6 Awesome Ways to Turn Photos Into Paintings in 2021

A man in a straw hat is transforming photos into paintings.

Capturing a perfect moment on camera can preserve a treasured memory. However, sometimes we’d like to turn those moments into something more. Perhaps you want to transform it into a beautiful painting you can display on your walls or share on social media.

Thankfully, that’s easy enough to do. From apps to professional artists, here are six incredible ways you can turn photos into paintings in 2021.

Web-Based Services

Several online services will turn your photo into beautiful artwork for a fee. It’s more accurate than having an app do it automatically, but it’s also more expensive. However, it’s less costly than hiring a professional painter.

Many of these web-based services have a team of artists that do the work. If you’re not sure about which style to choose, don’t worry. Services like Instapainting can help you decide by showing you previews of the completed artwork. All you need to do is submit your photo and wait for the magic to happen.

Get a Professional Painter

Are you looking for a perfect replica, pop art, or abstract rendition of your photo? You might want to hire an expert.

A painter with extensive experience will be able to capture the style and theme you want. They can also try out different styles, mediums, and interpretations and make recommendations if you’re unsure.

Keep in mind that this is probably the most expensive option as well. That said, you can get something truly remarkable from a professional artist.

Hire a Freelance Artist

If you’d prefer to work with an artist directly without paying exorbitant fees, you may want to hire a freelancer. You can find many talented painters on sites like Upwork and Fiverr.

Keep in mind that, while it might work out cheaper, you likely won’t get the quality you want. Take the time to explore your options on these websites, and try to see if there’s any feedback from previous customers before choosing an artist.

Use a Mobile App

Everyone wants to post the perfect picture to Instagram, but sometimes we turn to a helping hand. If you’d like to transform your photo into a painting before posting it, try a mobile app.

Some apps even have unique abilities. Pikazo, for example, can create amazing transformations that make your photo look like something straight from Picasso’s canvas. Waterlogue, on the other hand, creates beautiful watercolor artworks, while Brushstroke has a fantastic overall filter collection.

If you’re looking for a quick way to turn a photo into a painting, an app is the way to go.

Learn to Paint

Learning how to transform a photo into a painting yourself might not be the fastest route to take, but it’ll certainly be fun. You’ll also have a lot more freedom to try out different styles and mediums, creating something unique and personal.

If you’re not sure where to start, try searching for free online tutorials. Better yet, adopt a Bob Ross mentality and just go where the paint takes you; there are no mistakes here, only happy accidents.

Try Editing Software

A laptop is sitting on a desk next to a lamp, displaying digital artwork.

If you don’t want to learn how to paint yourself, why not try out digital art instead? Photo editing is a common occurrence, and you can do almost anything with the right software.

Popular tools include Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. Both of these programs have filters to help you create instant paintings. You’ll still need a few online tutorials to learn how to use them appropriately. However, with a little practice, you might just be able to turn out paintings like a pro.

Final Word

Turning out the perfect photo is hard enough, but sometimes we want to make it stand out just a little bit more. By turning your image into an artwork or painting, you can create something memorable and unique.

Choose to use an affordable service like an app or freelancer, or decide to splurge on a professional. Alternatively, add a personal touch by learning how to paint or use digital software.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll end up with something beautiful to display.

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