FoolProof Art Studio is Art in Motion 

SET SAIL

In a sea of apps, it’s tough to stand out.  You may grab hold of one, only to let it float away.  Snatch up another only to find it sinks like stone (and if you paid money for it you may feel like you swallowed salt water).  But FoolProof Art Studio is worth the swim.

This app puts a blank “canvas” over your photo; multiple ‘overlays’ such as canvas, wood & brick are offered.  Then it’s your job to ‘paint the canvas’ choosing a brush size and random ‘effects’ like saturation or contrast to reveal parts of the photo underneath.  (Tip: The ‘canvas’ choices are under settings and labeled as ‘background’, brush size and effects are under the artist’s palette icon.)

ENJOY THE BREEZE

The ‘painting’ that emerges will rely on how quickly you brush the canvas (faster for less detail and slower for highlighting certain aspects such as a face).  You can continuously change brush size and effects to get the feel you want.  Saturate a sky and let the landscape fade.  Use original photo colors to emphasize a person and let the surroundings get crazy color hues.  (Tip: If you like this concept, you may also want to try PhotoViva.)

One of my favorite photos from the spring – Bluebonnet Nirvana

You can create beautiful pieces of art from your photos quickly and best of all, easily.  The UI is simple and straightforward.  A double-tap will bring up a magnifier so you can ‘see beneath the canvas’ to highlight a particular area. (Tip: I had a bit of a problem with the magnifier until I realized I was a double-tap & hold kind of person.  If you quickly double-tap, not leaving your finger on the screen, it works smoothly every time.)

Soccer tournament shoot

DROP ANCHOR

So, you get a masterpiece.  But don’t take off that life vest just yet.  This little gem has a bonus.  Maybe you want something interesting for your website to show your creative process.  Or as a cool addition to your digital journal (try NoteLedge for iPad to combine text, photos, video and more).

No extra steps or worrying about mistakes/corrections.  The app automatically records your ‘session’ and magically wipes out your undo’s.  Choose from several options for the speed compression.  And you are left with a clean video showing your artistic expression come to life in strokes.  That’s right, a complete video of your progression from blank canvas to striking artwork.  (Time for a celebratory backstroke.)

Foolproof video

Combine that with the power of Ptch (a must-have app to create pic/vid compilations into a video with music & various ‘styles’) and you can have one or multiple before/during/after shots using your original pic, the video session and your final photo.

I made a quick one using the two shots above and the app-created videos.  Click here to see the Ptch.

ENJOY THE SUNSET

FoolProof is aptly named.  Anyone can operate this ship and feel like a seasoned Captain at the helm.  From the uncomplicated interface to the bonus video sequence, you’d be a Fool not to try it.  (*wink*)

Don’t forget to share your photos with us on Instagram by using our #photocruncher tag and your videos on Facebook.  We love to see our fellow photographer’s creations.

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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