AKVIS Sketch is a program for conversion of photos into pencil sketches and watercolor drawings. Now you do not need to handle a pencil to feel like an artist. All you need to create your original work of art is good taste and AKVIS Sketch.

Features: AKVIS Sketch creates realistic color and black & white graphite and color pencil, charcoal sketches and water color painting effects out of your digital photographs. turns your photos into pencil sketches and watercolor drawings. Unlike the effects produced by filters in programs like Photoshop, this application creates an effect that is very close to something produced by a human artist. Create these stylized drawings for websites or advertising purposes. The program is available in two versions; as an stand alone program and as a plug-in to a photo editor. The plug-in version is compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro etc. The plug-in version can do batch processing and could be a tool to create cartoons out of home video productions.

There are several effects you could use. You can leave part of the photograph intact, thus creating a nice mix of photograph and a sketch/drawing. You are able to create a swirl in the background to create the effect of motion as also blurring of background so that too many details in the background of the photo does not divert attention from the main theme. Textures of canvas, a brick wall or corrugated paper etc. can be added to create additional effects. You can add an inscription that can be your signature or a message to friends and family with whom you are sharing the work of art.

Overall: A nice and simple program with an intuitive interface, quite fun to work with.