Chill Out with Popsicolor
Popsicolor for iOS, normally $1.99
Popsicolor is one of the most unique photo apps I’ve ever tried. Part pop-art, part watercolor and ink, part block-printing(esque), this app turns even the mundane of photos into brilliant art. It’s slick. It’s sticky fun. And it’s totally cool.
Part pop-art, part watercolor and ink, part block-printing(esque)
Popsicolor first stumbled upon my radar in December 2012 when it received the first update since it’s release month in June 2012. I added it to my Wish List, then it popped up again in January 2013 with a price drop. The watery pop of color and the fact that it’s by TinRocket (the makers of Percolator), had me contacting the developer with an interest to review.
Lemonade Tangerine by notDelilah
The Package
I wasn’t prepared for how chill Popsicolor really is. I was hoping for some quick fun before I moved on and wound up with a delightful sticky grin after hours of artful bliss.
A delightful sticky grin!
This app is powerful. The UI alone makes me a little light-headed. It’s universal, has multiple sharing options and…wait for it. Has high resolution output. (That last one made me shout Popsicle® sticks!)
The Flavors
Colors are grouped into classic (8), chill (4) and cafe (4). You choose two for the ‘mix’ of colors (there’s also a ‘blend’ option). These are displayed as colored ice cream bars at the top and bottom of the screen. (Tip: This is the ‘paintbrush’ icon mode.)
Ink is black and the only option here is on or off. It can be a powerful force in your final result. And here is where I’d like to see some additional options for colored inked. Oh the possibilities give me shivers! (Tip: You’ll find this at the very end of your bottom ice cream bar choices on the far right.)
Tree print (no ink) by notDelilah
Tree print with Ink by notDelilah
There are five ‘intensity’ categories that house 16 different options. These affect how much the two colors seep into the canvas. Use one of the ‘classic’ modes for more focus, an ‘even’ effect for more overall pop, ‘edge’ or ‘obscura’ for a specific area. (Tip: Sunglasses or ‘shades’ icon. Scroll to the far right for a shuffle option.)
Also within intensity mode (shades icon), there are tools to enhance and invert which can completely transform your results. Don’t be surprised if you’ve fallen in love with a result, try out the invert and then gasp. You’ll also find the border option here (this is on/off only).
There are eight ‘blending’ categories that house 24 different options. These affect how the two colors interact. Whether they bleed into each, have more defined lines, mix together to create a different color, swirl, drizzle, etc. (Tip: Bull’s eye icon.)
The Sticky Fingers
Popsicolor comes with 12 presets that include images. These will give you a starting point for settings if you have something in mind. But I quickly found that just opening my image and gleefully pressing color bars, adding ink and going touch-crazy with the blend and intensity modes was for me.
Mint & Blueberry by notDelilah
Don’t be afraid to try any or all. Just remember to save (the heart icon will open your service and image options). There isn’t an undo. Which is okay for the most part because you can just reapply a setting. But if you’re four, six or twelve steps in and realize you really loved the second ‘print’ you created then you’d better have a really good memory to re-create it. So save yourself the trouble (oh yeah, I went there).
The Brain Freeze
Apps have delivered the power of artistic and innovative photo editing to the masses. Those of us, okay me, that never get the same result following a video for photo manipulation in one of those expensive programs, have unparalleled access to effortless and endless transformations of our work.
Popsicolor allows you to forge a masterful watercolor, a clever spin on pop-art and even a groovy block print. You can feel the sticky sweetness fire up your imagination. Experiment. Color outside the lines. Go bold and bright or eerie and subdued. Either way, Chill Out!
Lemonade & Licorice by notDelilah
This is one of the most stunning apps I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. So much so, it rates it’s own space on my screen (which means it’s not buried in a folder). Not only does it deserve a place of honor, I fully intend to print my art on canvas.
Eerie Delight by notDelilah
Let us know what you think of Popsicolor by sharing with us on Instagram using our #photocruncher tag or connect via Facebook.
About Marsha Bezzina
Marsha Bezzina has always enjoyed writing. But photography was mostly relegated to annual trips until the acquisition of her first smartphone, the iPhone 4s. Now this self-declared ‘mental crafter’ is a data hog – capturing moments, hoarding photo apps and editing with abandon. She is @notDelilah on Instagram but had to settle for @notDelilah_ on Twitter. Or check out her site, www.notDelilah.com
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