How Do I Draw a Picture from a Painting?

To "draw" a picture from a painting, you likely mean creating a similar artistic effect on a photograph to make it look like a painting, often using software like Photoshop. Here's how you can achieve that:

Creating a "Painted" Effect on a Photo Using Photoshop

This method simulates the look of an oil painting using Photoshop's built-in filters.

1. Open Your Photo: Open the photograph you want to transform into a "drawing" in Photoshop.

2. Duplicate the Layer: Press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (Mac) to create a duplicate of your background layer. This protects your original image and allows for non-destructive editing.

3. Apply the Oil Paint Filter:

   • Go to Filter > Stylize > Oil Paint. If the Oil Paint filter is greyed out, ensure that Photoshop is up-to-date. Also, go to Edit > Preferences > Performance and check "Use Graphics Processor." Restart Photoshop.

4. Adjust Brush Settings: In the Oil Paint dialog box, you'll find sliders to control the brushstrokes. Experiment with these settings:

   • Stylization: Controls the overall style or intensity of the brushstrokes. Higher values create a more exaggerated painted effect.
   • Cleanliness: Determines how smooth or rough the paint appears. Lower values give a rougher, more textured look.
   • Scale: Adjusts the size of the brushstrokes.
   • Bristle Detail: Controls the fineness of the brushstrokes.

5. Adjust Lighting Settings:

   • Angular Direction: Sets the direction of the light source.
   • Shine: Controls the intensity of the light.

6. Apply the Filter: Click "OK" to apply the Oil Paint filter with your chosen settings.

Alternative Methods & Considerations

• Experiment with Other Filters: Explore other filters under the "Filter" menu (e.g., Artistic, Brush Strokes) for different effects.
• Use Painting Software: Programs like Corel Painter are specifically designed for digital painting and offer a wider range of brushes and textures.
• Manual Drawing/Painting: If you literally want to draw or paint a picture based on an existing painting, you would use traditional art supplies (pencils, charcoal, paint, etc.) and techniques, observing the original painting and replicating its composition, colors, and style.

By using these steps, you can transform a photograph into an image that resembles a painting, effectively creating a "drawing" from a painting in a digital sense.