How to make a photograph look like an oil painting?

Retta Robinson
by Retta Robinson
I have some great photos I want to have enlarged and printed on canvas. Best place to have this done? How do you make them look like oil paintings? I see them in stores with something brushed on top that looks like brush strokes but sloppily done.
seaoats at the beach
  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 25, 2017

    Not 100 % positive maybe....https://liquitex.com/Mediums/

  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Nov 25, 2017

    I have take photos to Staples and Office Depot to have them enlarged and printed on canvas. The clarity of the picture will depend on the resolution of your camera, etc. I am not sure about the brush stroke effect though.....

  • 27524803 27524803 on Nov 25, 2017

    There are websites that take a photo and print it on canvas and then go over it with oils.. (like senior class photos made into oils) and there are places that turn a photo into a paint by number on canvas and the price usually includes the oil or acrylic paints in the correct colors. I have even seen ads for turning a photo into a pattern for needlepoint.

  • Pintrest has instructions....its very easy

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Nov 25, 2017

    Office Depot or Walgreens should be able to enlarge your photos. One way to get the brushstroke look is to coat the photo with Modge Podge. To get more natural brushstrokes, apply the Modge Podge in small areas at a time. Brush each area as if you were an artist, having your strokes follow the photo. For instance, follow the direction of the wayet, and specifically the upward strokes of saltgrass. Use tiny strokes for the sand and grass areas. Modge Podge goes on white, but dries clear. It will also be glossy. Look at the photo from different angles to make sure you don’t leave any areas uncoated. Let the photo dry completely before putting it in a frame.

    Dont forget to take photos all through your process. Then write a Post for Hometalk! Best wishes 😇

    • See 2 previous
    • Debra Wagner Debra Wagner on Nov 30, 2017

      First spray with an aerosol sealant before mod podge. Let dry COMPLETELY between steps. The prints are pretty cheap so get two so you have a practice one to experiment with.😁

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Nov 27, 2017

    Wow, Suzanne Bates! I've sealed photos with Modge Podge before, but not one this size. Maybe the photos from a photo place are different from those on a home printer. I don't know. Thank you!

  • Jenni Gray Snyder Jenni Gray Snyder on Nov 27, 2017

    I’ve actually had good luck with Wal-Mart. Did a photography session for a coworker and her dog and she loved the pictures. Did a 16x20 canvas and she had it framed at A.C. Moore. You might try brushing on an acrylic gel medium.

  • Alaina Alaina on Nov 28, 2017

    Also note that Modge Podge comes in different finishes, both matte and gloss, and I believe high gloss, just choose your desired finish.

  • Barbara Barbara on Nov 28, 2017

    go to Canvas on Demand. com, they have great sales on putting pictures on canvas all the time. Right now you can do a 16 by 20 for $22.00! I did two for Christmas gifts, they look great. Going to do more soon.

  • Susan Snyder Susan Snyder on Nov 30, 2017

    For canvas prints, I highly recommend www.easycanvasprints.com . I have used them many times. Their prices, quality and ease of use are absolutely the best I’ve found anywhere!!! (For instance, they frequently offer a “2 16x20 canvases for $29.99” deal. However, their regular prices are very very good anyway, so there’s no need to wait.)

    In re: making canvas prints look like oil painting: I’ve actually done this a number of times myself. In 2 instances, I used a clear gel medium from an art supply store, but you can also get it at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. (For this purpose, it’s sort of like paint without any color pigment in it.)

    I’ve also used Mod Podge. It comes in gloss or matte. (They can be blended if you want to create your own level of sheen. Experiment on a small blank canvas.)

    To make it look like an actual painting, use various sizes of paint brushes. Imagine yourself actually painting and carefully follow the lines of the subject matter. The more attention you pay to detail, the more realistic it will look. Use short strokes and very small amounts of “paint” at a time. If you mess up, let it dry completely and then go over it. Step back often and look at it from all angles.

    Note** The best one I ever did was done this way: I used a free app to make my photo look like it was painted by an artist. (These apps let you try any artists’ style you like: Renoir, VanGogh, Picasso, Klimt. It’s fun!) Then I had that photo printed on canvas. It really looked like my photo was painted by a Master! I could have left it that way. Then I used gel medium to “paint” over it. It really looked like a painting when I was done.

    ps: You don’t have to frame your canvas. Most are gallery-wrapped and have a beautiful edge. I’ve never framed any of mine and was very happy. If you choose to frame yours, though, and if you use Mod Podge, be sure to let it dry THOROUGHLY!! Otherwise it will eventually stick to the frame. Also, if you aren’t going to frame it, be sure to “paint” the edges. (Once you see an example of gallery-wrapping you’ll understand.)

    Good luck...and have fun!!

  • Ben Ben on May 09, 2018

    can you cover it in wax paper and blow dry it