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Have you waterlogued yet? Is that even a word? In case you don’t know, Waterlogue is a phone app that creates a watercolor effect from digital photos.  I was so close to buying the app a few weeks ago but decided against spending the $3. I told you I am cheap  frugal, haha.

I finally gave in a few days ago and it was sooooo worth it! Which is why today I am sharing how to create DIY wall art using Waterlogue.

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue

I originally planned to use the app on a giraffe drawing I made 6 years ago and wanted to hang in my office. It wasn’t colorful though so I figured it didn’t need to look like a watercolor painting anyway. I wound up using illustrator to turn it into a grayscale vector image so I could blow it up without losing any of the quality.

You may recall seeing this on my Facebook page:

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

I’m happy to report that Mr. Giraffe has since been printed, framed and added to our living room gallery wall, woo-hoo! (I may move it into my office once I work on that gallery wall.)

The other day I was staring at this adorable vintage teacup my step-sister, Nancie gave me for Christmas and trying to figure out a way to keep it displayed in my creative office/studio. By the way, she said she picked it out based on my blog colors, isn’t that so thoughtful and amazing? The colors are PERFECT and I quickly realized this little succulent I had would fit perfectly inside. I was so excited I snapped a photo and sent it to the hubs.

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

It was just a crappy iphone photo, nothing special. It was then that I started thinking about the Waterlogue app and how this photo could turn into a fabulous print. We had just finished putting up our massive living room gallery wall, and I had frames that needed to be filled on a budget that required craftiness. So I decided to download the app and give it a try. It’s pretty straight forward to use, but the photos below may help if you’ve never seen or used it.

The waterlogued photo looked amazing but had a few extra white spaces in the leaves that I decided to fill in with photoshop. I still left quite a bit of white because it looked like light reflecting off of it, and honestly could have just left it as is. Here is what the final image looked like:

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

Ummm, AMAZING, right? I know this isn’t original art or anything fancy but for a girl with no budget for art this photo made me do the happy dance.

Here is what it looks like framed:

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and of all the photos I’ve waterlogued since, this is by far my favorite.

So if you have a photo already on your phone you could use that, capture new ones with your phone’s camera, or even just email yourself some photos from your computer and then save them to your phone. Once you’ve “waterlogued” them you can save them as large or giant files (I used giant), print and frame them. Soooo easy!

I didn’t want to waste too much ink and had already planned on getting a few photo prints at Walgreens so I just added an 8×10 to my online order picked it up within the hour. I generally get my framed prints from Office Max or Staples, but Walgreens had a 40% off prints sale going on so it only cost about $2 to get it printed, not too shabby. It was glossier than I had anticipated but I actually love how it looks framed. I had a couple other photos printed but they didn’t look nearly as good and I think printing them on a matt textured paper is probably best. Oh yeah and I got the frame it’s in on clearance for more than 50% off at Target a couple weeks ago.

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

I wound up printing another photo on cardstock paper with my own printer later that night, and it turned out really pretty. You’ll be able to see that one when I share our living room gallery wall in a future post.

So what do you think? Do you plan to create DIY wall art using waterlogue? If you are looking for some affordable DIY wall art ideas I think it’s a great option!

How to Create DIY Wall Art Using Waterlogue - See how you can create super easy wall art using the Waterlogue Phone App! UpcycledTreasures.com

You can read more about the Waterlogue app here. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s currently only available for the iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch.

20 Comments

  1. So Cool! I am obsessed with watercolor right now and need to find some art for our bedroom, so I may have to check this app out.

    1. Oh yeah I would definitely recommend it! You can’t beat $3 to print out some really personal and pretty pictures 🙂 I’m surprised photoshop doesn’t have filter effects than compare.

  2. Thanks for reminding me that I had this app and needed to use it. I just did a photo of the blossoms on my lemon tree. It turned out great. Thanks for the post…and reminder:)

    1. Thanks Amy! Every time I walk into our living room I find myself staring at it. Plus I have the real one sitting on my desk and that one makes me happy too. My cat hasn’t attempted to eat it yet either which is a plus, lol.

  3. I remember when this app was blowing up my instagram feed with oil painted looking photos. I haven’t bought it yet, but I probably will. Can’t wait to print the printable, it’ll look great in my office makeover! Thanks gor sharing love!

    1. I know there have been so many pretty photos on instagram but I was like, noooo I don’t need to get that app blah blah and now I’m like, yeah I’m glad I finally caved in. haha.

  4. Oh yes, I adore this app and, like you, have sent myself some of my images and then worked on them on my computer. I’m doing cards and possibly posters next. it’s one of the best things out there!!

  5. Katie I love the Waterlogue app too and have made some wood mounted art with some of my pictures. Your tea cup/succulent picture came out beautifully! Thanks for sharing on Best of the Nest!

  6. Katie, I was thrilled to see your Waterlogue artwork. I bought the app a few weeks ago and had not taken the time to use it. Thanks for your tutorial… I’m more excited than ever!

    Helen

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