Turn a photo into art: AI, artist or app filter?

October 29, 2026

Turning a photo into a work of art is a lovely idea. A quick snapshot becomes a picture that hangs on your wall and holds your memories. But which way is right for you? There are basically three options: you have the artwork created with AI, you commission an artist, or you use a filter in an app. Each way has its strengths and its limits. Here's an honest overview.

Turn your photo into a work of art. The preview is free, you only pay if you love it.

Create your free preview

Option 1: Create an artwork with AI

With this option you upload a photo and an AI creates a new picture from it in a particular style, for example watercolor, oil style or pencil drawing. The AI doesn't work with a brush and paint. It generates a new image that follows your photo and recreates the look of the style you picked.

Pros

You usually see the result within a short time.
You can try out and compare different styles.
The cost is usually easy to plan.
Several photos can be merged into one shared picture, for example when a photo of everyone together was never taken.

Cons

It isn't a hand-painted one-of-a-kind piece with visible brushstrokes.
The AI interprets your photo. Small details may look different from the original.
The result depends a lot on the quality of the photo.

At Arturell, this is exactly the way we go, and we say so openly: your artworks are made with AI and then printed on canvas. So you're never buying blind, you see a free preview first.

Option 2: Commission an artist

The classic way: a person paints or draws your subject by hand, working from your photo. That might be a portrait artist in your town or someone you find online.

Pros

You get a handmade original with real brush or pencil work.
You can talk through your wishes in person.
The piece carries a human's own signature style.

Cons

Handwork takes time, often several weeks.
The cost is often higher, because many hours of work go into it.
You often only see the result at the end. Depending on the technique, changes are only possible to a limited extent.
Style and quality depend a lot on the individual artist.

If a real, hand-painted original matters to you and you have time to spare, this is a beautiful choice.

Option 3: A filter in an app

Many photo apps offer filters that make a picture look like a watercolor, a comic or a sketch. It's quick and often costs little or nothing.

Pros

Available right away, directly on your phone.
Great for playing with styles or making something for social media.

Cons

A filter usually just lays an effect over your photo. At its core, the picture is still a photo.
The resolution often isn't enough for a large print.
You have to arrange the canvas print yourself.

Which way suits you?

Ask yourself three questions:

How important is handwork? If you want a hand-painted original, commissioning an artist is the right way.
How much time do you have? If it's a gift for a fixed date, a quick option helps.
Do you want to see the result first? Then an option with a preview is a comfortable choice.

How it works at Arturell

With us it takes four steps:

Upload your photo
Choose from more than 20 art styles, such as watercolor, oil, Royal (a portrait fit for a king), Pop Art or pencil
See your free preview, with a watermark and no account needed
Only order once you love it

Up to 5 previews are free. You can get your artwork as a canvas from 30×20 cm to 120×80 cm on a 4 cm deep stretcher frame, as a framed canvas or as a digital download.You can get your artwork as a canvas on a 1.5 inch deep stretcher frame or as a framed canvas. Would you like to bring several people or pets together in one picture? Take a look at the family artworkfamily artwork. It merges up to 4 photos, group photos included, into one shared picture.

Start your free preview here.Start your free preview here.

Frequently asked questions

Is an AI artwork hand-painted?

No. The artwork is made with AI and then printed on canvas. Styles like watercolor or oil style are recreated digitally, and there are no brushstrokes made by hand.