6 ways to turn your photo into art

The ways in which you can use your PC to create art are limitless, not least because nobody really knows what ‘art’ is. You could probably just give your PC a few blows with a hammer, wedge it into a toilet bowl and pass it off as a masterpiece.

For mainstream appeal, you’re better off going for something a little more tasteful to hang on the wall. So keep your PC intact and use it to help you release your inner artiste…

1. Your own photos

Many of the photographs stored on your computer probably deserve pride of place on your wall already. However, if you don’t think your library’s up to it, take a stroll down to a local beauty spot and get snapping. You don’t even need to have your own printer, either.

PIC ’N’ MIX Corel Painter X can turn your photo into art

Click the Print button in Windows Photo Gallery and select Order Prints, and you can have the snaps delivered to your door. Extra Film is even offering 10 free prints if you’re a new customer.

2. Other people’s photographs

You’ve got access to an endless supply of images online. There are huge photography sites such as Flickr where you can get photos to print, or you could do an image search using Live Search. The problem with most of the images found online is that you need the owner’s permission before you can use the photo.

3. Use PC software to alter a pic

It’s possible to turn standard photos into real eye-catchers. You can do this by using software like Photoshop or Corel Painter X, but there are also online services offered by the likes of Art.co.uk and Kodak Gallery, who will do the work for you at a price.

4. Paint on your PC

Windows comes with the Paint program for simple drawing techniques, but there are many programs that take this further, enabling you to unleash your creative ability. Get squishy with oils by downloading the Free Edition of Art Rage 2 from Ambient Design. You can paint from the word go and splash a rainbow of colour all over your blank electronic canvas.

5. Create a canvas

Many web sites offer to print your (or their own supplied) images to paper or canvas, with a variety of sizes, frames, effects, and so on to choose from. Try You are art or Image Kind.

6. Make something truly special

MiniArtwork pieces are designed to get over the fact that full-size artworks are usually expensive and difficult to transport. Send your image to MiniArtworks in Brighton and they’ll make individually photographically printed, durable blocks that when put together show off the image as a whole. Create your own at Mini Artworks.