The quality of your final artwork depends on the quality of the photo you provide. Here are a few tips to help you get the best possible result from your custom watercolour portrait.

Use a Clear, Well-Lit Photo

For the best results, choose a photo that is bright and clear, with the subject easy to see and unobstructed. Natural light works best. Avoid photos that are dark, heavily shadowed, or taken with a flash that washes out details.

Make Sure Subjects Are Fully Visible

We use your photo exactly as provided, so make sure all subjects are fully within the frame. If someone is cropped at the edge of the photo, they will be cropped in the artwork too. Leave a little space around the edges of your subjects so our designers have room to add the watercolour effect around them.

Please note that our prints have a small bleed tolerance of approximately 3 to 5mm, which means the very edges of your image may be slightly trimmed during printing.

Use the Original Photo File

Always upload the original photo from your phone or camera. Screenshots, images saved from social media, or photos downloaded from messaging apps are typically compressed and lower in resolution, which affects the detail and clarity of the final print.

If you are unsure whether your photo is high enough quality, zoom in on the image on your phone or computer. If it looks clear and sharp at that zoom level, it will translate well into artwork.

Photos with Lots of Colour Work Best

In our experience, photos with rich colours in the background, setting, or clothing produce the most striking watercolour results. While we can always adjust colours or add custom tones to your artwork, the most vibrant pieces tend to start with colourful photos.

Black and White Photos

Black and white images can be converted into beautiful watercolour portraits. The artistic effect will follow the tonal range of the original image. If you would like a colour tint or full colourisation, let us know in your order notes and our designers will work with you.

Old or Damaged Photos

We can work with old photographs, including images with tears, scratches, stains, fading, or missing areas. For the best result, scan the photo at high resolution if possible. If you only have a physical print, take a well-lit photo of it with your phone, avoiding glare and shadows.

Pet Photos

Pet photos work wonderfully for watercolour portraits. Make sure your pet is clearly visible, in focus, and ideally looking toward the camera. Action shots can work too, but a still, well-lit image usually gives the best result.

Multiple Subjects

If your order includes multiple people or pets from separate photos, upload all the images you would like combined and leave a note describing how you would like them arranged. Our designers will handle the composition and send you a preview for approval.

What to Avoid

• Blurry or out-of-focus photos
• Very dark or heavily shadowed images
• Screenshots from social media or messaging apps
• Photos where subjects are partially cut off at the edges
• Very low-resolution images (smaller than 500 x 500 pixels)

Still Not Sure?

If you are not sure whether your photo will work, send it to us at info@ausomelovestudio.au and we will let you know before you order.