Ever wanted to surprise your friends by transforming into an excellent artist overnight? Unleash your inner creativity with the help of Artist's Eye, a utility designed to enhance your drawing and painting skills using a real pen or pencil on paper or canvas.

The process is simple: choose a model picture, such as a photo, and as you draw, view your work through your phone or tablet's camera. The app overlays the model image semi-transparently on top of your ongoing drawing, guiding you to outline the contours effectively. This technique mirrors the centuries-old method used with the camera lucida obscura (learn more).

For the best experience, secure your phone to a support stand to keep it steady, freeing both your hands for drawing. This innovative approach isn't about cheating; it's a new way to learn and work, enhancing your artistic skills.

To fully understand how to use Artist's Eye, be sure to watch the instructional video. Some users have given low ratings due to a misunderstanding of how the app functions. A helpful hint for users of newer Samsung and LG phones without a menu button: you can access the menu by long-pressing the task-switching button.

Awards and Recognition

Artist's Eye has received notable recognition, including an Honorable Mention in the Most Innovative App category at the Best App Ever Awards 2013 (see here, archived), and a Second Place in the Best Art App category at the Best App Ever Awards 2014 (see here).

This version of the app is a free trial supported by ads. If you enjoy using Artist's Eye, please support its development by purchasing the ad-free version. The app has been successfully 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).