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How to Turn any Photo into a Watercolor (no art skills required)!

February 7, 2014  My Projects | Uncategorized

See how easy it is to turn any photo into a watercolor! Absolutely no art skills are needed and it takes only seconds to completely transform the look of your photographs.

UPDATE: Don’t miss my latest post – How to Turn any Photo into an Oil Painting HERE.

How to turn any photo into a watercolor - no art skills required! kellyelko.com

I’m obsessed.

I took watercolor in art class and my works of “art” always turned into a runny mess.

Now I can give Georgia O’Keeffe a run for her watercolor making money.

From this before photo …

Vintage glider kellyelko.com

to this watercolor art …

Waterlogue - how to turn any photo into a watercolor kellyelko.com

How to Turn any Photo into a Watercolor

1) Download the Waterlogue app (it’s only available for iPhone)

2) Go into Waterlogue app and upload a photo from your camera

Note:  If your photo isn’t on your phone, you can email a photo to yourself and then take a screenshot by pressing the home and sleep button at the same time.  If you take a screenshot, your photo will probably need to be cropped after you create your Waterlogue photo – use a free online editing site like PicMonkey for that.

3) Choose the setting you want (you can experiment to see which effect you love most)

4) Click the heart icon to share or email the photo to yourself where you can print it out on any paper (watercolor paper would be fun)!  You can even enlarge it – how fun would a giant poster be?

From this photo …

100 Year old home renovation! kellyelko.com

to this beautiful watercolor …

Waterlogue - how to turn any photo into a beautiful watercolor kellyelko.com

Let’s paint the town with Waterlogue!

Waterlogue - turn any photo into a watercolor kellyelko.com

If you like this, you’ll love my latest discovery …

How to Turn any Photo into an Oil Painting here.

How to Turn any Photo into an Oil Painting kellyelko.com #art #artist #photography #tipsandtricks #apps #painting

What do you think of these quick and easy ways to jazz up your photos? I think it would be fun to create a gallery wall of “painted” family portraits or vacation memories.

Enjoy playing around with the different ways to make your photos really pop!

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Comments

  1. Jess

    February 7, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    That’s cool!

    Reply
    • DARLENE

      May 18, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      DarnI wish I had a IPHONE . I am going to try and research this issue I’ post anything I find out wish me luck

      Reply
  2. Martha

    February 7, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    Wow! Now that’s cool! Thanks for sharing…I have several great shots that are perfect for this app! 🙂

    Reply
  3. [email protected] this top that

    February 7, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    i guess watercolor will probably replace the chalkboard fad now. love this. you should order the print of your house in watercolor.

    Reply
  4. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way

    February 7, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I love Waterlouge! It’s so addicting!

    Reply
  5. Cecilia

    February 7, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    That looks like fun!

    Reply
  6. Susie of homemaker-mom.com

    February 7, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    Ok this is just totally awesome!!!!!!! Thank you for telling us of it!

    Reply
  7. Jane S.

    February 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    I know I’m ridiculously behind the times but I don’t even have a cell phone! I love this watercolor app but not enough to give in and get one. Wish it was available on a laptop. 🙂

    Reply
    • rita

      May 26, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      Well ”no art skills required” but you need a lot of teck skills. Too many for me! I thought you just took a picture & turned it into a watercolor! Too bad.

      Reply
      • Kelly Elko

        May 27, 2017 at 10:37 am

        That’s exactly what this app does – turns a photo into a watercolor with the click of a button.

        Reply
    • Stephanie

      March 23, 2019 at 8:04 pm

      Hello Jane – I have the same problem and found a program called FotoSketcher. You upload a picture and play with varying techniques from watercolour, oils, sketches and stuff in between. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Kelly Elko

        March 27, 2019 at 2:55 pm

        Thanks for the tip Stephanie!

        Reply
  8. [email protected]

    February 7, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    LOve that app

    Reply
  9. Cindy @ finding-beauty.com

    February 7, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    That is so cool! I can’t wait to see what I can do with it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Jen Y

    February 7, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    This is beautiful! Do you know if you can do this without a cell phone – maybe on a home computer? I don’t own a cell.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 7, 2014 at 9:23 pm

      Hi Jen – this app is only available on the iPhone or iPad – maybe they will make it available for other devices soon.
      Kelly

      Reply
      • Carrie

        February 15, 2015 at 11:58 pm

        Would that include an ipod then?

        Reply
        • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

          February 16, 2015 at 8:53 pm

          Yes – you can downlown Waterlogue on your ipod!

          Reply
    • Tina Buch

      March 16, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      Yes. Photoshop does this and has nearly a hundred filters to use. I’ve been teaching both digital and traditional fine and commercial art for 30 years. And it’s amazing the tools available now. Check out fractal painter too it’s got a quick anamation option. The filters in photoshop can also be combined for very interesting textures. I taught a 100 step channel procedure to create pewter. That was way back Photoshop 2.0. And then when layers were introduced so so much more to create images etc. Good Luck

      Reply
  11. Deb

    February 7, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Wow Kelly!
    I love this app!! I’m going to have so much fun with it
    Thank you

    Reply
  12. Beth Beal

    February 7, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    This is such a great share! I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks

    Reply
  13. Pat schwab

    February 8, 2014 at 12:12 am

    Kelly, thanks for the info, I pinned this. It is amazing how cool this looks. Pat

    Reply
  14. MK

    February 9, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Love it! I don’t have an i phone so I will need to try the Paint.net or wait until this is available on computers. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Lin

      February 22, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      MK I don’t have an I Phone either. I sure hope they have it soon for pcs. It is so pretty. We can wait it out together.

      Reply
  15. Suzanne

    February 9, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Thanks! cant wait to play watercolor!

    Reply
  16. LiVawne

    February 11, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    You can do this also in Corel Draw if you don’t have an iphone. Another use is to print it out on transfer paper and heat press on a shirt or a house on a pillow would be cool.

    Reply
    • myriam vanroose

      January 12, 2018 at 2:42 am

      how do you do it?I have illustrator, is it also possibile?

      Reply
  17. Kari the Sweetest Memory

    February 18, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    How fun! Thanks for sharing. Kari

    Reply
  18. Jena

    February 18, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Waterlogued will also take photos from dropbox, so you can load pictures from your computer to your dropbox. Then you can save the pictures on your phone via dropbox so you can upload them to a photo printing website (kinda long process, but gets real pics to prints!)

    Reply
  19. Dawn @ We Call It Junkin

    February 18, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Thank you so much for passing this on. I see a custom header in my future with this possibly… Take care – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
    History & Home link party, Tue-Fri, weekly, join us!

    Reply
  20. bev

    February 28, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Loving this app……thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  21. Carole

    March 8, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    Perhaps someone has already said as much, but the watercolor effect can be done in any photo altering software, PS for instance. It’s a fun effect to use once in a while.

    Reply
  22. Amanda

    March 17, 2014 at 8:44 am

    Since Facebook is notorious for not letting page owners know when I tag them, I thought I would stop by myself and let you know I featured this post and my readers loved it! https://www.facebook.com/CraftsbyAmanda/photos/a.353593675216.349539.323548680216/10153917291150217/?type=1&stream_ref=10

    Reply
  23. Becky

    March 18, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    I downloaded this app about a week ago and I cannot wait to print some of the watercolors I “created” and frame and hang up on the wall! Each photo turned out so unique! Love this app!

    Reply
  24. lindsay

    March 24, 2014 at 7:36 am

    Love this idea. Featured you on my blog today!

    Reply
  25. Kathy Lafferty

    March 30, 2014 at 1:58 am

    sooooooooooooooo disappointed, I don’t have an iphone, and I can’t download this to my computer? I’d do that in a heartbeat if I could. I don’t have a Mac, either, just an old XP
    boohoooooooooooooooooo

    Reply
  26. SueB of Blondin Blogs

    May 3, 2014 at 11:26 am

    Thanx for the inspiration; I just downloaded it!

    Reply
  27. Mandy

    May 30, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    My printer won’t let me print on the watercolor paper – I’m guessing because it’s so thick? Anyone else have this problem? I called kinkos to see if they could print it for me and they said no. I’m stuck!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      May 30, 2014 at 9:26 pm

      I don’t think regular printers will work with the thick watercolor paper – you may need to google printers for this purpose – or try to find an online source that can print on the thick paper. Good luck Mandy!

      Reply
      • vicki west

        August 30, 2014 at 4:05 pm

        I can’t use this app, either, but could textured cardstock work in your printers? It seens to me that watercolor paper comes in various thicknesses. Check out watercolor tablets or better quality artist papers.

        Reply
        • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

          August 30, 2014 at 4:07 pm

          Great idea – and since heavier card stock works in printers – watercolor paper might too

          Reply
  28. Bluwatergal

    June 20, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Oh I love this ~ thank you! I’ve been playing around with it on my iPad and love the results. Can’t wait to print a few out. Such a great way to use travel photos as art in different spots!

    Reply
  29. meggiecat

    November 22, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I didn’t even know how much I needed this. Thank you. I’m actually moved to pay for an app and what a deal!

    Reply
  30. Kaaren

    January 21, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    FYI The pictures look really good on regular computer paper. Can always make a copy on a heavier paper;
    Also, there are very similar APPS for smart phones other than Apple products. Search Photo in the app store. This is my favorite but I have both apple (ipad) and another brand smart phone.

    Reply
  31. Wendy Dewar Hughes

    May 16, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    I am a watercolour artist and have to say, this is a great app. My style is slightly different that the choices but the look is very effective. Thanks for sharing. I might never have come across this.

    Reply
  32. Dianne

    August 16, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    I have been able to print directly from my iphone to a wireless printer. I am still working on higher quality paper. I have some heavy “resume” linen stock paper and I’m going to give that one a try. Really fun app with excellent personal product. I like my pets and kids in watercolour.

    Reply
  33. Kim

    April 6, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Your watercolors are beautiful! I love this app. After my parents passed away we sold the home they had lived in for over 45 years. I took some pictures and used this app to make some really pretty watercolors for my siblings and all the grandchildren.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 7, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      What a great idea Kim – and I’m sorry for your loss.

      Reply
  34. Olivia

    June 7, 2016 at 12:35 am

    Hello , i downloaded the app the price is$3.99 ( not $2.99)

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      June 7, 2016 at 8:56 am

      I wrote this post awhile ago – looks like the price increased – enjoy the app!

      Reply
  35. Emily

    July 22, 2016 at 9:20 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  36. carol

    August 10, 2016 at 10:06 am

    Technology is replacing everything in our lives that’s real and has worth. I’m an artist , and I believe in the”real” thing.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      August 13, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      Lucky you to have such artistic abilities – this is perfect for those that don’t! Happy day

      Reply
  37. Patty Green

    October 4, 2016 at 9:09 am

    THANK YOU!!! I’ve seen this done before but had no idea what the app was!

    Reply
  38. Laura

    October 4, 2016 at 10:05 am

    Wow, that’s super cool. I’m going to try it, also great gifts.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 5, 2016 at 8:31 am

      Yes, a framed photo would be the perfect gift!

      Reply
  39. Margaret

    December 22, 2016 at 4:18 am

    Oh..please make this available to Androids as well !!

    Reply
  40. Kate Mills

    January 21, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Cannot wait to use this app! Kate

    Reply
  41. Yvonne Schultz

    July 4, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    Will this be available for droid phones any time soon?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      July 5, 2017 at 8:27 am

      I don’t know Yvonne

      Reply
  42. Hazel

    July 16, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    What if I don’t have anything iPhone

    Reply
  43. Gloria

    January 9, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    Well, this is a disappointment! I actually paint watercolor, but not the best. No Iphone, etc. Looks like cheating to me!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 21, 2018 at 9:17 am

      There is nothing like an original painting but this is a great option for people who don’t have that skill.

      Reply
    • Jack

      August 16, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      I do watercolors as well. It’s great on some pictures but not all. I like it.

      Reply
  44. Donna

    March 13, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    I saw waterlogue a year or so ago.
    It’s way cool!! Too bad they don’t make the app for my Note 8.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      March 14, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      That stinks – it’s such a fun app!

      Reply
  45. Fernando

    March 28, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    Es curioso que sólo pueda disfrutarse con un IPhone. A los que no tenemos esas “máquinas”…que nos den “morcillas”!!! Gracias!!

    Reply
  46. technology blogs

    April 13, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    That doesn’t mean there aren’t downsides, though.
    I think you have a really good viewpoint however and I like the angl you came
    from oon this.

    Reply
  47. Jill

    May 9, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    Is this app still available? Is there a way this technique can be used with a digital camera and a laptop? I don’t have an I Phone, just a simple flip phone. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I do original water colors but the ability to turn personal photos into WC look-a-likes would be handy.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      May 10, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      Not that I know of Jill.

      Reply
  48. Carole

    July 3, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Why dont you have a watercolor app for Android phones?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      July 3, 2018 at 2:29 pm

      I wish they made one!

      Reply
  49. Jack

    August 16, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    I bought this and it’s fun! Some come out amazing, others not so great. I am pleased.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      August 18, 2018 at 4:14 pm

      Agree!

      Reply
  50. Linda

    August 22, 2018 at 8:49 am

    Omg I love this app! Thanks for sharing. Now if I could figure out how to print them on cards, it would be the best!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      August 26, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Glad you like it! Download the pics and then use a service like Shutterfly to print them on cards!

      Reply
  51. Barbara Roth

    November 8, 2018 at 8:27 am

    As a watercolor artist who has spent a lifetime learning my craft seeing the photos you changed on Waterlogue depresses me. I love the results but hate the means.
    What do advise me?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      November 13, 2018 at 11:09 am

      Nothing can replace an original piece of art!

      Reply
  52. Merrilyn

    December 27, 2018 at 1:10 am

    Thanks, this is awesome

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 28, 2018 at 4:03 pm

      My pleasure Merrilyn! Enjoy the app!

      Reply
  53. Kim

    March 22, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Thank you for sharing this…love this app!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      March 27, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      Enjoy it!

      Reply
  54. Chelsea

    April 11, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    Wah! I have an android phone… I wonder if there’s something similar?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      April 13, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      I am not sure Chelsea

      Reply
  55. Linda R Varone

    June 5, 2019 at 11:08 am

    Waterlogue is now available for Mac iOS, and iPad. Go to your Apple App Store to learn more.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      June 5, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Thanks for the info!

      Reply
  56. Jill Jones

    July 9, 2019 at 7:04 pm

    Had heard this watercolor app was no longer available. Is there anything similar that can be done on a laptop? I do watercolors but this is such a neat look and would be great thing to do for a quick project or multiples from one’s own photos. If you have any info would love to hear.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      July 14, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      Sorry Jill but I don’t know

      Reply
  57. Janet Fairbanks

    January 11, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    Hi, Can you print it on printer paper then try to paint it on watercolor paper free hand or using a grid?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 11, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      No idea Janet – this is an app that actually changes your photo into a watercolor so you don’t have to paint it

      Reply
  58. Kelley

    May 23, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Can’t wait to try the watercolor app.. wish me luck. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      May 23, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      Good Luck Kelley!

      Reply
  59. Elizabeth Hart

    December 12, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    You didn’t mention it costs I believe $4.99

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 14, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      The price went up! I think it was $1.99 when I wrote this post.

      Reply
  60. Magaret Yeates

    January 31, 2021 at 4:13 am

    Love this app. Made several birthday and xmas presents using it. So creative.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 31, 2021 at 11:44 am

      It’s the best Margaret!

      Reply
  61. Terry

    October 9, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    Are there people that I can pay to do this for me

    Reply
  62. Lois L. Glenn

    January 16, 2023 at 8:33 pm

    So, the only way to learn is if you have an iphone for this specific app?
    Lois Glenn

    Reply
  63. Gerri Butler

    January 27, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    Im disappointed that this process can only be done with an iphone.

    Reply
  64. Nanette

    February 13, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    Wow! Gonna give it a try! Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Gorgeous Black and White Living Room Decor says:
    August 28, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    […] are better left undiscovered!  That didn’t stop me from turning a watercolor of my house (see how easy it is to turn any photo into a watercolor- no at skills required) into a Shutterfly acrylic block.  I love the way it glows in the […]

    Reply
  2. Top DIY Projects 2014 says:
    December 31, 2014 at 11:28 am

    […] For those of use with questionable art skills, here’s a way to turn any photo into a gorgeous watercolor. […]

    Reply
  3. a collection of creative & cool iphone photo apps | creative gift ideas & news at catching fireflies says:
    August 30, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    […] Put down the paintbrush and pick up your phone…Waterlogue will turn any image into a watercolor painting.Kelly from Eclectically Vintage will show you how to use it step by step here. […]

    Reply
  4. How to Turn Any Photo into an Oil Painting - Kelly Elko says:
    September 21, 2019 at 5:55 am

    […] ago, I wrote a post on how to turn any photo into a watercolor so I’m excited about this cool site that takes simple photo editing to the next […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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