.

• End every insult with “but that’s just my opinion.”

Quirks:

• Sniffs disdainfully before speaking.

• Talks in metaphors.

• Always acts like they’re about to publish a review.

Sayings:

“A bold choice, but not a good one.”
“Your motive? Predictable.”
“This crime scene lacks vision.”

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🧴 The Restoration Expert – The Hidden Truth Teller

Vibe: Calm, precise, and quietly unsettling — they see what others try to hide.

Costume (from your closet):

• Neutral colors, cardigan or lab coat, gloves in pocket.

• Clean but rumpled look.

Props & Accessories:

• Small paintbrush, cotton swabs, notebook.

• Folder labeled “Confidential Findings.”

How to Act:

• Observe quietly, then drop shocking details.

• Talk about “layers” — in art and in people.

• Treat every clue like a priceless relic.

Quirks:

• Cleans things mid-sentence.

• Inspects stains a little too closely.

• Quotes old museum procedures.

Sayings:

“Every surface tells a story.”
“Cracks reveal more than they hide.”
“I’m just restoring the truth.”

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🔩 The Installation Artist – The Conceptual Wildcard

Vibe: Visionary, mysterious, and always misunderstood. Believes everything is part of a larger piece — even the crime.

Costume (from your closet):

• Black jeans, oversized hoodie, boots.

• Messy bun or unbrushed hair — perfection is boring.

Props & Accessories:

• Duct tape, rope, notebook labeled “Statement Piece.”

• Odd prop (like a spoon glued to cardboard).

How to Act:

• Speak dramatically about meaning.

• Rearrange objects mid-conversation.

• Call the murder “immersive art.”

Quirks:

• Stares off as if picturing invisible sculptures.

• Adds random words like “transcendence” into sentences.

• Occasionally whispers, “It’s all part of the experience.”

Sayings:

“The installation began the moment you arrived.”
“Don’t touch that — it’s symbolic.”
“The body? That’s Act Two.”

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🎓 The Art School Dropout – The Dreamer

Vibe: Emotional, restless, and very sure the world’s against them.
Lives off coffee, chaos, and creative potential.

Costume (from your closet):

• Jeans, thrifted jacket, oversized shirt.

• Sneakers or boots, sketchbook in hand.

Props & Accessories:

• Coffee cup, crumpled papers, notebook labeled “Someday.”

How to Act:

• Start passionate rants that go nowhere.

• Gesture a lot when explaining your “vision.”

• Interrupt others with big ideas, then forget what you were saying.

Quirks:

• Constantly doodles.

• Overreacts to criticism.

• Quotes teachers no one’s heard of.

Sayings:

“They didn’t expel me — they set me free.”
“Art school couldn’t contain me.”
“One day, they’ll see.”

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🖋️ The Poet – The Melancholy Muse

Vibe: Gentle, introspective, and just dramatic enough to make an entrance in slow motion.

Costume (from your closet):

• Flowing shirt, cardigan, scarf, soft tones.

• Notebook always nearby.

Props & Accessories:

• Quill pen (or any pen), journal labeled “Verses of Truth.”

How to Act:

• Speak softly, sometimes in rhyme.

• Stare into space before answering.

• Write mid-conversation.

Quirks:

• Snaps fingers instead of clapping.

• Describes everything as “tragic yet beautiful.”

• Starts poems during tense moments.

Sayings:

“This tragedy… it writes itself.”
“I rhyme in grief and dine in metaphor.”
“My alibi? Inspiration struck.”

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🛡️ The Museum Guard – The Unshakable Sentinel

Vibe: Stoic, observant, and 100% done with everyone’s nonsense. Has seen every type of drama imaginable… and refuses to move for any of it.

Costume (from your closet):

• Navy or gray shirt, black pants, comfortable shoes.

• Add a badge, name tag, or small radio earpiece.

• Optional: hat or blazer with “SECURITY” written somewhere.

Props & Accessories:

• Flashlight, walkie-talkie, fake ID badge, or clipboard labeled “Incident Report.”

• “Do Not Touch” sign (DIY with paper or cardboard).

How to Act:

• Stand with arms crossed and watch everyone suspiciously.

• Speak rarely but with authority.

• Patrol slowly, like you’re always one step away from telling someone to stop running.

Quirks:

• Never blinks first.

• Mutters about “budget cuts.”

• Treats everyone like they’re breaking museum policy.

Sayings:

“Step away from the exhibit, ma’am.”
“Every masterpiece has fingerprints — yours just might match.”
“I’ve been guarding this place longer than that painting’s been dry.”

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💎 The Collector – The Perfectionist Patron

Vibe: Sophisticated, controlling, and dramatically attached to their “curated lifestyle.” Thinks art should be admired from afar — preferably through glass.

Costume (from your closet):

• Men: Suit jacket or blazer, polished shoes, pocket square.

• Women: Elegant dress or tailored outfit, pearls or brooch.

• Both: Gloves — because fingerprints are the enemy.

Props & Accessories:

• Fake champagne glass, monocle, or rolled-up “auction catalog.”

• Cloth or handkerchief to “avoid smudging.”

• Clipboard labeled “Inventory: Priceless.”

How to Act:

• Speak like you’re narrating a museum tour.

• Correct people on art facts (even when wrong).

• Look mildly horrified any time someone touches anything.

Quirks:

• Carries sanitizer “for artifacts.”

• Collects odd things (stamps, thimbles, suspicions).

• Gently dusts off nearby furniture while talking.

Sayings:

“I only collect originals… and impeccable excuses.”
“Art should be appreciated, not handled.”
“Some call it obsessive. I call it preservation.”

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🖌️ The Forger – The Imitation Genius

Vibe: Brilliant, confident, and just a little too defensive. Creates perfect replicas — and perfectly believable stories.

Costume (from your closet):

• Roll-sleeve shirt, vest or smock, dark jeans, messy hair.

• Add small “paint” stains or smudges for effect.

Props & Accessories:

• Paint palette, fake brushes, clipboard labeled “Reference Copy.”

• Magnifying glass, sketchpad, or rolled-up “canvas.”

How to Act:

• Compliment everyone’s “original” style.

• Talk in detail about brushstrokes and techniques.

• Get nervous when authenticity is mentioned.

Quirks:

• Says “trust me” too often.

• Keeps glancing at other artists’ work like they’re memorizing it.

• Claims to have “restored” things that never needed it.

Sayings:

“It’s not fake — it’s faithful.”
“Inspiration is just borrowing with confidence.”
“Forgery? Such an ugly word. I prefer… recreation.”

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🍎 The Art Teacher – The Encouraging Tornado

Vibe: Energetic, inspiring, and two brushstrokes away from a meltdown. The kind of person who believes every mess is a masterpiece.

Costume (from your closet):

• Apron, colorful shirt, and jeans.

• Add a splash of “paint” for realism.

• Bright scarf or glasses optional.

Props & Accessories:

• Paintbrushes, water cup, palette, clipboard labeled “Lesson Plan (Optional).”

• Stack of crumpled “student art.”

How to Act:

• Speak in bursts of inspiration.

• Clap dramatically to start conversations.

• Encourage everyone… even the suspects.

Quirks:

• Forgets what they were saying mid-sentence.

• Refers to the murder scene as “a learning moment.”

• Accidentally turns everything into a metaphor.

Sayings:

“There are no mistakes — only unexpected color choices!”
“Your motive could use more contrast.”
“You’re all doing wonderfully. Terrifyingly, but wonderfully.”

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🧥 Quick Recap – What’s Probably Already in Your Closet:

You don’t need a gallery to dress like one!
Here’s your DIY checklist for any Art World role:

• Blazer or jacket

• Black jeans or neutral pants

• Scarf or statement accessory

• Glasses (real or fake)

• Notebook or sketchpad

• Paintbrush, pen, or clipboard

• Shoes with “main character energy”

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🎭 Acting Tricks for All Art World Characters:

• Always have a dramatic pause ready.

• Treat every object like it might be priceless.

• Use your hands when you talk — the bigger, the better.

• When in doubt, say: “It’s symbolic.”

• If accused, respond calmly with: “Ah. Interpretation.”

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