Want to transform into a true artist and impress your friends with your newfound skills? Unleash your creativity with the Artist's Eye utility, designed to help you draw or paint using a real pen or pencil on paper or canvas. Simply select a model picture, such as a photo, and as you draw, view your work through your phone or tablet's camera. The model image will appear semi-transparently over your drawing, guiding you to outline the contours effectively. This technique echoes the centuries-old method of using a camera lucida obscura (see here).
For the best results, consider attaching your phone to a support stand to keep it steady, freeing up both hands for your artwork. This approach isn't cheating; rather, it's a modern way to enhance your learning and artistic process. Make sure to watch the instructional video to fully grasp how to use the app, as reviews indicate that low ratings often stem from misunderstanding its functionality.
A helpful tip: On newer Samsung and LG phones without a menu button, you can access the menu by long-pressing the task switching button.
Awards
- Honorable Mention in the Most Innovative App category at the Best App Ever Awards 2013 (link, archive).
- Second place in the Best Art App category at the Best App Ever Awards 2014 (link).
This version of the app is ad-supported and available as a free trial. If you enjoy using the application, please support its development by purchasing the ad-free version.
The app has been tested on various devices including the Samsung Galaxy S II (Android 2.3.3), Samsung Galaxy 10.1" tab (Android 3.1), HTC Flyer tab (Android 2.3.4), and Sony Xperia Z2 compact (Android 4.4.4).