For watercolor preparation

Prepare your watercolor reference before the first wash.

Turn a reference photo into a light outline for your painting. Start with the Watercolor preset, simplify the shapes, and choose how visible the guide should be.

Preview your own photo before buying. No account needed.
Exports: $2.99 USD / 24 hours or Studio $7.99/mo USD, billed monthly.

FROM PHOTO TO DRAWING GUIDEActual Sketchso output
Light watercolor guide generated from the reference photograph, shown at tracing opacity
Your reference used as the reference before outline conversion
Light watercolor guideYour reference
Drag to explore the outlineYour reference. Your drawing.

Actual Watercolor settings on a pet reference: a light blue placement guide. Test the ink with your washes or use graphite transfer.

Outline conversion happens on your device.

Explore the workflow

A little preparation. More room to create.

Leave room for the painting

Choose the simplest useful shapes, adjust blue or gray line visibility, and include instructions for a graphite transfer if direct printing is unsuitable.

  1. 01

    Find the main shapes

    Choose a well-lit reference with readable light and dark areas. The Watercolor preset starts with a faint blue guide; adjust it for your own subject.

  2. 02

    Protect the highlights

    Reduce unnecessary texture and check the areas you intend to leave as white paper. Printed guide lines will remain visible wherever your painting does not cover them.

  3. 03

    Test your paper and ink

    Download a sized PDF or PNG after previewing. Check that the printer supports your paper and test whether its ink bleeds under water. Use a graphite transfer if direct printing is unsuitable.

Read the watercolor tracing guide

Notes from the worktable

A useful outline should support your washes

Transparent washes

Lower visibility gradually. Watercolor may not conceal printed lines, especially in pale passages. A blue or gray guide is a choice to test, not a guarantee of invisibility.

Florals and landscapes

Keep the edges that place petals, buildings or the horizon. Leave softer foliage and atmospheric edges for your brush to describe.

Portraits

Compare the eyes, nose and mouth with the reference before printing. Preserve the shapes you need without outlining every shadow.

A few useful answers

Before you start.

More help
Does this turn my photo into a watercolor painting?

It creates an outline to help you paint your own watercolor. It does not generate a finished watercolor effect. Keep the original photograph beside you for color and value reference.

Will the lines vanish under watercolor?

Not necessarily. Transparent paint can leave guide lines visible, and printer ink may bleed. Reduce opacity and test with your actual paper, ink and paints before starting the final painting.

Can I print onto watercolor paper?

Only if your printer supports the paper’s weight, thickness and size. Check its specifications and feed instructions. Otherwise print onto ordinary paper and transfer a light graphite guide.

What is free, and what do I pay for?

Creating and adjusting a watermarked preview is free, with no signup. A $2.99 USD Day Pass unlocks exports for 24 hours without a recurring charge. Studio is $7.99/mo USD, billed monthly. Both unlock PNG, PDF and printing without the watermark.

Your next piece starts with a photo.

Preview first. Choose an export plan when your guide feels right.

Made something with Sketchso? Share your artwork.

Upload your watercolor reference