Turn Your Photos Into Watercolors: Waterlogue

Let me introduce you to my latest app obsession, Waterlogue. It’s a cool new app that lets you transform boring old photos from your phone into handsome watercolor images — and it’s very user-friendly, with an attractive interface.

If you’re familiar with Instagram, you’ll have no problem becoming quickly acquainted with Waterlogue. To use the application, you upload a photo, choose one of their 12 different painting-style filters, and then watch as Waterlogue works its watercolor magic. Like in Instagram, along with choosing filters, you also have a few more settings to decide between, such as adding a border or adjusting brightness or brush size. The fun part comes as you get to watch the process of your photo turning into a watercolor as the app runs through drawing, picking colors, wetting brushes, and then finally painting (image 5 above).

Luminious filter, small brush size, darker, w/ border on photo previously Instagrammed.

The original Instagram photo of my wheaten terrier.

After having fun playing around with this addicting app, I definitely found that certain photos lend themselves to the app better than others, but that’s easy to figure out once you start using it. I personally have been enjoying using it with still images of different plants, my garden, or landscapes, but this could also be a clever way to add personal artwork around your house. Once you finish your photo, the app saves each watercolor picture in high resolution, which will allow you to print it directly from your phone or later on your home computer. There’s also a feature that lets you easily mail your finished painting as a 4×6 postcard.

Waterlogue is currently only available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and will run you $2.99 at the Apple App Store.