Paint effects can be applied to digital images to make the images resemble paintings. Depending on the software you use, you can transform your photos into beautiful water colors, soft pastels and oil paintings. And if you'd like to add paint effects to your digital photos, you can find a wealth of capable photo editing utilities for free on the web.
Instructions
FotoSketcher
1. Download and install a free copy of FotoSketcher (see Resources). Start the program after installing it. Click on the folder icon, located in the program's top left corner. Locate your image, using the file explorer window that appears.
2. Click on the "Drawing style" menu box when the "Drawing parameters" menu appears. Select one of the paint styles from the "Paint Effects" heading in the "Drawing style" menu box.
3. Click "Draw," and then close the "Drawing parameters" menu. Click on the disk icon, located at the top of the program, to save your painting.
Phixr
4. Use Phixr's online photo editor to convert your images to paintings. Click on the "Get Started" option on the site's homepage (see Resources).
5. Click on the utility's "Browse" button to upload an image from your computer, or paste a web address into the second field to use an online image. Click on the "Upload the chosen photo to Phixr" button.
6. Click on the utility's "Fun Effects" button, located in the toolbar on the left. Select the "Oil Painting" option from the Fun Effects menu, and then click "Execute."
7. Select an output format for the image from the "File Format" field. Click on the "Download/Save" button.
Pixelstouch
8. Apply paint effects to your images online using Pixelstouch's web-based utility (see Resources). Click on the Pixelstouch's "Painting" heading after you navigate to the site's homepage.
9. Click on the utility's "Browse" button to upload a photo from your computer, and then click "Upload."
10. Click on the utility's "Paint it" button to apply its paint effect. Click on the "Download" button to save the converted image to your computer.
