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Jones Design Co.

creative inspiration for joyful living

a simple way to turn photos into watercolor paintings

40 Comments

While I’m far from great at it, watercolor is my favorite paint to play with (as seen in the summer, fall & winter essentials free prints). You want to know what’s even more fun than actually painting? Letting an app do it for you. Especially this new one called Waterlogue.

waterlogue-print

waterlogue-logo

If you hang out on instagram, you’ve undoubtedly seen a watercolored photo or two go by in your feed. Every time, I stop and stare at how pretty and realistic they look! The idea to turn a photo into a watercolor painting is not new, but they way this app applies the filter and gives each painting the look of a real sketched drawing is what makes it most charming.

I spent way too long the other night running photos through the app just to see how they would turn out. Some were okay, others were amazing. Most of all, it’s just so entertaining to sit and watch the app do it’s thing.

waterlogue-turn-photo-into-painting

waterlogue-progression-1

waterlogue-progression-2

Besides being fun to play with and presenting pretty results, you can save or share the files directly from the app. I pulled this photo into photoshop to resize and printed on watercolor paper from my home printer. It turned out beautifully and from a short distance it actually looks authentic.

watercolor-painting-by-waterlogue

Should you need a little distraction, or if you want very inexpensive DIY artwork for your home, this is the app for you.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi. I love this app. But when I go to print the picture it is really pixelated. (spelling?? LOL ) Is there something special you do so it doesn’t turn out that way.

    Reply

  2. Hi. I found you on Pinterest through you’re Waterlouge prints. Like everyone else, I just purchased it! My question is, you said you printed yours on watercolor paper using your canon ink jet printer, how did you get your picture to your printer? My app is on my iPad air. Hopefully this question makes sense! Thank you.

    Reply

  5. Hello,
    I like watercolor, I do and I love the patterns that water makes it possible … I find this extra application! she’s great!
    Emily, I posted a picture of your blog and your dough recipe on my blog, translated into French for the readers of my blog! Thank you for all these shares, which become ours! Even further, you can share and for that alone, blogger is super cool! Good evening to you and your family
    A French blogger: http://marie-maguelone.blogs.marieclaireidees.com/

    Reply

  6. Hello,
    I like watercolor, I do and I love the patterns that water makes it possible … I find this extra application! she’s great!
    Emily, I posted a picture of your blog and your dough recipe on my blog, translated into French for the readers of my blog! Thank you to all those shares, ui become ours! Even further, you can share and for that alone, blogger is super cool! Good evening to you and your family
    A French blogger : http://marie-maguelone.blogs.marieclaireidees.com/

    Reply

  9. Hi Emily! Thanks for the great tip! I can’t wait to download the app and try it out for myself. But even more important, where on earth did you get your adorable anchor sweater. I love it! Thanks! Sherri

    Reply

  10. I just discovered this app last night and did the same thing; spent a long time running some of my favorite photos through it. Thanks for the tip of printing it out. I wouldn’t have thought of that they would have just lived on my phone and instagram.
    I <3 waterlogue!!

    Reply

  11. HI Emily! I posted about this app today, too! It’s definitely addicting. I have one of mine set right now as the wallpaper on my phone, and it makes me smile every time I pull out my phone. Have a great night!

    Reply

  12. This is a cool app! We had fun taking our pictures and watching them transform. I had a great photo of a snowy mountain and clear blue sky that now looks like a piece of art. Thanks!

    Reply

  16. Love this app! Totally made my morning, and like you- I shall print out on watercolor paper too!
    Thank you for sharing your finds!

    Reply

  21. Hi Emily. I have to try this. I downloaded a different one, called Glaze. It’s pretty good as well. Some options do a little too much artistic work though. I only like one of the options. I have to try this one.

    Thanks,

    Linda

    Reply

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