Navigating the world of art collecting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) can be thrilling, especially when Jolly Redd, the sly fox art dealer, docks his Treasure Trawler at your island’s secret beach. Redd offers a tempting selection of paintings and statues, but beware! Not everything he sells is genuine. Many pieces are forgeries, cleverly disguised to fool unsuspecting buyers. This comprehensive ACNH art guide will equip you with the knowledge to distinguish real masterpieces from fake artworks, ensuring your museum’s art wing becomes a showcase of authentic treasures.
Understanding Redd’s Art in ACNH
Redd, a charismatic yet dubious character, arrives on your island in his boat, a floating gallery filled with art and furniture. Each piece of art – be it a painting or a statue – costs 4,980 Bells. The catch? Some of these artworks are fake. While real artworks can be donated to Blathers at the museum to enrich your island’s cultural offerings, fake pieces are essentially decorative items. Blathers, the museum curator, has no interest in forgeries, and you can’t even sell them at Nook’s Cranny. Discarding fake art requires using a trash can, making a wrong purchase a disappointing waste of Bells.
However, identifying real art from fake art in ACNH isn’t based on pure chance. Nintendo has cleverly incorporated visual differences between genuine and forged pieces. By carefully examining the artwork and knowing what to look for, you can confidently discern the real deal from a fake. This guide provides a detailed comparison of each artwork, highlighting the tell-tale signs of forgery.
How Many Artworks Can You Buy From Redd Daily?
During each of Redd’s visits, you are limited to purchasing only one artwork per day. Once you make a purchase, Redd will mail the artwork to you the following day. This daily limit applies to each player.
Clever players have found ways to maximize their art acquisition by creating multiple player characters on their island. Each resident, including additional player characters, can purchase one artwork from Redd per visit. Furthermore, visitors from other islands can also buy art from Redd when he’s on your island. This opens up opportunities for friends to collaborate and expand their art collections faster.
How Many Real Artworks Does Redd Offer?
The number of genuine artworks Redd sells varies each visit. He can have anywhere from zero to four real pieces available. It’s entirely possible to visit Redd and find no genuine art for sale at all. This randomness adds an element of chance to art collecting, encouraging players to visit Redd regularly.
Conversely, Redd might have multiple real artworks available, even though you can only buy one yourself. This is where the strategy of using multiple characters or inviting friends becomes particularly useful, allowing you to capitalize on visits where Redd has a generous selection of genuine pieces.
Redd Art Paintings: Real vs. Fake Guide
This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of each painting sold by Redd, detailing the differences between the real and fake versions. Use this guide to compare the artwork you see in-game with the descriptions provided here to make informed purchasing decisions.
Importantly, some paintings in ACNH do not have fake versions. For these paintings, any piece you purchase from Redd will be genuine. These always-real paintings are clearly marked in this guide and also listed in a dedicated section at the end for quick reference.
Academic Painting: Real vs Fake?
The forgery of the Academic Painting is easily identified by a prominent coffee stain in the top right corner. This stain is absent in the authentic Academic Painting.
Amazing Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Amazing Painting is missing a distinctive large black hat worn by the central figure. The real Amazing Painting clearly displays this hat.
Distinguishing the Amazing Painting: The real version includes a prominent black hat, absent in the fake.
Basic Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Basic Painting alters the hairline of the person depicted. In the forgery, the forehead is almost entirely covered by hair, whereas the authentic Basic Painting shows a more exposed forehead with less hair.
Calm Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Calm Painting is always genuine. You can purchase this painting from Redd with confidence, knowing it will always be a real artwork for your museum.
The serene beauty of the Calm Painting, always a genuine addition to your collection.
Common Painting: Real vs Fake?
Like the Calm Painting, the Common Painting is always a genuine artwork. Feel secure in purchasing this piece from Redd, as it has no fake version.
Detailed Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Detailed Painting dramatically changes the color scheme, using a purple palette instead of the authentic blue tones. The real Detailed Painting is recognizable by its distinctive blue colors.
Color is key: The real Detailed Painting features a blue color scheme, while the fake uses purple.
Dynamic Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Dynamic Painting is another artwork that is always genuine when purchased from Redd. No need to worry about forgeries with this vibrant piece.
Famous Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Famous Painting features drastically altered eyebrows on the woman. In the forgery, the eyebrows are unnaturally shaped, pointing upwards and positioned high above her eyes. The real Famous Painting depicts more natural, softly shaped eyebrows.
Eyebrow Check: The fake Famous Painting has unnatural, upward-pointing eyebrows, unlike the real version.
Flowery Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Flowery Painting is guaranteed to be genuine when bought from Redd. Add this beautiful floral piece to your collection without forgery concerns.
Glowing Painting: Real vs Fake?
You can always trust the Glowing Painting to be authentic. This radiant artwork is always a real piece when Redd offers it.
The vibrant and genuine Glowing Painting, a safe bet for art collectors.
Graceful Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Graceful Painting has two potential variations. In one forgery, the woman in the dress is significantly enlarged, almost filling the entire canvas, and lacks a white tag in her hair. The real Graceful Painting shows a smaller figure, taking up about two-thirds of the canvas, and includes a white tag in her hair.
The second type of fake Graceful Painting mirrors the woman’s image, facing her to the left instead of the right.
Jolly Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Jolly Painting is missing a small plant, described as a ‘weed’, protruding from the straw in the bottom right corner. The real Jolly Painting includes this small plant detail.
Plant Detail: Look for the small plant in the bottom right corner to identify the real Jolly Painting.
Moody Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Moody Painting is always a genuine artwork. Purchase this somber piece from Redd without concern for forgeries.
Moving Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Moving Painting omits a set of tall trees located on the far right side of the artwork. These trees are present and easily visible in the real Moving Painting.
Tree Check: The real Moving Painting includes tall trees on the right side, missing in the fake.
Mysterious Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Mysterious Painting is another guaranteed genuine artwork from Redd. Feel confident in adding this enigmatic piece to your museum.
Nice Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Nice Painting is always authentic. Purchase this pleasant artwork from Redd knowing it is a genuine piece.
The always genuine Nice Painting, a delightful addition to any art collection.
Perfect Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Perfect Painting is, indeed, always perfect – and genuine! You can buy this artwork from Redd without any risk of it being fake.
Proper Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Proper Painting is guaranteed to be a real artwork. Redd always sells the authentic version of this dignified piece.
The dignified Proper Painting, always a genuine find from Redd.
Quaint Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Quaint Painting depicts significantly more water pouring from the container into the pot on the table. The real Quaint Painting shows very little or almost no water pouring from the container.
Scary Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Scary Painting has two possible variations, both identifiable by the eyebrows. In one forgery, the man’s eyebrows are reversed, pointing inwards towards the center of his forehead. The real Scary Painting shows more naturally shaped eyebrows.
Another fake version retains the same inward-pointing eyebrows but changes the man’s expression to a smile instead of a frown.
Eyebrow and Expression Check: Fake Scary Paintings feature reversed eyebrows and may show a smile instead of a frown.
Scenic Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Scenic Painting is missing a second man and additional animals in the snowy foreground. The real Scenic Painting includes more figures, depicting a richer scene with more people and animals.
Serene Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Serene Painting shows a discolored animal, with varying dark grey shades, held in the woman’s hands. The real Serene Painting features an animal with consistently white fur.
Animal Color Check: The fake Serene Painting has a greyish animal, while the real one is distinctly white.
Sinking Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Sinking Painting is always a genuine artwork offered by Redd. You can safely purchase this evocative piece for your museum.
Solemn Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Solemn Painting alters the position of the man’s arm visible in the doorway at the back of the painting. In the forgery, his arm is pointing outwards, while in the real Solemn Painting, his arm is touching the wall.
Arm Position Check: The real Solemn Painting shows the man’s arm touching the wall, not pointing outwards.
Twinkling Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Twinkling Painting is another artwork that is always guaranteed to be genuine when sold by Redd. Collect this shimmering piece without fear of forgery.
Warm Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Warm Painting is always a real artwork. You can confidently purchase this vibrant piece from Redd for your museum.
The radiant Warm Painting, always a genuine treasure from Redd.
Wild Painting Left Half: Real vs Fake?
The fake Wild Painting Left Half changes the color of the depicted creature to green. The real Wild Painting Left Half shows the creature in white.
Wild Painting Right Half: Real vs Fake?
The fake Wild Painting Right Half reverses the creature color, making it white instead of the authentic green. The real Wild Painting Right Half features a green creature.
Creature Color Switch: The Wild Painting Right Half forgeries reverse the creature’s colors.
Wistful Painting: Real vs Fake?
The fake Wistful Painting alters the shape of the woman’s earring to a star. The real Wistful Painting shows a ball or circle-shaped earring.
There is also a second fake version where the woman’s eyes are closed.
Worthy Painting: Real vs Fake?
The Worthy Painting is always a genuine artwork. Add this impressive landscape to your museum collection, confident in its authenticity.
The grand Worthy Painting, always a genuine masterpiece from Redd.
Redd Art Statues: Real vs Fake Guide
This section guides you through identifying real and fake statues sold by Redd in ACNH. Similar to paintings, each statue entry details the differences to help you make informed choices.
Like paintings, some statues are always genuine. These statues have no fake versions and are safe purchases from Redd. These always-real statues are highlighted in this guide and listed at the end for easy reference.
Ancient Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Ancient Statue is distinguished by two antennas on the top of the statue’s head. These antennas are absent in the real Ancient Statue.
Beautiful Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Beautiful Statue includes an extra decorative necklace around the woman’s shoulders, below her neck. This necklace is missing from the real Beautiful Statue.
Necklace Check: The fake Beautiful Statue has an added necklace, absent in the real version.
Familiar Statue: Real vs Fake?
The Familiar Statue is always a genuine artwork. You can confidently purchase this comforting statue from Redd, knowing it will always be real.
Gallant Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Gallant Statue carries an additional book near the arm on its left side. This extra book is not present in the real Gallant Statue.
Real Gallant Statue
The noble and genuine Gallant Statue, a prized addition to any museum.
Fake Gallant Statue
Great Statue: Real vs Fake?
The Great Statue is always a genuine masterpiece. Purchase this imposing statue from Redd without any concern about forgeries.
Real Great Statue
The magnificent Great Statue, always a guaranteed real artwork.
Informative Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Informative Statue is easily identified by its incorrect blue color. The real Informative Statue is black. This color difference is the most obvious sign of forgery.
Real Informative Statue
Fake Informative Statue
Motherly Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Motherly Statue has a visible tongue sticking out of the wolf’s mouth. The real Motherly Statue depicts the wolf with a closed mouth, without a visible tongue.
Real Motherly Statue
Fake Motherly Statue
Mystic Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Mystic Statue features a large earring hanging from the woman’s ear. The real Mystic Statue has no earring.
Real Mystic Statue
Fake Mystic Statue
Robust Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Robust Statue has a watch on the man’s wrist, on his raised arm. The real Robust Statue has no watch.
Real Robust Statue
Fake Robust Statue
Watch Out: The fake Robust Statue has a wristwatch, not present on the real statue.
Rock-Head Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Rock-Head Statue displays a smiling mouth at the bottom of the rock. The real Rock-Head Statue has a neutral or straight mouth.
Real Rock-Head Statue
Fake Rock-Head Statue
Tremendous Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Tremendous Statue includes a lid covering the container. The real Tremendous Statue has no lid, leaving the container completely open.
Real Tremendous Statue
Fake Tremendous Statue
Lid or No Lid: The fake Tremendous Statue has a lid, while the real one is open.
Valiant Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Valiant Statue mirrors the subject’s legs, with the left leg stepping forward. In the real Valiant Statue, the right leg is stepping forward. Pay close attention to leg orientation.
Real Valiant Statue
Fake Valiant Statue
Leg Position Matters: The fake Valiant Statue has the left leg forward, the real one has the right leg forward.
Warrior Statue: Real vs Fake?
The fake Warrior Statue has an added shovel in front of it, which the figure leans on. The real Warrior Statue has no shovel.
Real Warrior Statue
Fake Warrior Statue
Shovel Spot: The fake Warrior Statue includes a shovel, absent in the real version.
Always Legitimate Jolly Redd Paintings & Statues
For worry-free art collecting, focus on these paintings and statues, which are always genuine when sold by Redd:
Always Real Paintings:
- Calm Painting
- Common Painting
- Dynamic Painting
- Flowery Painting
- Glowing Painting
- Moody Painting
- Mysterious Painting
- Nice Painting
- Perfect Painting
- Proper Painting
- Sinking Painting
- Twinkling Painting
- Warm Painting
- Worthy Painting
Always Real Statues:
- Familiar Statue
- Great Statue
How To Unlock & Find Redd
To unlock Redd and his Treasure Trawler, you first need to have Blathers mention the possibility of expanding the museum to include an art gallery. This conversation can occur after you have donated at least 60 unique bugs, fish, or fossils to the museum.
Once Blathers has hinted at the art exhibit, Redd will appear on your island the next day. He will be roaming around your island, and upon meeting him, he’ll sell you a piece of artwork for 4,980 Bells. This first piece is always guaranteed to be genuine. Be sure to donate this artwork to Blathers immediately to initiate the museum expansion process.
After the museum art wing is constructed, Redd will become a recurring special visitor to your island, similar to Saharah, Gulliver, and other traveling NPCs. On subsequent visits, Redd’s Treasure Trawler will be docked at your island’s north secret beach. Enter his boat to browse his rotating selection of paintings, statues, and furniture, which may include both real and fake artworks.
Redd and art were introduced in the Version 1.2 Update of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released on April 23rd, 2020.
When & How Often Does Redd Appear?
Jolly Redd can visit your island’s secret north beach in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on weekdays, Monday through Friday, starting from 5 AM.
Redd’s appearances are part of a weekly rotation of special visitors. Each week, five random special characters are selected from the pool of weekday visitors, which includes Redd, Gulliver, Saharah, Leif, Kicks, Flick, and others.
If Redd is not among the five selected visitors in a given week, he is guaranteed to appear the following week. This ensures that you will encounter Redd at least once every two weeks, if not more frequently.
While Redd’s initial appearance rate felt infrequent to many players, appearing only once every two or three weeks, updates, particularly the Version 1.3 Summer Update, have made his visits more common. Previously, Kicks, Saharah, and Leif were guaranteed weekly visitors, reducing the chances for Redd to appear. Now, the system is more balanced, allowing for more frequent visits from Redd and other special characters.
Become an ACNH Art Expert
With this ACNH art guide, you’re now equipped to confidently navigate Redd’s Treasure Trawler and build a stunning, authentic art collection in your Animal Crossing: New Horizons museum. Happy art hunting!
