For the majority of levels (A5-A7, B4-B8, C1-C8) there are only 5 distinct paint spawn configurations. By observing where paint spawns in the first few of these levels, you can fully predict the location of paint in every other level.

Here is a table of all the spawn configurations:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J1SgguIj77SL7OrTljQ6dRsVH4Fy2wkvOgCT1l7GfkY/edit?usp=sharing

Each column (0-4) is a specific spawn configuration. Each number in the table is an index representing a specific spawn and includes a link to a picture of its location.

An example of how to use this table for All Sigils:

1. In A7, observe in which location paint spawns. If paint spawns in location 4 () you have paint configuration 0. The images in column 0 will show you where paint will spawn for the rest of the run. If paint spawns in location 1 () proceed to step 2.
2. In B4, observe in which location paint spawns. Look at row B4 and find the corresponding column containing your spawn location (ignoring column 0). This column is your paint configuration. The images in this column will show you where paint will spawn for the rest of the run.

There are some interesting consequences to these limited configurations:

1. In some levels, paint has a large bias towards spawning in one particular location. For example, there is a 87.5% chance that paint will spawn in location 4 () in level A7.
2. Some levels have as few as 2 possible paint locations. For example, level A7 has only 2 possible locations ( and )
3. There is no possibility of ever getting “perfect paint” by our current definition. For instance, getting good paint in A5 and A6 means you are guaranteed bad paint in B4.

Hopefully we can use this information to improve our routing and perhaps incorporate some new paint strats into our runs. Also, if there is interest, I will try to post a more detailed explanation of why the above method works.

I've coded this up into a nice little webpage, and added some analysis on the code. http://darkid.webs.com/talos/index.html

Here is a quick video demonstrating the method in-game:

@darkid, sorry if im misunderstanding, but shouldn't it be:

If you get the second-BEST spawn in B4 (but don't have the ALTERNATE spawn in A7), you have spawn set 4. and If you get the second-WORST spawn in B4 then you have set 2.

A great resource nonetheless!

Correct, Kittaye. The description on darkid's site is inaccurate in a couple instances, but the pictures are completely reliable. Great resource indeed - worst paint isn't as bad if you know you have to get it beforehand (think places like C Star, where you would otherwise check ledge near spawn, top of the architecture thingy and in the best paint spot before finally crying your way to the entrance of unreachable garden to pick up the paint and bring it across the whole level).

Language is not my forté, if you'd like to provide a better description (or even just some typos/corrections) I'll make changes.

Hmm, i think that dot list of which spawn set you get is a pretty handy overview for new runners unfamiliar with the worlds, so if possible just updating the requirements for spawn set 2 and 4 to what i suggested would be fine. Everything else seems to be great!