Unleash Your Creativity: Top Digital Watercolor Tools

  1. 1️⃣ Download and Install Picture to Painting Converter.
  2. 2️⃣ Load Your Photo.
  3. 3️⃣ Choose Painting Style.
  4. 4️⃣ Adjust Painting Effect (if desired).
  5. 5️⃣ Generate Watercolor Painting.
  6. 6️⃣ Save Your Artwork.
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Eugene - CEO at SoftOrbits, Candidate of Technical Sciences, has more than 16 years of expertise in software development and testing.. Developed by a team of specialists, including engineer Julia, PhD candidate Paul. 170+ hours of work went into this page.
📅 Last updated on:  2024-11-15

Many photographers struggle to capture the ethereal quality of a scene in traditional photographs. This software offers a solution by converting digital photos into watercolor paintings.

Picture to Painting Converter

Choose the Settings..

Picture to Painting Converter transforms your photos into stunning artistic masterpieces with a variety of styles and effects.
Good for beginners.

How to use it

Download and Install digital art software

Download and Install the Software..

Select Your Photo

Once you have launched the software, you can select the photo you want to convert into a watercolor painting. You can choose your image by clicking the Open button or by dragging and dropping your photo into the software.

Select Your Photo..

Choose the Settings

The next step is to choose the presets settings you want to use for the conversion. You can preview your settings in real time as you adjust them.

Choose the Settings presets..

Convert Your Photo

When satisfied with your settings, click the Convert button to start the conversion process.

Convert Your Photo..

Save Your Painting

You can save your painting once the conversion is complete by clicking the Save button.

Save Your Painting..

Enjoy Your Painting

Congratulations, you have successfully turned your photo into a watercolor painting using the Picture to Painting Converter!

Save Your Painting..

Picture to Painting Converter Picture to Painting Converter

Picture To Painting Converter is a software tool, aimed at transforming ordinary pictures into oil paintings in a couple of clicks, using automatic presets.

 Download for Free

Video Tutorials

Choosing the Right Tool for Watercolor Art: Free Software vs Paid Programs

While there are many software options for creating true watercolor, free picture-to-painting converters offer a quick and easy entry point.
👍 Strengths:
  • Quick and Easy to Use: The software offers an intuitive interface and a range of features, but it may not be suitable for users who require advanced customization options.
  • Free to Try: Experiment with different effects without any initial investment.
  • Great for Beginners: A fun way to get started with digital art and explore the artistic possibilities.

🤔 However, there are some limitations to consider:

  • Limited Control: You have little to no control over the final art style or brushstrokes.
  • Lower Quality Results: Free converters may produce results with less detail and a more generic watercolor look compared to dedicated software.
  • Limited Customization: Fewer options to adjust colors, textures, and other artistic elements.
🌟 It is suitable Choice for:
  • Trying out digital art for the first time
  • Getting quick watercolor drawings for reference or inspiration
  • Creating simple watercolor versions of photos for social media or casual use

However, if you:

  • Want more control over your artwork and brushstrokes️
  • Desire high-quality results with professional-looking details
  • Plan to create original watercolor paintings️
Popular paid options include Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Corel Painter Essentials.
Free converters are a great way to experiment, but dedicated software offers more creative freedom for serious digital artists.

Pros:

Quick and Easy: Rapidly converts photos into watercolors with minimal effort.

User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes it accessible to users of all skill levels.

Variety of Styles: Offers a range of watercolor styles to choose from.

Batch Processing: Allows for efficient processing of multiple images at once.

Cons:

Limited Customization: Offers limited control over specific aspects of brushstrokes and color blending.

Reliance on Presets: Relies heavily on preset styles, limiting artistic freedom and flexibility.

Potential for Generic Results: May produce generic and less unique watercolor effects, especially with low-quality input images.

Lack of Advanced Features: Does not offer advanced features like layer editing, masking, or custom brush creation.

Software Licensing: Requires a software license, which may limit usage and portability.

Artistic Possibilities

While this software is a good starting point for beginners, it may not be suitable for those seeking more creative control. It's ideal for quickly transforming photos into basic watercolor paintings without much effort.

What is the top digital watercolor software on the market?

Many software options are available on the market, each with unique features and benefits.

.

I seek software that accurately replicates the nuances of watercolor painting, including subtle color blending, paper texture, and brushstroke variations. The software should offer adjustable parameters to fine-tune the conversion process and achieve the desired artistic effect.

Paul

At SoftOrbits, our goal is to deliver accurate and trustworthy information.

  • We pick products for reviews based on what people like and what is popular.

  • Our testing phase focuses on spotlighting the prime features of a product and identifying its most suitable software.

  • User reviews from top sites guide us in crafting our product reviews.

  • We gather feedback from our users, understanding their thoughts on SoftOrbits software and other products.

Procreate

Procreate..

A powerful digital watercolor app for iPad and iPhone. Offers a wide range of brushes, layers, and blending modes. Ideal for mobile artists and those who prefer a touch-based interface.

Pros:

Mobile-friendly

Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for creating watercolor paintings

Has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started

Can be used on both the iPad and iPhone

Has a large community of artists and tutorials available for learning and improving your skills

Cons:

Only available on Apple devices

Can be less powerful than desktop software

Artistic Possibilities:

Procreate is an excellent choice for mobile artists. It offers a wide range of brushes, blending modes, and paper textures to create stunning watercolor paintings. Its intuitive interface and time-lapse recording feature make it a popular choice for both beginners and professionals.
My overall rating: 4.5    G2 Review

Corel Painter

Corel Painter..

A professional digital painting software specializing in natural media simulation. Offers realistic brushstrokes, and blending modes. Ideal for artists who want to replicate traditional painting techniques.

Pros:

Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for creating watercolor paintings

Has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started

Offers advanced features for professional artists

Cons:

Can be a bit expensive compared to other options

Not as widely used as some of the other options on this list

Artistic Possibilities:

Corel Painter is a popular choice for digital artists who want to replicate traditional watercolor techniques. It offers a wide range of brushes to create realistic and expressive watercolor paintings.
My overall rating: 4    capterra Review

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop..

A powerful image editing software with extensive tools for digital painting. Offers advanced features like layers, masks, and a wide range of brushes. Suitable for both beginners and professionals.

Pros:

Offers a wide range of tools for creating watercolor paintings

Has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started

Has a large community of artists and tutorials available for learning and improving your skills

Offers advanced features for professional artists

Cons:

Can be a bit expensive compared to other options

Has a steep learning curve for beginners

Artistic Possibilities:

Photoshop is a powerful tool for digital artists. It offers a wide range of possibilities for creating stunning watercolor effects. Users can experiment with different brushstrokes, blending techniques, and textures to achieve unique and personalized results.
G2 Review
My overall rating: 4.5   

Krita

Krita..

A free and open-source software for digital painting with a focus on professional-grade features. Offers a wide range of brushes, layers, and filters. Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.

Pros:

Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for creating watercolor paintings

Has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started

Offers advanced features for professional artists

Is open-source and free software

Cons:

Not as widely used as some of the other options on this list

May not have the same level of support as some of the other options

Artistic Possibilities:

Krita is a versatile software that can be used to create a wide range of artistic styles, including watercolor. It offers a variety of brushes to help you achieve your desired look.
My overall rating: 4    G2 Review
Here are some additional free and open-source watercolor software options to consider:

Free and Open-Source Options:

MyPaint

A simple and intuitive program that focuses on a minimalist interface and a focus on brushstrokes. It's perfect for those who prefer a more traditional painting experience.

Pros:

Simple and Intuitive: MyPaint's user interface is designed to be straightforward, making it easy for beginners to pick up.

Focus on Brushwork: It excels at simulating traditional painting techniques, with a strong focus on brushstrokes and texture.

Lightweight and Fast: MyPaint is a lightweight application, making it efficient to run on older hardware.

Open-Source and Free: It's freely available and customizable, allowing users to contribute to its development.

Cons:

Limited Features: Compared to more comprehensive software like Krita or Photoshop, MyPaint offers a more limited feature set.

Steeper Learning Curve: While the core functionality is simple, mastering advanced techniques and customization can require more effort.

Lack of Layer Support: MyPaint's layer system is basic, which can limit its versatility for complex paintings.

Artistic Possibilities:

MyPaint is a great tool for artists who prefer a minimalist approach to painting. It offers a range of natural media brushes and a simple interface that allows you to focus on the creative process.G2 Review

GIMP

While primarily known as a photo editing tool, GIMP can also be used for digital painting. With its extensive plugin ecosystem, it can be customized to suit various painting needs, including watercolor effects.

Pros:

Versatile Tool: GIMP is a powerful image editing software with a wide range of features.

Customizable Interface: It offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to tailor it to their specific workflow.

Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: GIMP's plugin ecosystem provides a vast array of additional tools and features, making it highly extensible.

ree and Open-Source: It's freely available and open-source, making it a great choice for budget-conscious users.

Cons:

Steep Learning Curve: GIMP's interface can be complex and overwhelming for beginners, especially when compared to more user-friendly software.

Performance Issues: GIMP can be resource-intensive, especially when working with large images or complex projects.

Less Intuitive for Painting: While GIMP is a powerful tool, it's not specifically designed for painting, which can make it less intuitive for artists compared to dedicated software like Krita or MyPaint.

Artistic Possibilities:

While GIMP is primarily a photo editing software, it can be used for painting with the help of plugins and customization. It may not be as user-friendly as dedicated painting software, but it offers a wide range of features for those willing to invest the time to learn.TechRadar Review

Comparing Digital Watercolor Software

Key Differences

FeatureSoftOrbitsAdobe PhotoshopCorel PainterKritaProcreateGIMPMyPaint
Core FunctionalityPhoto-to-painting conversionImage editing, graphic design, paintingDigital watercolor illustration, natural media simulationPainting and illustration, open-sourcePainting and illustration, mobile-focusedImage manipulation and editingPainting and illustration
CustomizationLimitedExtensiveExtensiveExtensiveExtensiveExtensiveExtensive
Brush EngineSimplisticAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedCustomizableNatural-media simulation
Layer SystemLimitedAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedSimple
PlatformWindowsWindows, macOSWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, LinuxiPad, iPhoneWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, Linux
PricePaidPaidPaidFreePaidFreeFree
Skill LevelBeginnerBeginner to AdvancedIntermediate to AdvancedBeginner to AdvancedBeginner to IntermediateBeginner to AdvancedBeginner to Intermediate

What is the best watercolour software for PC?

SoftOrbits software can be a useful tool for quickly creating watercolor paintings, but it's important to consider its limitations and explore other options for more advanced users.
For users who require advanced customization, control over the painting process, and a wider range of artistic possibilities, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, Krita, or Procreate are better options. Or you can consider free Gimp or MyPaint.

Advanced Techniques

While watercolor software offers a variety of tools for creating realistic watercolor drawing, some software packages allow for advanced techniques that can elevate your artwork to professional levels. Here are a few examples:

✔️ Layering

This technique involves creating multiple layers in your artwork, allowing you to experiment with different elements independently. You can add layers for specific details, backgrounds, or text, and adjust their opacity or blending modes to create complex compositions.

✔️ Masking

Masking allows you to protect certain areas of your canvas while painting or applying effects to others. This is useful for creating intricate details or preserving specific parts of your artwork.

✔️ Brush Customization

Many software programs allow you to customize your brushes, adjusting factors like size, shape, opacity, and texture. This level of customization enables you to create unique brushstrokes and emulate different painting styles.

By mastering these techniques, you can create stunning paintings that rival traditional watercolor art.

Watercolor presets are good. By personally I like Gouache Drawing:

Know how to do watercolor..
Digital art..

And one more result of Gouache preset. I like sharp colors.

 Picture to Painting Converter software for digital painting..
Transform Your Photos into Digital Watercolor Masterpieces..

This article reviews watercolor software, including Picture to Painting Converter. It compares features, price, and user-friendliness of various options like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, Krita, and Procreate. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this guide helps you choose the best software for your needs.

Picture to Painting Converter Picture to Painting Converter
Discover the best digital watercolor software to bring your artistic vision to life. Explore top-rated tools that mimic traditional watercolor techniques.
 Download for Free


🙋Frequently Asked Questions

A beginner-friendly software might include a variety of preset brushes, simple layering options, and basic blending modes like normal and multiply. More advanced software offers customizable brush tips, multiple blending modes, and layer masks for more complex effects.

Digital software can simulate wet-on-wet by using a high level of brush opacity and blending modes like overlay or soft light. Some software even allows for customizable water simulation.

Realists might prefer software with realistic brush textures and a focus on detail, while impressionists might look for software that supports loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Abstract artists may be drawn to software with unique effects and experimental tools.

Higher resolution allows for greater detail and sharper images. A high-resolution painting can be printed at a larger size without losing quality, making it suitable for fine art prints or gallery exhibitions.

Brush textures simulate the real-world experience of painting on different surfaces. A paper texture might give a more traditional look, while a canvas texture can provide a more textured and expressive feel.