To "paint" in Assassin's Creed Shadows, you must sneak up on wildlife indicated by a paintbrush icon on the compass, then observe them to trigger a painting cutscene and earn a reward

❗I recommend using ONLY Naoe for sneaking ❗

The Legendary Wise Macaques is a Legendary Sumi-e found at Sarumaru Shrine. This is in the Little Leaf Glade sub-region in the southeastern corner of Yamashiro, east-northeast of the Uji Tawara town on the north hills of the river.

Location: Yamashiro - Little Leaf Glade - Sarumaru Shrine
Time found: Night-time, all Seasons
Rewards: 500 XP, Wall Decoration - Legendary Macaque Sumi-e

Like all Legendary Sumi-e, this is only present at night, but can be found during all seasons. When you arrive, follow the stone steps to the back of the shrine and up the hill along the path. At the end of the path, you'll find three monkeys sitting in front of a Buddha statue, which will need painting!

This lengthily-titled Sumi-e can be found in Lake Suigetsu, a subregion on the northern coast of the Wakasa province. It's southeast of Amiko Estate, northeast of a Horse Archery activity, and west of Hiruga Bay.

Location: Wakasa - Lake Suigetsu
Time Found: Daytime, Winter
Rewards: 500 XP, Wall Decoration - Legendary Grey Heron Sumi-e

The Red Crane will only appear during Winter in the daytime, so plan accordingly!
As you reach the Red Crane's location, you will find a ruined and abandoned village in the middle of an open clearing. Here, you'll find the Red-Crowned Crane strutting about and putting on a dramatic display with its wings.

The Legendary Shika Deer is found in Sakura Meadow, a forested area in Yashina, the southern sub-region of the Yamato province. This area is east-southeast of the Mountain Blossom Pagoda Viewpoint near the river, northwest of the hostile Hitsugatake Cache, and southeast of the River Camp island.

Location: Yamato - Yoshino - Sakura Meadow
Time Found: Night-time, Spring
Rewards: 500 XP, Wall Decoration - Legendary Deer Sumi-e
Notably, the Shika Deer with Sakura will ONLY appear at night during Spring. This makes sense as sakura trees famously bloom with pink leaves in springtime, giving this area a striking appearance

Winding through the Sakura Meadow is a path that leads to the Mountain Blossom Pagoda Viewpoint. The Shika Deer with Sakura will be at the highest point of this path on the eastern side. Keep an eye out for the Sumi-e painting on the compass at the top of the screen, as this will appear when you're within 80 meters of it.

The Legendary Fox Sumi-e is one that can be found at the Kamimisu Inari Shrine in Nakahechi Route, the southern subregion of the Kii province. It will have the Kamimisu Heights Viewpoint, which is a touch northwest of it.

Location: Kii - Nakahechi Route - Kamimisu Inari Shrine
Time Found: Night-time, Autumn
Rewards: 500 XP, Wall Decoration - Legendary Silver Fox Sumi-e
The Legendary Fox can only be encountered during Autumn at night, so ensure it is so when you visit!

You'll know you've arrived at the right time as the fox statues flanking the shrine's stairs will be lit with blue fire, and you'll hear the distant calls of a fox. Follow the stairs to the edge of the cliff to see the Silver Fox: approach slowly while crouched to get close enough to paint it!

The Legendary White Tanuki is located in Shigaraki Hamlet in The Shimmering Fields, the southeastern subregion in the Omi province. The hamlet is east of Seta Bridge, and southwest of the town of Koga.

Location: Omi - The Shimmering Fields - Shigaraki Hamlet
Time Found: Daytime, Summer
Rewards: 500 XP, Wall Decoration - Legendary Tanuki Sumi-e
The Legendary White Tanuki can only be encountered in Summer and during the daytime, so keep this in mind!

Enter Shigaraki Hamlet and take the road winding northeast into a nearby meadow. As always, crouch and approach slowly so that you can get a good painting of it!

I completed this challenge later when I was in endgame and it’s very time-consuming because of the seasons. I would recommend hunting the legendary animals while you’re exploring.

🌞 Day and Night Cycle

Duration: Each in-game day lasts approximately 48 minutes in real time.
Day Phase: Around 24 minutes.
Night Phase: Also about 24 minutes.
Transition: The game transitions between day and night naturally as you play.

🍂 Seasonal Cycle
Spring, Summer, Autumn: Each lasts approximately 140 minutes in real time.
Winter: Lasts about 180 minutes in real time.

Step 1: Build the study in your hideout
Go to your hideout and find the option to build a study.


Step 2: Hang the painting
Access the "customize" menu and select "station set two" to gain the ability to hang artwork.
Go to the wall station where you can see all your collected Sumi-e paintings.
Select the painting you want to hang to display.