DIY Watercolor Painting of Your Home

 I still remember, probably twelve years ago, walking into my friend's home and seeing a beautiful painting of her house above the fireplace. 

I loved the painting because it was so personal, unique and captured my friend's love of home. She and her husband had their home built when they were engaged. They brought their babies home from the hospital there and have since been raising their family, creating so many memories, in that house on Old Course Drive.

Who would have guessed that a decade later, we could transform our own photos to "paintings" with just a few taps on our iPhone or iPad? 

The other day, I took pictures of some beautiful old officers' homes, dating back to the early 1900s. Here is one of the homes, turned into a watercolor painting...

And here is the original...

The app I use is Waterlogue and costs $2.99. 

(I am not being compensated for this... just wanted to share it with you!)

Here is another before...

And after...

The only problem I have found with this app is that it is addicting. Just imagine pictures of your children and pets turned into paintings! However, I have found that simple images work best. Facial features can be distorted - which can either look artistic... or slightly disturbing. Just play around with the settings to see what look and feel you like best.

Another thing to keep in mind is the angle of your home. I like this picture of our home because it's taken from where our boys like to play, you can see the barn, and I think it has a good dose of farmhouse appeal. I took this picture recently, in the winter, when frost was covering the ground.

And the picture below is after using the Waterlogue app. I most often use the "Luminous" setting in the "Lighter" or "Lightest" color option. You can also choose a "Border" or "No Border." This one has a border.

Here is one of the front of our home taken during the fall. 

If you look closely, you can see pumpkins on the porch. :)

Here is one more from the side, closer up, in a square format.

I was so excited to make a "painting" of my sister's home for her for Christmas. 

Here is the picture I started with...

And here is her "painted" home... 

I had it printed in a 20" x 30" size at Shutterfly. Then I (actually my husband) had it custom framed with a mat and barn wood frame.

Okay, last one. I promise.

Does this church remind you of the one from Walnut Grove (Little House on the Prairie), or is it just me?

And it's even better (I think) as a watercolor...

So addicting. You're welcome and I'm sorry.

Will you try it? Or have you done it? 

I'd love to hear!

Xo

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