Summary: This article highlights the top 10 AI-powered tools that can convert photos into watercolor paintings. The tools are evaluated based on parameters such as output quality, speed, ease of use, and compatibility with different platforms. The article concludes that these tools offer a quick and effortless way to create stunning watercolor-like artworks from ordinary photographs.

convert photo to watercolor painting

Though there are many equally good options for most image editing tasks, such as background removal, image enhancement, increasing resolution, etc. it is not the same if you want to convert photo to watercolor painting. The reason being that the application's version of the watercolor painting has to match the expectations of the user and the photo to watercolor algorithm itself has to be above average. Many usually take the Photoshop route but in this article, we will show you how photo to watercolor photoshop route is not the only way. We will provide a list of five tools that let you convert photo to watercolor online free of cost.

 

How to Convert Photo to Watercolor Online Free without Photoshop?

Product Name Output Quality Processing Speed AI-based Free/Paid Suitable For
BeFunky ★★★★☆ ★★★☆☆ Freemium Beginners or casual users looking for easy photo editing capabilities.
LunaPic ★★★☆☆ ★★★★☆ Free Users looking to create simple edits or animations quickly and easily.
Fotor ★★★☆☆ ★★★☆☆ Freemium Casual users who want basic editing tools with some advanced features.
AKVIS ★★★★★ ★★☆☆☆ Paid Professional artists and photographers looking for powerful editing software.
Photofunia ★★★☆☆ ★★★☆☆ Free Users looking to make fun or creative edits to their photos.

1. BeFunky

Price: This photo to watercolor online application is free to use.

BeFunky is a popular online image editor application with decent editing options for users, regardless of the account type. It supports PNG, JPG, and BFD image file formats for uploads. With a paid account, you can get access to more editing features and stock pictures.

How to convert photo to watercolor painting with Befunky?

1. Use the link above to access the website to convert photo to watercolor. Click on Get Started to open the editor.

convert photo to watercolor painting Befunky

2. Use the Open tab above to upload an image or select one of the sample images displayed just below the tab. Use any of the editing options from the left sidebar.

convert photo to watercolor painting Befunky

3. Use the Save tab above to download the image the way you want.

Also read: How to Make Digital Art – Best 10 Tools for Beginners.

2. LunaPic

Price: With LunaPic, you can easily convert photo to watercolor painting for free.

LunaPic is an incredible online image editing application that has a high number of editing and enhancement features. Though it is an application that takes time getting used to, it is still easier than complicated software applications. Other than that, the application can also automatically process images and still provide good looking photos.

How to convert photo to watercolor painting with Lunapic?

1. Use the link to access the website and for starters, the application will have processed a sample image already. Use the upload button to upload your own image.

convert photo to watercolor painting Lunapic

2. You can use the settings on the left to make changes.

convert photo to watercolor painting Lunapic

3. You can right-click on the image to save it into your desktop.

3. Fotor

Price: You can convert photo to watercolor painting with this tool for free online.

Fotor is an online application that is useful for a number of image editing tasks. The GoArt feature of Fotor is standalone which can also be used on Android and Apple mobile products. It makes use of AI based technology to process and paint artistic pictures out of ordinary ones.

How to convert photo to watercolor painting with Fotor?

1. Use the link above to get to the home screen of the tool. Click on Get Started.

convert photo to watercolor painting Fotor

2. Select an image from your device and upload it. Use the art styles and click on them to apply.

convert photo to watercolor painting Fotor

3. Use the save button on the right to download the image.

4. AKVIS

Price: This is a paid app and plugin though it does offer a free trial with enough features to convert photo to watercolor painting.

This software application and plugin is a comprehensive photo to watercolor tool that provides a list of options regarding the type of watercolor you want to apply to images. The paid versions start from $49 yearly. This tool can also process images automatically, leaving you with more convenience.

How to convert photo to watercolor painting with Akvis?

1. You can start by using the link given above and navigating the website. You can click on Free Trial to get started.

convert photo to watercolor painting Akvis

2. Install the application and open an image there. Use the watercolor settings on the right hand side to apply them and make changes.

convert photo to watercolor painting Akvis

3. Save the image at the destination folder.

5. Photofunia

Price: This application will make photo to watercolor paintings fully free of cost online.

This application online offers some versatility as it offers a bunch of different kinds of image editing or painting options. You can make use of this tool for specific festivals such as Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, and more. The tool is tailored to produce specific images in that way.

How to convert photo to watercolor painting with Photofunia?

1. Use the link above to access the website and application. From there, click on the upload option.

convert photo to watercolor painting Photofunia

2. Click on the Go button, which will initiate the tool to process the image.

convert photo to watercolor painting Photofunia

3. Use the Download button on the right to save the image.

How to make a photo look like a watercolor in Photoshop?

In this section we will take a look at how to make a photo look like a watercolor in photoshop. Though a tool like Photoshop has multiple ways of doing this, we will give you a simple way to convert photo to watercolor painting.

1. Launch the application and open an image there. After that, right-click on the image and choose the Smart Object option from the menu.

convert photo to watercolor painting Photoshop
2. Go to the Filter menu and to the Artistic tab. From there, you can choose the brushes that you want and use them on the picture.

convert photo to watercolor painting Photoshop

3. Save your project and your image through the File menu on the top left.

Final Thoughts

AI based applications are most sought after now due to them being capable of replicating iconic art styles of the past, such as Van Gogh's style. The AI Toongineer Cartoonizer, for instance, is a popular online AI tool that can convert photo to watercolor painting in a few seconds. Or click Top 10 Best Tools to Convert Photo to Sketch Online Free 2024 to find more products.

It is easier to convert photo to watercolor painting now thanks to the kind of image editing applications we have at our disposal. However, it is still advisable to use the application that meets your specific needs and expectations. For instance, the BeFunky tool has specific art styles that are not present in Fotor and vice versa. The watercolor tools themselves have unique variety hence it is better to use them at least once.

FAQs

1. How can I convert photo to watercolor online free?

You can make a photo to watercolor painting rather easily, especially if you are using an online image editing application. You can use the link given by us for any of the online tools and upload an image. You can use the settings, if any, to modify the result as per your preferences. The tools will process the image automatically and you can then download the image.

2. How can I add watercolor to black and white painting?

To add watercolor to a black and white painting, use a photo colorizer tool to digitally colorize the image, then apply watercolor effects using a painting software or physical watercolor paints.

Harley Wayne
Senior Editor

Harley Wayne is a Senior Editor at TopTen.AI. He received his bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University in 2008, and has worked in software development and software promotion for years. In 2017, he started his own blog posting AI and tech-related articles and joined TopTen.AI. He has amassed 6 years of experience crafting articles within the technological realm. He knows a lot about photo, audio, and video products, and he always knows what attracts users the most and what users want to know about software. With his professional education, keen interest in technology, and extensive work experience, Harley Wayne has written many articles with over 100K+ views. As a leading writer for TopTen.AI, Harley Wayne will continue to be keenly attuned to experiencing new technology products and is committed to providing readers with the most valuable information.