turning a photo into a water color

[firstdefence]

I now have the same config as you and can successfully open an image into JixiPix Watercolor Studio from Affinity Photo.

[jmwellborn]

@h_d  Here is what I got by following your suggested path.  I can't figure out how to get the last bit (/JixiPix_Plugins/) into the path.  Stumped.  Again.  Ugh.

[jmwellborn]

34 minutes ago, firstdefence said:

Now you’re bald I thought I’d look for a wig for ya, I’ve heard the Mullet is making a comeback, this is the Grand Deluxe Edition… Expression is optional.🤣
 

 

24 minutes ago, firstdefence said:

I now have the same config as you and can successfully open an image into JixiPix Watercolor Studio from Affinity Photo.

I have set my Preferences back to match yours exactly.   Hit Close, and Restart.   Then closed Photo down and opened it again.  Placed an image, rasterized it, and tried to use the plugin.   Same story.   It just shows the blank Watercolor Studio screen.   I think we should give this a pass for tonight.   You have been so wonderful, but enough is enough for one day.   I have sent the Tech Support people at Watercolor Studio an email, and suppose that in a few days they may respond.

You are a Gentleman +++++++++++++++++ and I do appreciate everything so much!!

[firstdefence]

You are welcome, maybe see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

[h_d]

We shall overcome...

[jmwellborn]

Still can't use the Watercolor Studio plugin, but here is a first attempt.   I imported the JixiPix-resulting JPG into Photo, and then had a splendid time using layer adjustments to mute some stuff and enhance some other stuff.   Levels and Curves work wonders at sorting some of the blandness.   (I wasn't trying for a wet-on-wet look.)  Don't think Monet will have any competition!

 

[Franzi von Fragenfeld]

Alternatively use the Freeware FotoSketcher. Works fantastic and does not only do watercolor...

https://fotosketcher.com/

[jmwellborn]

33 minutes ago, Franzi von Fragenfeld said:

Alternatively use the Freeware FotoSketcher. Works fantastic and does not only do watercolor...

https://fotosketcher.com/

Looks like fun, except that apparently it is for Windows users.  "Experimental version for MAC" sounds like trouble for a non-geek like me?

[Franzi von Fragenfeld]

Ha,

one of the reason I am at a PC

Here is the Mac Version:
https://www.fosshub.com/FotoSketcher.html?dwl=FotoSketcher_370_MacOS.app.zip

Just try it, would be surprised if it does not work.

[thomaso]

4 hours ago, jmwellborn said:

"Experimental version for MAC" sounds like trouble for a non-geek like me?

Franzi's linked version to me initially starts with two error windows (in Windows style), then starts an app called "Wine" ... but finally runs (within this "Wine").
Though it seems to be unable to access other volumes than my macOS boot volume ( I don't have volumes named C, D, E, F, Z, – if I click them they are empty), it seems to work to open a file of my user folder.

[firstdefence]

@thomaso 

1. Double click on (C:) 
2. Users
3. {Username}
4. From here you should be able to access files

[thomaso]

35 minutes ago, firstdefence said:

Users

Yes, as I said, the User folder can be accessed. I don't store my files there but on the 3 other volumes. Those aren't accessible via Wine. But never mind, it's no problem at all, my post was rather meant to inspire jmwellborn to reduce her hesitation of installation.

[PaulEC]

I like FotoSketcher myself, but it's also worth checking out XnSketch (free).

[thomaso]

5 hours ago, PaulEC said:

XnSketch

Nice, too, and with a much smaller file size (compared to FotoSketcher). But, at least on mac, rather with drawing and raster effects than with painting – and just oil, no watercolor (as searched in this topic).

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by thomaso
EDIT: correction of wrong app name quoted

[Franzi von Fragenfeld]

@thomaso
Thats ashame, because under windows you have lots of different options, chalk, watercolor, pencil, oil...
Most of them create really stunning results if you tweak the settings a little.

[firstdefence]

Access external volumes.

1. Open Fotosketcher
2. File > Open a picture (Ctrl+O)
3. Left side panel - Click Desktop
4. Right side panel - Double click the top icon with the /
5. Double click on the Volumes folder
6. select the volume you want.

[thomaso]

3 hours ago, Franzi von Fragenfeld said:

Thats ashame, because under windows you have lots of different options, chalk, watercolor, pencil, oil...

Oh, sorry, my fault, I meant to quote the "XnSketch" which doesn't offer water color. – "FotoSketcher" ("Wine") indeed offers a wide range of options, water color included:

1 hour ago, firstdefence said:

5. Double click on the Volumes folder

Ah, that's it, thank you!
(Though I already was aware about this folder I often forget about its existence because usually it's not needed within macOS – but it can be quite helpful in situations like this, or for instance to access a currently mounted backup volume which is kept invisible by macOS to prevent the user form accessing it manually.)

[jmwellborn]

Thank you everybody.  Sounds pretty scary to me, but as previously stated, I am a wimp at “interface.”

[thomaso]

8 minutes ago, jmwellborn said:

Sounds pretty scary to me, but as previously stated, I am a wimp at “interface.”

I am quite confident you will manage its use. Nothing harmful can happen. Once you are in it behaves like mac but just looks unusually different.
p.s.: I did not post above glitches to prevent you from trying it but to convince you from the simplicity of solutions